Talk of the Town

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

 

Charity Register: July 6-7

July 06, 2012


Rally For Kids with Cancer

Southampton Fresh Air Home
What: The annual American Picnic is more carnival than picnic with games, ice cream, popcorn, hot dogs, and more. The festivities conclude with a renowned Grucci fireworks display over Shinnecock Bay accompanied by patriotic melodies. This year, with honorary chairs Christl and Kenneth Meszkat and cochairs Victoria and David Foley and Mary Kathryn and Alex Navab, among others, the American Picnic celebrates its 25th anniversary. Each year, the family-friendly celebration provides the Southampton Fresh Air Home with more than 40 percent of its annual operating costs.
When: Friday, July 6
Where: 1030 Meadow Lane, Southampton

Alexander Soros Foundation
What: The Global Witness Gala: Unmasked marks the first Alexander Soros Foundation-sponsored public event. Guests are encouraged to wear masks through the cocktail hour. The gala boasts a dinner, headline entertainers, and dancing. Filmmaker and producer Edward Zwick and ASF director Alexander Soros serve as hosts for the evening and promise to gather a number of renowned stars, tastemakers, and society figures including Anne Hathaway, Arianna Huffington, Robert Redford, and Emma Thompson, who all serve on the host committee.
When: Saturday, July 7
Where: Fairview Farm, 19 Horsemill Lane, Bridgehampton

Guild Hall
What: This year’s Season Spectacular brings two Tony Award-winning actors, Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, to the Guild Hall stage. The duo performs cherished musical numbers for a memorable and heart-warming evening. Musical theater fans can buy benefit tickets to support Guild Hall, and attendees are invited to a postshow dinner at a private residence. A VIP ticket gets audience members into a private preshow cocktail reception at the Elie Tahari shop.
When: Saturday, July 7
Where: Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton

Peconic Land Trust
What: Vineyards Vines hosts a “10-10” event for the Peconic Land Trust. Attendees benefit from 10 percent off all merchandise, and 10 percent of all proceeds collected throughout the evening supports the Trust’s land conservation work. Long Island artists Jackie Moore Watson and Jeff Muhs join the shopping festivity, and their works will be part of the Vineyard Vines fine art events throughout the summer.
When: Saturday, July 7
Where: Vineyard Vines, 35 Main St., Southampton

Rally For Kids with Cancer
What: Nic Roldan hosts the annual Charity Polo Classic for the second year to benefit Rally for Kids with Cancer. Last season, the polo match, cocktail party, and auction brought out the likes of Kelly Rutherford, Kathy Hilton, and Chris Bosh and raised $5,000 to help search for a cure for pediatric cancer.
When: Saturday, July 7
Where: The estate of Michael Burrico, Water Mill

Shelter Island Public Library
What: The Shelter Island Public Library is hosting its third annual photography exhibit, silent auction, and reception. Original shots of Shelter Island scenery are up for auction and proceeds support cultural and educational programs at the Shelter Island Public Library.
When: Saturday, July 7
Where: Shelter Island Public Library, 37 N. Ferry Road, Shelter Island

Southampton Historical Museum
What: Honorary chairs Bob and Mallory Pressman head this year’s Halsey House Gala to help ring in Independence Day. A colonial reenactment enlivens the affair while guests dine on savory dishes from a sushi bar provided by Schmidt’s market. Gala organizers anticipate raising $50,000 to benefit the museum’s education programs.
When: Saturday, July 7
Where: The Thomas Halsey Homestead, 249 S. Main St.

 

Dispatch: Stargazing; Harry Winston Launch; Beaches and Bays; and More

July 03, 2012

Annabelle Dexter-Jones, Andre Saraiva, Allison Sarofim, and Stuart Parr at the Harry Winston dinner at Sunset Beach

Stargazing
Celeb spotting and tweeting is a sport that diners, and passengers, from Southampton to Montauk love to loathe. Dispatches, for example, seems to be on the same train schedule as Anh Duong this summer. Last Friday, we took the 3:58 PM train on Friday, and this week, we were both in the Amagansett car on the 1:43 PM train.

Other stars spied this summer: at Nick and Toni’s, Billy Joel on the porch, Christy Turlington on a girls' night out, and Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas, before they got hitched; at Townline BBQ (for takeout), Mary-Kate Olsen with her older beau Olivier Sarkozy; at La Fondita, Liv Tyler and son tucking into fish tacos; at Indian Wells Tavern, Ethan Hawke slurping oysters on the half shell; at Rowdy Hall, on Tuesday of last week, Anjelica Huston having a margarita; and on Saturday, Dylan Lauren and her brother Andrew at Banzai Burger.

Harry Winston Launch at Sunset Beach
On Friday, Frédéric de Narp, the charismatic president and CEO of Harry Winston, hosted a glam dinner at Sunset Beach. He set a long, thin white table for 80 near a row of vineyard grapes on a hill behind the hotel’s restaurant. At sunset, as if on cue, the sky turned a fiery shade of orange. Later, Stuart Parr ended up taking the mic for an admirable rendition of “Sitting on the Dock of the Bay.”

Harry Winston dinner at Sunset Beach

“He gets bored,” quipped his gorgeous gal pal, actress Allison Sarofim, at the Perrier Jouët-fueled fête. The menu included crispy artichokes, oysters on the half shell, white gazpacho shots, salt-crusted fish, and pommes frites. New York-based rockers The Virgins played an intimate concert. And Celine of Les Canelés de Céline dished up delish mini-pastries. The occasion marked the launch of Winston’s zalium alloy Ocean Sport Chronographs. While some guests arrived by seaplane, my ferry back to the mainland included the cars of Russell Simmons, Anne Vyalitsyna, Patrick McMullan, and Derek Blasberg. 

Reed and Delphine Krakoff Exhibit Opening
On Saturday, an impressively slender Reed Krakoff held a viewing of an exhibit entitled "One Chair," actually a series of colorful felt chairs that he created with his wife, Delphine, an inspired interior designer. Harper's Books on Newtown Lane in East Hampton, where the show took place, has a quirky, fun assemblage of tomes. And down the street, painter Donald Sultan opened a show with punchy color at The Drawing Room.

Reed Krakoff

Kim Raver was the big name at The Nature Conservancy’s annual Beaches and Bays Gala, held at their Center for Conservation on Route 114 in East Hampton, also on Saturday. Apparently, her mother, Tina Raver-Meltesen, is a trustee of the Long Island branch of the organization. “I’ve been coming out here my whole life,” said the Grey’s Anatomy star, who was wearing a form-hugging dress by Dolce & Gabbana. 

The old Kaplan-Seabury estate, where the party took place, is a gracious 130-year-old farmhouse posthumously donated to the conservancy by Jacob “Jack” M. Kaplan, who, at one time, owned Welch's Grape Juice. His late wife, Alice Manheim Kaplan, was a superb art collector. Fun fact: she discovered the work of Egon Schiele after an elevator let her off on the wrong floor. Later, in 1995, Christie’s sold her Egon Schiele self-portrait for $1.872 million. Her daughter Elizabeth was married to the Uruguayan sculptor Gonzalo Fonseca for 20 years. And her grandson, Caio Fonseca, is a highly regarded painter who shows at Paul Kasmin Gallery. 

Marcus Samuelsson Book Release DInner
In Montauk, later that night, NYC’s Red Rooster chef Marcus Samuelsson cooked two seatings at Solé East. “Montauk is actually my favorite part of the Hamptons,” he told Dispatches. “But I ran a six-miler on the beach this morning, and my legs are killing me.”

—JEFFREY SLONIM

 
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