Jon Bon Jovi,
The Temptations,
Sarah McLachlan,
Patti LaBelle, and the
Beach Boys - sounds like this week's bill of fare at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center but its just a few of the big headliners who are playing for the swell set at private parties on the East End.
Motor City faves
The Temptations brought their finger snapping and fancy footwork to Robins Island for the birthday bash for
Louis Bacon's Big 5-0!! The lavish affair included a brilliant fireworks display that could be seen lighting the sky by the crowds swarming around the valet stand after Bay Street Theater's gala in Bridgehampton.
Jersey rocker
Bon Jovi is one of the stellar attractions that
Michele and
Bill Nuti have lined up for "An Evening Under the Stars" but the big draw is Bill and Hil as in former
President Bill Clinton and presidential hopeful
Senator Hilary Clinton. The art crowd and the big league Democratic donors are all whipping out their checkbooks for this unusual cocktail and dessert lawn party including
Ross Bleckner,
Jonathan Sheffer,
Chris Barley,
Dorothy Lichtenstein,
Susan and
Alan Patricof,
Barbaralee Diamonstein and
Carl Spielvogel, and
Robert Zimmerman.
Starbucks founder
Howard Schultz and his wife, in from the Pacific Northwest, have snared the soulful
Sarah McLachlan for their summer bash benefiting the Jane Goodall Institute and Robbins Wolfe Eventeurs for catering. That's a double bill we'd gladly pay for.
Jill and
Cliff Viner along with the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation are hosting the soulful Lady Marmalade herself,
Patti LaBelle, at the end of August at their home in Quogue. The intimate party is beach chic and will be produced by Barton G.
For the surfer crowd,
Bill and
Karie Gardiner are hosting a benefit concert at their James Lane farm, featuring
the Beach Boys with original members
Mike Love and
Bruce Johnston. The Gardiners are footing the bill for the two hour concert by the California dudes and have promised no speeches just plenty of those great tunes. Best thing of all, the concert benefits four local charities.
Heard from our pal sassy and smart funny lady
Angela LaGreca, who's soon be departing her day job as head writer at ABC TV's The View where she penned the chat shows Hot Topics. She'll follow good friend
Meredith Viera to NBC Today Show as a producer. Don't expect to see the six time MAC award winner on the late night club circuit she'll be punching the clock at 4 a.m. Monday to Friday. Meanwhile, Angela is still trading jibes with like of
Joy Behar,
Mario Cantone, and
Robert Klein on her "Laugh Out Loud With Angela LaGreca" show for Plum TV and is working on special pieces for Hamptons.com's Main Street Series.
Speaking of switches, local indie filmmaker
Shashi Balooja came out from behind the camera and onto the set for a role in the film "Who Needs em" co-starring
Eartha Kitt,
Vanessa Williams,
Stephen Spinella, and
Ben Vereen. To quote our always ebullient friend "it was a blast!" Shashi will next produce
Caytha Jentis' screenplay "Exposed".
Four time Tony award winning playwright
Terrence McNally and kilt wearing actor
Alan Cumming will be honored by Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth (LIGALY) at their annual On the Bay afternoon lawn party in Bellport on August 20.
It was limo gridlock both getting to and on the ferry to Shelter Island this weekend.
Perplexed locals couldn't figure out who all the beefy characters looking uncomfortable in Hampton chic were. Turns out they were all guests of Wrestling World Entertainment's
Vince McMahon whose daughter got hitched on the island.
Call her Miss Thing! Miss
Paris Hilton has become the new gay icon with her first single the reggae-infused "Stars are Blind" which is getting major play in the hottest gay dance clubs. Word is she'll be appearing at a string of gay night spots this summer. She told
Brandon Voss at HX Magazine, the dance bible of New York's revelers, "I'm not some kind of rock chick. I'm a club girl I'm like a gay guy that way. Ok, I love the same kind of music." Spotted in Southampton, Paris was wearing huge sunglasses like the kind old people wear after eye surgery. Maybe that accounts for the song title.
Although we scooped up lots of steals at
Super Saturday 9 a few hot DKNY tops, a Juicy Couture terry cover-up, and more shoes than we could carry, the perfect little black dress eluded us. Voila, we learn that Christie's will be auctioning off the dress of our dreams
Audrey Hepburn's little black frock done by
Hubert De Givenchy for her
Holly Golightly role in "Breakfast at Tiffany's". Now if we could only find a sponsor for the $13,000 it is said to command.
