Artists Andrew Hart Adler and Carolyn Beegan at Arthur T. Kalaher Fine Art opening. (Eileen Casey)

Southampton - The season is in full swing with lots of fun events that kept Hamptonites dashing from one fabulous soiree to the next.

Among the myriad of events on Saturday was the opening reception at Arthur Kalaher's new Sag Harbor gallery, Arthur T. Kalaher Fine Art, showing the works of Paton Miller, Abraham Rattner, Nahum Tschacbasov (deceased), and everyone's favorite punk - 'Steampunk' that is, Art Donovan, who also has a new book being released in August on this fantastical art movement. With local wines, and sushi from Sen, guests enjoyed the artwork and catching up with friends you only seem to see during the summer months.

Fun, fabulous Brit Colin Appiah is whipping up Electric Eel cocktails - pineapple, sage combo that is refreshing without being yucky sweet - at Ruschmeyer's in Montauk. Colin is a hoot and a half - seriously super charming and great fun. He's mixing it up with U'luvka Vodka throughout the summer.

Colin Appiah pouring Electric Eel at Ruschmeyer's. (Courtesy Photo: LSZ Communications)

More cocktails underway so you can get your v-fix with the "True Blood" Beverage. This blood orange soda is based on the fictional drink from the HBO hit series. Available in lightweight plastic bottles, the Tru Blood Beverage is the perfect way to vamp up your season watching this favorite. Serve the drink by itself or mixed into your favorite cocktail, and toast the new season in style! Currently available at the HBO Shop retail store in New York (42nd & 6th Avenue) and on line at www.store.hbo.com).

The recent opening reception for the "Super Nature" art exhibition featuring the work of Kathryn Lynch, Meghan Boody and Melinda Hackett at the 4 N Main Gallery in Southampton enjoyed a big turnout for the ladies and their art. These three female artists connected through friendship, East End/NYC homes and nature-based art.

The Tru Blood Beverage is available through the HBO store. (Courtesy Photo: ODA PR)

In NYC, Bohemia celebrated the launch of its limited edition Frida Kahlo-inspired packaging with an exclusive event at the Midtown Loft & Terrace. After a successful launch in Mexico, Bohemia's Frida Kahlo packaging makes it way to key U.S. markets from now until November 2011. The neck labels of the exclusive 12 oz. bottles prominently feature Kahlo's face as well as classic Mexican symbols, like flowers, hummingbirds and monkeys, often found in her artwork. The hammered gold, metallic cream, and brown tones of the thematic labels are inspired by the colors of Aztec tradition, further anchoring Bohemia's toast to Mexican folklore.

More than 200 attendees enjoyed live music from The Tollywood Allstars, delighted in the culinary stylings of Toloache's Executive Chef Julian Media and toasted with the specialty bottles inside a recreation of Frida's Casa Azul (Blue House) in Mexico City. Guests had the opportunity to have their portrait painted during the event and models dressed as Frida Kahlo posed for pictures throughout the venue.

To create momentum prior to the launch, Bohemia orchestrated a contest through Facebook, giving emerging artists an opportunity to submit art pieces inspired by Frida Kahlo's work and Bohemia's brand attributes. More than 20 paintings from artists around the country were on display. Carlos Boughton, Brand Director for Bohemia and Trinidad Fombella, Assistant Curator and Exhibitions Manager at El Museo del Barrio, thanked the crowd for their attendance and provided the much anticipated announcement of who would be taking home the $10,000 grand prize.

In third place was Jose Luis Padilla from Dallas, TX, with a prize of $2,000. Lizbeth Ortiz from Houston, TX was the second place winner of $5,000, and coming in first place was New York native Ernesto Camacho who addressed the crowd with appreciation and thanked the Bohemia brand team for creating a contest that provided artists the opportunity to showcase their work.


The 4th of July celebrations will be getting underway and below are a few happenings at local eateries and other fun events in the area:

Polly Onet, Jim Thomas and Diana Oswald (left to right) at the opening reception of "Super Nature" in Southampton. (Courtesy Photo: Kristen Tate)

 • Navy Beach (16 Navy Road, Montauk) has announced the music lineup for Independence Day weekend "Sunset Sets" from July 2 to July 4 starting at 6 p.m. The July 2 performance will be Telly Karoussos, whose style can be described as rock & roll. The July 3 performance will be Joe Delia and Thieves, whose style can be described as a blues-based surf rock and roll band. The July 4 performance will be Nancy Atlas, whose style can be described as rock & roll. Navy Beach is open seven days for lunch and dinner beginning at 12 noon, www.navybeach.com or call 631-668-6868.

 • South Edison (17 S. Edison Street, Montauk), continues its celebration of summer with live music in July. On Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2, Brooklyn-based Vince Giordano and the Nighthawks bring their Americana-pop-swing blend to South Edison. Among their many notable engagements are recurring appearances on the NPR radio program "A Prairie Home Companion" hosted by Garrison Keillor, and their music has been prominently featured in the award-winning HBO series "Boardwalk Empire." All performances are from 10 p.m. until 1 a.m. South Edison will be open for dinner seven days beginning at 5:30 p.m. (www.southedison.com, 631-668-4200.

Seth Herzog. (Courtesy Photo: Anya Garrett

 • Sole East Resort and The Backyard Restaurant (90 Second House Road, Montauk)celebrate July 4th all weekend long, beginning Wednesday, June 29th. They don't have fireworks but a full schedule of events will have guests laughing, dancing and relaxing, 631-668-2105, www.soleeast.com), including:

Wednesday, June 29, 10 p.m.
Funnyman Seth Herzog, whose career includes television appearances on "Late Night with Jimmy Fallon," "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "Chappelle's Show," VH1's Best Week Ever, and film roles in "Role Models," "Prime," "The Baxter," "The Ten," "Safe Men," and "In the Weeds, will have guests laughing into the wee hours.

Thursday, June 30, 8 p.m.
Relax poolside and enjoy the music of reggae legend Winton Irie (every Thursday).

Friday, July 1st, 8 p.m.
The band Jetty Koon performs live.

Saturday, July 2, 7 p.m.
The "Montauk Acoustic Sunsets" series launch. The series, an extension of the "Music To Know" (MTK) music festival features free, intimate, acoustic performances.


Sunday, July 3
Solé East invites you to experience a day of beauty and pampering when celebrity hairstylist Ric Pipino debuts services in the resort's "Zen Den." Between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., Pipino and his team will provide salon services, including "Tata Glow" mini-facials by Tata Harper and Vapour Makeup makeup applications by Anna Webber. Appointments are required so call 714-861-9355 ipino.com.

Sunday, July 3, 11 a.m. until 3 p.m.
The Backyard Restaurant offers a Brazilian brunch for $30 per person, including a complimentary caipirinha, Brazil's national drink. Bossa nova duo Ludmilla and Marcello Pimenta performs live.Sunday, July 3rd, 9 p.m. Dance the night away as a guest DJ turns up the volume in The Backyard.