Talk of the Town

Members-Only Club No. 50 Hosts Exclusive Grand Opening with Paul Oakenfold

July 12, 2012

Cabanas at No.50 at The Montauk Beach House

The new Montauk Beach House hotel has been open for a few weeks, but its members-only club, No. 50, drops this weekend with an ultra-exclusive grand opening bash headlined by Paul Oakenfold.

The Saturday event will begin at 2:30 PM with a fashion show by Minnie Rose, who has an adorable pop-up shop just off the pool. Nighttime festivities kick off at 4 PM with mega DJ Paul Oakenfold performing a set for an intimate, invite- and members-only crowd.

Opening night guests can rest on plush cabana beds, sip No. 50’s signature cocktails, order light bites from the grill, mingle with celebrity guests, or retire to the nearby beach for a late-night stroll. While RSVPs can be made, a membership is the easiest way to gain access to the party. Weekly ($250) and monthly ($600) memberships are available in addition to seasonal memberships ($1,100) that run through November. Guests of the hotel can enjoy No. 50's amenities for $50 per day, and local residents can nab a membership at a special $750 seasonal rate. Your non-membership card-carrying friends can tag along as well: No. 50 members are allowed up to five guests per day.

Membership perks include discounted food and cocktails, access to two pools near the ocean, reduced room rates, complimentary yoga, and exclusive invites to fashion, art, and music parties, as well as movie screenings.

The club's atmosphere is crisp and European, with hardwood decks, mostly white and neutral tones, and a French Riviera-meets-Montauk vibe. But, with a welcome statement that politely suggests that those looking for a “serene, tranquil, and boring” environment seek relaxation elsewhere, don’t expect the hotel and club’s scene to be as low-key as its décor. Weekly events include a Champagne-fueled industry night (Mondays), Twister party night (Wednesdays), and more. DJ Paul Sevigny recently spun at the club and celebrities will likely flock to the private retreat-like hotel, so keep your eyes peeled. 55 S. Elmwood Ave., Montauk, 668-2112; thembh.com   

—APRIL WALLOGA
PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS FOSTER

 

Don’t Miss: The Children's Museum of the East End’s Summer Family Fair

July 12, 2012

Mariska Hargitay at last year's Summer Family Fair

With sports, arts and crafts, music, special shows, science, cooking, and more, The Children's Museum of the East End (CMEE) celebrates everything wonderful about being a kid year-round. On Saturday, July 21 (10:30 AM–1:30 PM), the CMEE will host its biggest annual fundraiser, the Summer Family Fair.

It's all about the great outdoors this year, with splashy attractions like a live touch tank, water slide, and water games. Other activities including a rock climbing wall, camping, musical performances, art, and games designed to teach children about the natural world around them. And, to keep it all about the kids, an 8-year-old DJ will spin the music for the event.

Last year's fair raised $200,000 to benefit the museum's programs, such as expanding access to school field trips and developing Spanish-language training. The CMEE is passionate about addressing issues year-round, from childhood obesity and family literacy to domestic violence and autism, through community events that welcome all families.

Ashley Carlson, co-chair of the fair, says she and her husband fondly call the CMEE their children’s "living room." "With over 7,000 square feet of space, it is so easy to get to know other parents while you're watching your children grow," said Carlson. "Not only do we provide a fun and interesting play space for children, but we also reach out to the community at large. The staff spends as much time meeting with leaders of social service agencies as developing new programs for the museum."

Like many East End families that consider the museum an extension of their homes, Carlson’s children get so engrossed in the exhibits that they don’t want to leave. "It’s a reminder of how engaging the museum is for our children, and how it sparks imaginative play," she says.

Tickets are available in advance on the CMEE website ($150 for adults; $100 for kids) or at the door ($175 for adults; $125 for kids). There will be a large silent auction, and local caterer Debbie Geppert will provide the food. 376 Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Turnpike, Bridgehampton, 537-8250

—ANNIE FITZSIMMONS

 

Dispatch: Romney in Town; ScarJo at Townline; a Girls star at Global Witness; and More

July 11, 2012

Mitt and Ann Romney 

The East End Sees Red
The Clintons owned the Hamptons when they were campaigning for office. In fact, during their visits east, including Bill’s famed birthday party at Alec Baldwin’s house, they bonded with Arthur Wolf, the inspired chef at Smokin’ Wolf BBQ (formerly Turtle Bay), and ended up hiring him for numerous Hil- and Bill-related family fundraisers over the years.

Last weekend, when republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney touched down on the East End, it was as if we were all summering in a red state: Ron Perelman threw Romney a $25,000 per person lunch at The Creeks and David Koch had him over to his stately Southampton beach spread for a $75,000 suggested donation per plate dinner.    

Romney’s team allegedly stayed at Southampton Inn and also did a surveillance sweep of Koch’s property that included next-door neighbor Eric Villency’s parents' modernist aerie. By the way, Villency now has a sensationally hot Swedish gal pal; they'll be off to Capri soon.   

Spotted: ScarJo, a Beatle, and a Mad Man
Other celebs spotted last week include Sir Paul McCartney lunching at Hampton Chutney, Scarlett Johansson at Townline BBQ on the eve of July 4, tucking into barbecue pork and fries with a beefy, tattooed dude. The duo enjoyed a late-afternoon nosh in a quiet corner table inside. Howard Stern and Beth Ostrosky recently dined at 75 Main in Southampton. And at Nick & Toni’s, we eyed Lorne Michaels. Also spotted at Nick and Toni’s this past Friday were Nathan Lane and friends, Ellen Barkin dining alfresco, and newlyweds Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas.

On Saturday, Mad Men’s John Slattery and his sexy wife Talia Balsam, who recently took a room at The Enclave Inn, popped into Everything But Water on Newtown Lane in East Hampton, where Nanette Lepore was holding court. Balsam snapped up a colorful Lepore cover-up and tote. At the new Blue & Cream on Main Street in East Hampton, supermodel/jewelry designer Nicole Trunfio held a trunk show. Victoria’s Secret hottie Anne Vyalitsyna (aka Anne V) checked out her wares.  

Kellly Killoren Bensimon at the Charity Polo Classic

Charity Polo, Global Witness, and Love Heals
Also on Saturday, Talent Resources' Third Annual Charity Polo Classic took place at a dreamy new-ish private house on Deerfield Road in Water Mill. Talent Resources, founded by Mike Heller, a lawyer with a heart, put together the fundraiser that benefitted Rally for Kids with Cancer. Dispatches ran into Kelly Killoren Bensimon, just back from Vegas, Ramona Singer, and Countess LuAnn de Lesseps. We also crossed paths with event host Nic Roldan, the Palm Beach polo sensation, and Alan Lieberman, who looked like a movie star in polo gear with long, silvery hair.      

Alexander Soros, Drew Grant, and Alex Karpovsky at the Global Witness gala

Alexander Soros and Hollywood producer Ed Zwick hosted the Global Witness gala at Fairview Farm in Bridgehampton on Saturday, where M.C. Hammer took the stage with 12 dancers. “He waited until the very last song to do 'U Can’t Touch This,'” Waris Ahluwalia later told Dispatches (this writer, after he ducked out early). Global Witness exposes conflicts of interest and corruption in the use of natural resources around the globe. There were no Hammer pants, but we did spot George Soros, Alexander’s dad, Girls regular Alex Karpovsky, and a tent full of young, altitudinous models.     

Also tented—thank goodness, because the skies opened up—was the 13th Annual Love Heals jollification, which raised $300,000 at Luna Farm for AIDS education. The Patron mojito popsicles likely helped. A giant fake cake loaded with cupcakes was a crowd pleaser. Dispatches spotted Avis Richards, Kelli Delaney and Dr. Mark Kot, Peter Davis, Charlotte Ronson, and the omnipresent—this weekend, in any case—and seriously sexy Aussie Nicole Trunfio.

—JEFFREY SLONIM
PHOTOGRAPHY BY GETTY IMAGES (ROMNEY) MOISES DE PENA (BENSIMON); PATRICKMCMULLAN.COM (SOROS) 


      

 

Hamptonite of the Week: Brooke Alexander

July 09, 2012

Age: 49
Occupation: Actress; I’m getting ready to play Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate at Center Stage at the Southampton Cultural Center
Hamlet: Southampton

When did you start coming to the Hamptons?
I started coming to Montauk around 1986 and didn't really know Southampton at the time. I began going to Southampton when I met my husband in 2006.

Do you have an inner circle or group of friends that you hang out with most often in the Hamptons?
The first people I met out here were through my husband, Marko. One couple owns Plain-T. They have a son who’s our son's age and we also play tennis with them. Connecting with Michael Disher, director for Center Stage at Southampton Cultural Center and the upcoming performance of The Graduate, helped me tap into the Hamptons creative community.

What are your East End traditions or must-dos every summer?
Get a beach permit and go to the beach! My family and I take our son and the neighborhood kids to the beach for a few hours to play ‘crash the wave’ as often as possible. We also have a lemonade stand with a dynamite lemonade recipe. And I take a trip out to Montauk for a bonfire with girlfriends from the city.

Who throws the best parties?
David and Marty Hamamoto. We got married at their house on Flying Point Beach. They're also from Hawaii, like me!

Where do you go for a drink and what’s your usual?
Little Red. They make a really nice margarita with fresh squeezed lime.

What’s the best thing you’ve ever eaten in the Hamptons?
We love to get ice cream at St. Ambroeus. The passion fruit and coconut sorbets are pretty impressive. I also really enjoy Muse in the Harbor's simply grilled Atlantic salmon. But, I’m the type of girl that loves a good steak and a glass of red wine. The best steak in town? My husband's in our own backyard. We get our meat from Hamptons Prime Meats in Southampton.

Where do you go to totally unplug?
Little Plains and Halsey Neck Beach, or running down Meadow Lane or on the beach.

What’s your summer anthem?
“Kashmir” by Led Zeppelin. My son, Jace, runs around the house pretending he's jamming out like Jimmy Page.

What’s the last thing you bought in the Hamptons?
Guava Kombucha, over at Wild By Nature in Hampton Bays. I really want to buy a bathing suit top from Malia Mills.

Last night of the summer, where can we find you and what are you doing?
The tennis court, and then staying on the beach as late as we can to watch the sunset.

What’s the difference between a true Hamptonite and a weekender?
Knowing the back roads. It took me about two years to learn them.

 

Summer Music: Headliners, Cover Bands, Local Acts, and More

July 06, 2012

 
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