Talk of the Town

This Saturday: New SummerDocs Screening with Alec Baldwin

August 02, 2012

A scene from Ethel, screening at Guild Hall on August 13

This Saturday, East End cinephiles will file into Guild Hall’s John Drew Theater to watch the latest film in the annual SummerDocs series, How to Survive a Plague. In partnership with the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF), three independent movies will screen throughout the month of August, all to be followed by Q&A sessions with host and HIFF board member Alec Baldwin. Here's more on this month's SummerDocs.

How to Survive a Plague, August 4 (8 PM): Award-winning journalist David France’s first foray into directing focuses on the early years of the AIDS epidemic and the activist group ACT UP. Amassed mostly with archival footage, the film showcases personal stories within the historical context of the decade. This film will premiere at Sundance on September 21.

The Zen of Bennett, August 13 (8 PM): Singer Tony Bennett reflects on his 60-year career with behind-the-scenes footage of some of his most famous collaborations with recording artists such as Lady Gaga and the late Amy Winehouse. The film was conceived and produced by his son Danny Bennett and filmed by Academy Award winning cinematographer Dion Beebe.

Ethel, August 31 (8 PM): Emmy Award-winner Rory Kennedy traces the life of her mother Ethel Kennedy in this deeply personal documentary. The film features interviews with Ethel and her family, and focuses on her marriage to Robert F. Kennedy and raising their 11 children after his death. It is scheduled to premiere on HBO in October.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to guildhall.org or visit the Guild Hall Box Office. 158 Main St., East Hampton, 324-0806

Festival Reboot: Escape to Montauk at Solé East

August 02, 2012

Solé East

Despite some recent controversy, Escape and Solé East’s three-day Escape to Montauk event is all set to begin this Friday, August 3 at 6 PM. The second annual festival, which last year was called “Escape 2 New York,” appeared to be in jeopardy in mid-July after Solé East partner Chris Jones released a statement saying the event was “totally inappropriate” for the posh hotel’s residential neighborhood.

But organizers of Escape to Montauk have already seemed to realize the importance of currying favor with local residents. The event has been scaled down from last year’s format, admittance limited, and hours kept reasonably between 10 AM and 9 PM at the very latest.

Now billed as a “boutique celebration,” the three-day music and arts festival will run until 5 PM on Sunday and featureart exhibits, yoga, face painting, and pop-up stores. Music will also be a huge draw at the event, with acoustic artists Federico Aubele, BP Fallon,  and Saul Kurtz slated to perform alongside the Hamptons’ own DJ Twilo and Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes, just to name a few.

And though the event is free, attendance will be limited daily and an RSVP required for entry. For those guests wanting to gain priority access, Escape is offering $20 VIP wristbands online that will also allow attendees to receive discounts on food, drinks, and more. 90 Second House Road, Montauk, 668-2105; RSVP to escape@soleeast.com

—MEGAN WILLETT

Dispatch: Super Saturday, Art for Life, and More from the Biggest Weekend of Summer

August 01, 2012

James Marsden, Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, and Liv Tyler at the premiere of Robot Frank

Before the Storm
Two Sundays ago, on an evening with pleasantly dry skies, The Peggy Siegal Company screened Disney’s The Odd Life of Timothy Green at the sumptuous Goose Creek estate in Wainscott. Francine LeFrak wore spectacular bling from her fair-trade company, Same Sky. I also spotted Katherine Bryan, writer George Gurley’s mom. Bryan, with a series of checks, apparently empowered her son to write George & Hilly: The Anatomy of a Relationship, the hilariously dysfunctional tale of Gurley and his then gal pal’s couples therapy. George and Hilly were married the weekend before last; so congrats all around.

My 14-year-old son Finbarr, a tough critic, loved Odd Life, the story of a couple who have trouble conceiving and get an answer to their prayers.

Last Friday, Dispatches drove out east in burning hot traffic, gladly pausing at the tony Fordune Drive home of Roger and Robin Meltzer for The Alzheimer’s Association’s Rita Hayworth Gala Kick Off. Ron Wendt Design flew in bright blue hydrangeas from the Netherlands for the party.

The rambling backyard oasis sure beat the LIE. Marlyn Sexton, Sharon Bush, and Somers Farkas were so nice to my son, and Baroness Sheri de Borchgrave brought him over to meet Jay McInerney.

That night, Andrew Saffir’s Cinema Society screened Robot and Frank, starring Frank Langella as an aging cat burglar, at Jerry Della Femina and Judy Licht's fab spread on the ocean in East Hampton. Lucy Sykes saved me a comfy couch poolside, where the movie was screened. I spotted Liv Tyler, who plays Langella's daughter in the film, lip-locking with her young beau, 24-year-old Theo Wenner (Jann’s son). And later, with s’mores roasting nearby, Matthew Settle told me about his new app that will allow us all to stream a lifetime of self-shot videos at high speed. Early in the evening, Langella sweetly walked Barbara Walters down the wooden stairs to the beach.

Kelly Ripa and Hilary Rhoda at Super Saturday 15

Monsoon Jollifications
Despite a rainy forecast, Saturday was the most social day of the summer. Under the tents at Super Saturday, I ran into Kelly Ripa, who was still talking about the year everyone almost got trampled fighting for Marc Jacobs bags. Nick Loeb, Sofia Vergara’s fiancé, discussed his company, Onion Crunch, which makes a crispy onion topping for hot dogs. His grandparents, by the way, donated Picasso’s Seated Harlequin to the Met.

Shopping under the big top, I saw bright shirts at the Polo Ralph Lauren booth; black fleece suits at Brooks Brothers; and colorful ties and shirts at Thomas Pink. My wife cleaned up at Charlotte Ronson and Nanette Lepore. And I nabbed a stylish orange beach purse for a friend at Talbots.

For the second week running, Bridgehampton Polo was rained out, but the soirée in the tents continued with mounds of Pointy Snout caviar. Private seating is sponsored by Davidoff and Zen Air, which was founded by Gabby Karan De Felice's hunky husband, Gianpaolo De Felice, who was previously a pilot for Alitalia.

At the 2012 Great Chefs Dinner benefiting Hayground School, Plaza Café’s seared scallops with corn polenta were mouth-watering, Lure Fishbar’s oysters were big and scrumptious, and the D’Artagnan duck hot dog with foie gras may have shortened my life, but I’ll likely die with a smile.

Rufus Wainwright; Stefano Tonchi and Lisa Perry at The Big Bang

Meanwhile, artist Paul McCarthy created a giant inflatable butt-plug for The Big Bang—the Watermill Center’s annual summer benefit—and portly nude monsters wearing full body paint and big black wigs danced beside a 10-foot penis onstage. Watermill Center founder Robert Wilson and his mad followers titillated and shocked without alienating, even in the pouring-down rain.

At Art for Life’s Living In Color benefit, at Russell Simmons' house, Nick Cannon correctly mentioned that he deserved “an award” for getting Mariah Carey there on time to receive her award. She wore a fuchsia gown by Roberto Cavalli.

Also spotted: Emma Watson poncho shopping at Christopher Fischer in East Hampton; A-Rod, Barbara Walters, Ramona Singer, and Sonja Morgan at 75 Main. At Rose Evangelista’s (cousin of Linda) just-opened Sotto Sopra, guests have already included Alec Baldwin and Michael Kors. Colin Cowie spent a night at Southampton Inn. On Sunday, Candice Bergen dined at Rowdy Hall. Joy Behar ordered the crabmeat stuffed lobsters on Thursday at Bostwick’s. And regulars Alec Baldwin and Hilaria Thomas, decamped to Nick and Toni’s both on Wednesday and Sunday.

—JEFFREY SLONIM

For more entertainment and society news, visit jeffreyslonim.com or follow @JeffreyJSlo on Twitter

Scenes from the Weekend: Super Saturday, Art for Life, and Beyond

July 30, 2012

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