Lisa Dee of Concerts for a Cure addresses the crowd in Riverhead. (Nicole Barylski)

Southampton - The season is definitely underway with so many events happening both for charity, and just plain fun!

On Friday, June 3, 2011, many gathered at The Vail Leavitt Music Hall for the first of many Concerts for the Cure benefits. The benefit was hosted by Lisa Dee and included music from four bands, including Lo Fi 3, Scott Hopson/Soundsource, Boss 54, and Deep Rising. The bands played original music, as well as some rocking covers.

A silent auction and a 50/50 raffle were also held. The mission of Concerts for a Cure is to raise $1 million for cancer with half the money going to research and and the other half going to support cancer related organizations including the American Cancer Society, Cancer's Care, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society and Make-A-Wish.

This was the first of a series of local concerts and fundraisers with the goal of hosting a major concert event at Radio City Music Hall, featuring top national artists as the grand finale some time during 2012.



Concerts for a Cure was started by Dee who lost her son to leukemia. It started with a dream she had while her son was going through treatment - that there has to be a cure to cancer. Her message to the crowd was "Always live dreams to the fullest and nothing is impossible with the power of a can do attitude."

NYAAR founder Dolores Rodrigues with Grammy Award winner Roberta Flack show a little love. (Courtesy Photo: NYAAR)

Their next benefit will be held some time during the fall at the Westbury Theater. For more information go to www.concertsforacure.com.

And More. . .

 • Dennis Rodman celebrated his 50th birthday on Saturday at a packed AXE Lounge, where guests danced to tunes spun by DJ Phresh. The event was presented by INKED Magazine.

 • The 19th Annual Southampton Fresh Air Home Decorators, Designers, Dealers Sale, Auction and Cocktail Party took place in Southampton on Saturday, June 4, 2011. The Southampton Fresh Air Home is a not-for-profit residential camp for physically challenged youth. Their mission is to provide an enriching, recreational camping experience. We are committed to helping their campers develop physically, emotionally, and educationally, with the goal of fostering self-esteem, maturity and independence through a broadly balanced program, while providing their families with a well-deserved respite.

 • Grammy Award Winner Norah Jones was spotted celebrating a birthday with band members while comedian Colin Quinn enjoyed a lobster entrée on the aft deck at The Boathouse restaurant and lounge in East Hampton.

Party on at AXE Lounge. (Rob Rich)

 • Rodman was also spotted Friday spending time with Southampton Inn's friendly staff before having a bite at East End hot spot Southampton Social Club.

 • Dutch Model Annette Roque-Lauer was seen purchasing a navy pullover and handbag at Christopher Fischer in East Hampton.

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Guests enjoy Dennis Rodman's 50th Birthday Party at AXE Lounge. (Rob Rich)

NY Abandoned Angels Rescue Cocktail Party was a big bark as Grammy Award Winner Roberta Flack performed her hit "Killing Me Softly with His Song" at the piano before auctioning off a personal vocal lesson which sold for $6,000. Other silent auction prizes included a stay at the Chambers Hotel, a necklace designed by Vera Wang, and dinner at STK, among others. NYAAR is a Queens-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and re-homing of Cocker Spaniels and other breeds, and they hosted their first annual cocktail party in Manhattan where they raised both awareness and funds to help local dogs in need.

"So far, we've raised approximately $25,000 which will help to lower our veterinary bill balances tremendously," said Madeline Hult Elghanayan, co-chair of NY Abandoned Angels Rescue and the event. "We have a lot of dogs in our rescue that are waiting for medical treatments and surgeries, so we truly appreciate any help the public may offer." The funds raised at the event were generated from a variety of sources including corporate sponsorship, individual donors, ticket sales, a silent auction, and general donations.

"I'm thrilled that so many people came out to support our rescue," said Dolores Rodrigues, founder, NY Abandoned Angels Rescue. "In addition to monetary donations, we are always in need of foster homes for our homeless Angels, so the more awareness about our organization we generate, the better."

Musician Jeff Leblanc performed to a packed house at the Southampton Publick House on Saturday. If you are in the mood for some live music next weekend make sure you stop by next Saturday, The Harbor Drive Band will be making its debut starting at 10 p.m.

For a little culture, check out the Keszler Gallery in Southampton. The June 2011 Group Exhibition features Peter Anton, Banksy, Aldo Chaparro, Zhuang Hong Yi, Jerome Lucani, Wolfgang Ludes, and Russell Young. Later this summer, the gallery will host two important exhibitions - Russell Young: "American Envy II" and Banksy "Street Works."

There you have it. . .