within the hedges

Within The Hedges - Thanks to the efforts of a small group of loyal supporters who wanted to chase away the winter blues and help their favorite children’s organization, The Children's Museum of the East End (CMEE) held its first annual "Snow Ball," an evening of cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, DJ and dancing at 75 Main to benefit the museum which had weathered some hard times this last year like many of our local not-for-profits.

Within The Hedges - For a recent South Fork Winter Supper, Lynn Egan of the Southampton Historical Museum wisely turned to East End native and master chef Mary Spellman to create a dinner relying only on locally raised products.

Within The Hedges - It wasn't a high school dance that had the Hampton Bays High School packed on Friday night, no, it was the Third Annual Hampton Idol competition. Over 300 supporters came out on a rainy night with donations for the local food pantries to cheer on the 20 middle and high school hopefuls that would take the stage during the three-hour show.

Within The Hedges - Halloween weekend brought out the style with a 1930's Hollywood inspired gala at the Suffolk Theatre in Riverhead and a fun filled night at the Southampton Publick House. In Manhattan, the parties were too numerous to count while Jamie Drake launched his new book, "Jamie Drake’s New American Glamour".

Within The Hedges - Parties continue with a lavish benefit for the Stephanie Stiglich Cancer Research Center. Rabbi Marc Schneier and others welcomed the upper echelon of the Jewish community and New York society for Eden Fine Art opening with a celebrity packed guest list. In the Hamptons, Beau Hulse and L.A. Woman rocked Madame Tong's in Southampton and chili was on the menu at Martha Clara Vineyard.

Within The Hedges - Legendary documentary filmmaker Albert Maysles, who has chronicled the famous and infamous moments in contemporary culture, had two reason to celebrate at his annual holiday bash with 500 friends – the 50th anniversary of his landmark career and the 30th anniversary of his critically acclaimed look at another side of Hamptons life Grey Gardens.

Within The Hedges - New York celebrated the opening of the first charter school dedicated to students with Autism with a cocktail reception at P.S. 50 in Harlem. Meanwhile, over 500 guests attended the glamorous event held at The Seventh Regiment Armory on Park Avenue at 67th Street that raised over $100,000 for The Boys’ Club of New York.

Within The Hedges - Julie Andrews and Alec Baldwin served as hosts as Bay Street Theatre held its 15th Anniversary Benefit Gala at The Rainbow Room at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan on Monday, March 6, 2006. House-Home-Hope was the theme of the 18th Annual “Open Your Heart” Auction where the worlds of art, design and fashion converged in support of Bailey House on February 16th.

Within The Hedges - It was a networking night-out as the Parrish Art Museum's hosted it's 3rd Annual Two Corks and a Fork event. Over 180 local businesses and employees enjoyed a night out sampling hors d’oeuvres and fine wines from East End vineyards. Back in NYC, the CDCH Foundation for Special Children is held its 7th annual spring benefit, "Mardi Gras", honoring The Emeril Lagasse Foundation.

Within The Hedges - Alicia Silverstone honored fellow animal advocate Frances Hayward of Grey Gardens in Long Island and her rescued Shepard mix, Amigo, during Hollywood Life's Fifth Annual Breakthrough of the Year Awards. The New-York Historical Society President Louise Mirrer and the Young Friends Committee presented “An Evening at the Society: Recalling the Speakeasy Era" and a week later honored Dan Lufkin, Edmund Duffy, Jack Nash, and Norman L. Peck at the opening reception for “Audubon’s Aviary”.

Within The Hedges - Celebrating the wonderful parts of the Hamptons was the theme of last week. In NYC “Designing the Hamptons: Portraits of Interiors” hit the party scene with a bash hosted by Mayer Rus. The Parrish Art Museum's Business Council spent a lovely evening at Wolffer Estate. SYS's Oriental themed event raised record breaking numbers for the organization. Wolffer Estate was the spot for the Group for the South Fork's annual gala benefit which raised over $690,000.

Within The Hedges - Though deemed worldwide as an arbiter of fashion and possessing the most discerning eye for new talent, Kal was equally famed for his unique personal style. Opening the Bloomingdale’s sponsored tribute was the store’s CEO, Michael Gould who noted, “Kal’s destiny was to be a teacher, mentor, a tutor and oh how he succeeded,” noting such talents be had championed as Donna Karan, Perry Ellis, Marc Jacobs, Elie Tahari and Zac Posen.

Within The Hedges - What a whirlwind of a week filled with movie premiers, grand opening affairs, celebrities, fabulous food, and more art than we can imagine. We enjoyed ourselves immensely at the Design Studio, the screening of “You, Me and Dupree”, Ralph Lauren on Jobs Lane, K-N-O-C-K-O-U-T, Scope Art Fair, and the Whaling Museum Luau. We then switched into high gear and rounded out the party scene with Jim Lebenthal as he celebrated his book, reflected on art at the Watermill Center, stopped by the Showhouse, and dipped into the pool at Art For Progress.

Within The Hedges - Some of the Hamptons favorite socialites stopped by Bloomies to celebrate the upcoming Winter Ballet Ball and a new partnership with Waterford as they introduced The Waterford Ballet Collection. Simply lovely! Bravo!

Within The Hedges - The Horticultural Alliance of the Hamptons started the weekend with their annual plant sale. On the North Fork, at Cecily's Love Lane Gallery in Mattituck, the Spring Quartet Art Show opened. Up in The Springs, the newly renovated Ashawagh Hall was the setting for a massive show by the members of Photographers East. On Sunday, there was a brilliant marathon of readings from the recently released “Long Island Sounds 2007 From Maspeth to Montauk and Way Beyond” at the quaint North Sea Community House. And, in New York, the annual Drama Desk Awards, one of the theater season’s most eagerly anticipated events, saluted the outstanding talents of the 2006-2007 season.

Within The Hedges - The Hayground School presented the Third Annual Hayground School Creative Orchestra Concert. It was over to Cellar Wine Merchants' exhibition of works by local artists curated by Karyn Mannix and Vito Sisti. Then off to the Parrish Art Museum for the opening of Raymond Loewy, Designs for a Consumer Culture. Bay Street Theatre screened The Big Country. And the ladies were honored at the Women’s Project 22nd Annual Women of Achievement Gala held in the Pegasus Suite of the Rainbow Room.

Within The Hedges - Daytime TV came to Nikki Beach midtown to celebrate the nominees. Career Transition for Dancers 22nd Jubilee, Dance Rocks at City Center hosted a kickoff luncheon at famed theatrical watering hole Sardi’s for their committees. The Beach Bar in Hampton Bays provided the perfect home for the Hampton Bays Beautification Association's Garden party. The 1st Annual Upscale Barn Sale went on despite the inclement weather. Southampton Youth Services brought the Scottish Highlands to Bridgehampton. On Sunday, the skies smiled on the Hamptons Concours D’Elegance.

Within The Hedges - Publicolor made a splash and covered the guests in Tyvek before they brought out the paint. This week was a great one out East for music lovers of every stripe. From Ludmilla at Le Chef in Southampton, jazz at Estia Cantina, a jam session at Bay Street, and the first ever Hampton Idol - what a weekend. Congrats to Kristin Steinke, the winner of Hampton Idol!

Within The Hedges - The Parish Art Museum hosted a weekend long automobile display inspired by their Raymond Lowey exhibition. Guild Hall presented the second half of their member’s exhibition, this time showcasing last names M-Z. East End Books hosted the opening of "The Art of the Handbag" by Blanca Ricardo. Corcoran Cares held their kickoff event at a Water Mill property listed for $19.9 million by Gary Depersia, Vice President of The Corcoran Group. Bravura Art and Objects hosted a brilliant exhibition of Nahum Tschacbasov's work.

Within The Hedges - Art Solar came to Southampton with Heaven and Earth at USB Financial. Three Photographers showed at Bravura. The Southampton Fresh Air home threw open their doors for their annual summer kickoff and Decorators-Designers-Dealers sale. Planned Parenthood Hudson-Peconic's 20th annual Benefit and Auction was hosted by Lisa Perry in North Haven. The Squiretown Circle came to the Rogers Mansion. The Parrish Art Museum opened Studio as Muse in grand style.