July 19-21 2024 – The Busiest Weekend in the Hamptons Yet

July 19-21 2024 – The Busiest Weekend in the Hamptons Yet

By: Lieba Nesis

The Hamptons is having its hottest summer as evidenced by JLo’s decision to flee Ben in California in order to spend some quality “me time” in her $10 million 8,660 square foot home in Water Mill.  “Jenny on the Block” has been all over the Hamptons working out at Equinox Bridgehampton, having dinner at Southampton’s 75 Main, and on Sunday holding her 55th birthday at Arthur & Sons in Bridgehampton.

Lopez has stolen the summer as every outfit and move she makes is breathlessly documented around the globe-if she was in Mykonos or Italy she would receive a tenth of the publicity.  Her deliberate public appearances say hey Affleck I don’t need you I’m having a great time on my own biking and yachting without your morose demeanor ruining the fun-Affleck was never a big fan of the fancy Hamptons anyway-as Dunkin’ Donuts are tough to find (there are 4 stores).

If you weren’t on the list for Jenny’s Bridgerton themed birthday bash there was more than enough to do in the Hamptons with nearly ten events on the weekend alone.  My fun started on Thursday July 18th as William and Mar Morosse hosted a night of flamenco and art at their barn in Southampton.  Sonia Olla and Ismael Fernandez flew in from Madrid to teach Hamptonites Jean Shafiroff, Nicole Salmasi, Maria and Ken Fishel, Elizabeth Steimberg, Ann Van Ness, Fern Mallis and Janna Bullock what it means to dance with passionate abandon. Having attended hundreds of Hamptons parties this one surpassed them all with the epic gift of a silk screen framed self portrait to all attendees handcrafted by contemporary artist Pierre d’Argyll.  I am betting the new trend in dinner parties will be walking away with one’s own likeness in tow-a truly unforgettable parting memento.

The hostess Mar’s impactful friendship with a Jewish college roommate moved her to pen a book on Jewish art history entitled “From Covenant to Creativity” a fascinating read documenting the momentous contributions of Jewish artists to the cultural realm.  Friday July 19th was no less eventful beginning with a cover party for actress Leesa Rowland at Biba Southampton where guests such as Julia Haart squashed into the store to pick up the “Manhattan” magazine, grab some sweet treats and champagne and toast Leesa’s grand debut.  At 5 PM guests, including publicist extraordinaire Norah Lawlor, made their way to the French Heritage Society Cocktail Party held at the home of philanthropists Maria and Ken Fishel in Bridgehampton.

This is one of ten summer events held at the Fishel’s palatial estate and for $500 dollars guests were treated to snacks, cocktails and lively music.  Dedicated to protecting the French architectural and cultural legacy both in France and the United States, the Heritage Society has raised $2.6 million for the restoration of Cathedral Notre Dame.  Ann Van Ness, Cece Black, Elizabeth Stribling, and Jean Shafiroff have been active participants in this dynamic society for nearly a decade.

Saturday July 20th was the busiest day of the summer with The Longhouse Reserve Gala in East Hampton, The Polo match at the Fishel Estate which gathered over 1100 attendees, the Southampton Animal Shelter Gala, the Gods Love cocktail party at Lisa and James Cohen’s estate in East Hampton, The Haiti Benefit Bash at the East Hampton airport, a music party at Peconic Bay and the list goes on.  I was fortunate to attend the 15th Annual Animal Shelter Unconditional Love Gala as the guest of Jean and Martin Shafiroff-dedicated animal lovers who have supported this organization since its incipience 14 years ago.

This year $1,000 tickets were sold out as honoree Dave Portnoy and his equally famous dog Miss Peaches made their much anticipated debut to a roaring crowd at the tented Wickapogue Road edifice.  One of the leading no-kill animal shelters on Long Island the shelter relies on the generosity of volunteers and donors to provide housing, food, medical treatment, training and rehabilitation for homeless animals.  Portnoy spoke movingly about his adopted dog Miss Peaches, who was clad in doggie couture, saying the pitbull had changed his life for eternity while encouraging audience members Brooke Shields, and Jill Rappaport to adopt. Cathy Bissell received a Lifetime Achievement Award as hungry guests dined on an appropriately vegetarian dinner of eggplant and salmon followed by lively music and dancing.

Animal loving guests bid on items such as Yankees and Ranger’s tickets, as well as vacation getaways and a yachting and Tiffany’s experience.  Jean Shafiroff clad in a floor length Carolina Herrera gown made a generous donation along with purchasing a table as she and her family have adopted four much pampered dogs. Bilboquet Sag Harbor is still the place to be Saturday night so I made my way to the lively bar and dancing scene with an after party at Southampton’s Bijoux nightclub.

A relaxing Sunday began with a luncheon at the magnificent Southampton beachfront home of real estate mogul Janna Bullock toasting designer to the stars Frederick Anderson for his birthday and the opening of his new store at 110 East 31st street.  Fashion stalwarts Fern Mallis, Jean Shafiroff, Maria and Ken Fishel, Enrico Bruni, Nicole Salmasi, Pamela Morgan, Lucia Hwong Gordon, Candace Bushnell, joined legends R. Couri Hay and Patrick McMullan for one of those perfectly crisp afternoons. Fresh corn, sparkling caesar salad, refreshing sangrias, and a homemade birthday cake were perfectly executed by hostess with the mostess Bullock.

As news spread Biden was stepping down guests excitedly discussed replacements as homemade birthday cake made its rounds.  The Hamptons summer excitement is under way as the next two months show no signs of slowing down.