The SPARK Hot File: Who’s Making Summer Sparks

From celebrity sightings and literary legends to theater, art, music and memorable Hamptons moments, here’s who’s creating buzz across the East End this summer.

Summer in the Hamptons always brings memorable moments, familiar faces and unexpected encounters. From celebrity sightings and literary legends to theater, art, music and parties, here’s who’s making summer sparks across the East End.

Bethenny Frankel

For someone who traded the Hamptons for Florida, Bethenny Frankel has been spending plenty of time out East — well, west of the Shinnecock Canal, as some would point out. Frankel has been enthusiastically showcasing the “non-bougie” bars and restaurants she’s discovered, proving you don’t need a sky-high bill or a Manolo Blahnik crowd to enjoy a great meal. Now she’s stirring up even more conversation with her upcoming Supermodel Café in East Quogue. Read the story.

The Spinners at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center

WHBPAC is having quite the summer with an eclectic mix of performers and lots of sold-out shows. The legendary Spinners made magic  and blew the roof off the house (just wait til the expansion at WHBPAC — that will be an even bigger roof). Kudos to Julienne Penza -Boone and the hardworking staff and volunteers at WHBPAC who make magic happen there night after night.

Bonnie Comley & Stewart Lane

Tony Award-winning producing team Bonnie Comley and Stewart Lane are known for their string of Broadway hits and Tony Awards, but has the acting bug finally bitten? The duo made cameo appearances in Bay Street Theater’s production of Dear Evan Hansen, currently running in Sag Harbor (see our SPARK Event Picks). The producing team appears in the video montage featuring community members talking about Evan.

Comley joked, “We’re still a long way from paying the rent with our acting wages, but us kids gotta start somewhere!!!”

Jay McInerney and Robert Zimmerman

Book lovers have one of the Hamptons’ biggest weekends ahead as East Hampton Library’s Authors Night returns Saturday. Among the more than 100 participating writers is acclaimed novelist Jay McInerney. It won’t be his first literary event this summer — he recently appeared in conversation with Southampton public relations executive and political commentator Robert Zimmerman at the Gold Coast Book Fair in Oyster Bay. McInerney will be at Authors Night in East Hampton with his book, See You On the Other Side.

Jordan Marsch

Real estate super broker and entrepreneur Jordan Marsch of SERHANT. always seems to find himself where the buzz is. Then again, he often creates the buzz. His appearance at Baker House 1650 during the Paz Lifestyle pop-up featuring sustainable luxury artisans in July had plenty of phones pointed in his direction as guests captured the moment.

Joy Behar, Rosie O’Donnell

Joy Behar, along with producers Rose Caiola and Cyrene Esposito, was on hand to support Rosie O’Donnell’s opening-night performance of Common Knowledge. Also cheering Rosie on were Tovah Feldshuh and Julie Halston. Next up for Behar: Bonkers in the Boroughs comes to Bay Street Theater Sept. 2-6.

Chad Smith

Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith continues to pay it forward, sharing his recovery journey while supporting youth mental health, addiction prevention and music education. The sold-out Generation S.O.S. Summer Celebration in Water Mill featured Smith in conversation with actor Jason Biggs about recovery and resilience. The evening drew families, community leaders and elected officials in support of the organization’s mission. Smith’s brother-in-law, Southampton Town Trustee Jimmy Mack, was beaming, along with local elected officials who came to support the cause.

Jonathan Crespo and The HUB

Jonathan Crespo always knows how to dress for the occasion, but the fashion forward pink and blue shoes he wore to The HUB’s Hamptons Pride kickoff party stole the show. If you haven’t visited The HUB in Bridgehampton, consider this your reminder. The eclectic destination blends shopping, art, furniture, fashion, jewelry and author events under one roof. Say hello to owners Michael and Toni while you’re there.

Bonita DeWolf

Speaking of The HUB, James Lane Post celebrated its August issue with a lively gathering at the popular venue. Among those spotted was power broker Bonita deWolf, the longtime Hamptons real estate executive who recently joined Brown Harris Stevens in Sag Harbor. Congratulations and good for BHS!

Martha Stewart & Chris Coffee

Sag Harbor continues to get busier every summer, but Sage & Madison remains a favorite stop for shoppers looking for something distinctive. Owner Chris Coffee recently celebrated the launch of his new lifestyle publication, The Society. Among those attending was Martha Stewart, who recently purchased a colorful Falcone dress from the boutique. Society supporting The Society? We’d say so.

Stephen Talkhouse

The Stephen Talkhouse celebrated its 39th birthday with a book signing for its new oversized coffee-table book chronicling the legendary performers who’ve graced its stage over the decades.

Longtime night manager Nick Kraus welcomed guests while Nancy Atlas and other musicians signed books alongside owner Peter Honerkamp. Long live the Talkhouse.

Spark Hamptons

Spark Hamptons made a few sparks of its own at the Hamptons Fine Art Fair, hosting a lively panel discussion titled “Spark of Inspiration” with noted art collectors Dr. Harvey Manes, Bruce Davis and Max Dolgicer, joined by fair founder Rick Friedman.

The conversation explored collecting, the art market and what continues to make the Hamptons a destination for art lovers. We’ll have more from that discussion in an upcoming newsletter.

Randy Hemming

Also in attendance was Randy Hemming, a Spark Hamptons contributor whose Hamptons Diaries have become reader favorites. His fourth short story from his collection of stories about his career in retail, titled Re-Tales, is on the way, delivering more of the sharp, funny observations that have earned him a loyal following. We see a book and a one-man show in his future. And hopefully, some retail discounts for SPARK readers ;-).

Life is short. Make sparks. (Make Art. Collect Art).

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .