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Top Hamptons Events This Weekend: Galas, Live Music, Theater, Art, Comedy and More
From Authors Night and Guild Hall’s Summer Gala to Chris Botti, Fran Lebowitz, Tovah Feldshuh and more, here’s Spark Hamptons’ picks for one of the biggest weekends of the summer.
August is one of the busiest and most exciting times of the summer on the East End, and this weekend delivers no shortage of reasons to get out and explore. From star-studded galas and bestselling authors to Broadway-caliber theater, acclaimed musicians, inspiring art exhibitions and standout comedy, the Hamptons are packed with memorable experiences. Whether you’re a longtime local or visiting for the weekend, here are Spark Hamptons’ top event picks you won’t want to miss.
Editor’s Top 5 Picks
- East Hampton Library’s Authors Night
- An Evening with Fran Lebowitz at Guild Hall
- Hamptons Dance Project VIII
- Nimesh Patel at Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center
- Ross Bleckner: Never the Less & Eric Freeman: The Volume of Color at Guild Hall
Galas & Fundraisers
Guild Hall Summer Gala Honoring Andrea Grover
Friday, Aug. 7 | 6-10 p.m.
Venue: Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton
Guild Hall’s signature Summer Gala returns with cocktails, dinner and dancing while celebrating Executive Director Andrea Grover’s 10th anniversary leading one of the East End’s premier cultural institutions. Guests will also enjoy an exclusive preview of two major exhibitions: Ross Bleckner: Never the Less and Eric Freeman: The Volume of Color. It’s one of the season’s marquee fundraising events for the arts.
East Hampton Library’s 22nd Annual Authors Night
Saturday, Aug. 8 | 5 p.m.
Cost: $150 for the reception; dinner packages begin at $500
Venue: Herrick Park, 67 Newtown Lane, East Hampton
One of the Hamptons’ signature summer traditions returns with more than 100 acclaimed authors gathering under the big tent for an evening of book signings, conversation and community. This year’s lineup includes Don Lemon, Carol Leifer, Susan Lucci, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Robert A. Caro, Karine Jean-Pierre, Jay McInerney and dozens more before select guests continue to private dinner parties honoring featured authors.
Saturday, Aug. 8
Venue: The Crow’s Nest, Montauk
The Surfrider Foundation’s annual One Ocean Gala honors legendary big-wave surfer and ocean conservation advocate Greg Long. The evening features cocktails, dinner, live music, and silent and live auctions while raising funds to support clean water initiatives, coastal preservation and environmental programs across Eastern Long Island.
Authors & Talks
Sunday, Aug. 9 | 7 p.m.
Venue: Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton
Known for her razor-sharp wit and unmistakable perspective on everything from politics and culture to everyday life, bestselling author and cultural commentator Fran Lebowitz takes the Guild Hall stage for what promises to be one of the weekend’s most entertaining conversations. NOTE: This program is sold out. Guild Hall recommends joining the in-person standby list (arrive no earlier than 40 minutes before the program to add your name to the list).
Film
Thursday, Aug. 6 | 7 p.m.
Venue: Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton
Presented by Guild Hall and the Jewish Center of the Hamptons, TOVAH offers an intimate look at the extraordinary life and career of Broadway legend Tovah Feldshuh. Directed by David Serero, the documentary features exclusive interviews, rare archival footage and behind-the-scenes moments tracing Feldshuh’s journey from acclaimed stage actress to one of America’s most celebrated performers.
Theater
Through Aug. 29
Times: Thursday, Aug. 6, 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.
Cost: $79-$159
Venue: Bay Street Theater, 1 Long Wharf, Sag Harbor
Winner of six Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Dear Evan Hansen comes to Bay Street Theater in a new production directed by Artistic Director Scott Schwartz. Featuring the acclaimed score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, the emotionally powerful musical explores connection, identity and belonging through one unforgettable story.
Dance
Friday-Sunday, Aug. 7-9 | 6 p.m.
Venue: Fireplace Lodge, Springs
The Hamptons Dance Project returns for its eighth season, bringing together internationally recognized ballet and contemporary dancers with leading choreographers for three evenings of innovative performances. Under the direction of José Sebastian, the annual event continues its mission of expanding the East End’s vibrant cultural landscape through world premieres and reimagined classics.
Website: hamptonsdanceproject.org
Art
Ross Bleckner: Never the Less & Eric Freeman: The Volume of Color
Saturday, Aug. 8, and ongoing | Noon-5 p.m.
Venue: Guild Hall, 158 Main St., East Hampton
Guild Hall unveils two major exhibitions celebrating artists with deep East End ties. Never the Less showcases nearly 200 intimate works by renowned painter Ross Bleckner, while The Volume of Color marks the first major institutional East End exhibition of Eric Freeman’s luminous abstract paintings. Together, the exhibitions offer one of the summer’s standout art experiences.
Splash
Through Aug. 16 | Thursday-Sunday, Noon-5 p.m.
Admission: Free
Venue: Women’s Art Center of the Hamptons, 2418 Montauk Highway, Bridgehampton
Encaustic with layered toner transfers on cradled wood panel. Photo courtesy of WACH
Featuring works by Angel Dean, Caro Dranow, Francine Fleischer, Jennifer Hannaford and Marcie Honerkamp, Splash explores movement, identity, connection and the joy of summer through paintings that range from playful to deeply reflective.
Website: wachamptonsny.org
Through Aug. 15
Venue: Julie Keyes Gallery, 45 Main St., Sag Harbor
East End artist Lucy Villeneuve’s solo exhibition, Good Grief, features vibrant abstract paintings inspired by movement, intuition and the rhythms of nature. The colorful new body of work highlights the artist’s expressive brushwork and layered compositions.
Music
Saturday, Aug. 8 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $127-$202
Venue: Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main St., Westhampton Beach
Grammy Award-winning trumpeter Chris Botti returns to the East End for an evening of soaring melodies, jazz and contemporary classics. Known for collaborations with Sting, Barbra Streisand, Andrea Bocelli and Lady Gaga, Botti remains one of the world’s most celebrated instrumentalists.
Friday, Aug. 7 | 7 p.m.
Cost: $50
Venue: Stephen Talkhouse, 161 Main St., Amagansett
A Hamptons music favorite, Nancy Atlas returns to the Stephen Talkhouse with her signature blend of rock, Americana and storytelling. Backed by the Nancy Atlas Project, her energetic live performances have made her one of the East End’s most enduring and popular performers.
Website: stephentalkhouse.com
Thursday, Aug. 6 | 6-8 p.m.
Venue: Arts Center at Duck Creek, 127 Squaw Road, East Hampton
Brooklyn guitarist, producer and composer Tim Watson brings his trio to the Arts Center at Duck Creek for an evening of contemporary jazz. Known for his inventive style and collaborations with acclaimed musicians, Watson is one of today’s rising young jazz artists.
Comedy
Thursday, Aug. 6 | 8 p.m.
Venue: The Room at The Clubhouse, 174 Daniels Hole Road, East Hampton
Actor and comedian Adam Ferrara headlines Governor’s Comedy at The Room at The Clubhouse. Best known for his stand-up, television appearances and quick wit, Ferrara brings a night of laughs to one of the Hamptons’ newest comedy venues.
Website: clubhousehamptons.com
Saturday, Aug. 8 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $35-$100
Venue: Sticks & Stones Comedy Club, 25 Pond Lane, Southampton
Stand-up comedian Dan Madonia brings his sharp observational humor and personal storytelling to Sticks & Stones Comedy Club. A regular at major comedy clubs and festivals across the country, Madonia delivers an evening of smart, relatable laughs.
Sunday, Aug. 9 | 8 p.m.
Cost: $49-$81
Venue: Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main St., Westhampton Beach
Emmy-nominated writer and one of Variety‘s “10 Comics to Watch,” Nimesh Patel has become one of stand-up’s fastest-rising stars with his fearless, intelligent comedy. Known for his work on Saturday Night Live, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and the Academy Awards, Patel closes out the weekend with one of the hottest tickets in comedy.
