Music to No...

  

The Music to Know Festival, slated for an inaugural weekend (Aug. 13-14, East Hampton) of live bands, “VIP tents with premium alcohol and specially-curated food service,” has withered and died like a neglected house plant.  As we know, anything that sustains life must be fed, nurtured and watered—in the Hamptons social circuit, this typically comes in the form of PR and corporate sponsors and the dearth of both has killed MTK during germination.

According to a blog on the NY Times, ticket sales were not sufficient enough to cover costs and the MTK launch was scrubbed on the pad.  Demanding $195 for General Admission while (attempting to) command $645 for the “VIP Program,” left the MTK crew with a surplus of stubs. 

spyehampton scoured the web for the real scoop on the debacle, but this only left us with more questions.  Such as: Where was the initial PR?  Why no social media?  What is your phone number?

While no one really wins in this type of situation, our hats go off to the verdant Escape to New York Festival (www.escape2ny.com), who agreed to honor Music to Know tickets at their event in Southampton.  

A visit to www.musictoknow.com left us with more questions than it did answers. 

Despite the bailout from Escape to New York, Music to Know gets a credit downgrade.

Nevertheless, spyehampton has a heart and is perturbed by the plethora of blogs and press which have been published using this debacle as a conduit to trash the Hamptons.  Certain blogs, citing traffic, lack of hotels and poor transportation as the deterrents that unwound this event, are way off the mark. 


-Blogs stating that this event was to be held in an inconvenient location have never been to the Hamptons.


-Critics citing transportation to the Hamptons have never experienced the impressive convenience of a LIRR cannonball.


-The traffic argument is a shotgun attack--traffic can occur anywhere, incuding but not limited to: New Jersey, Canada and Manhattan.  Anyone who has partied or dined out East this summer knows that congestion is actually lighter than normal, save the holiday weekends. 


*     *     *


Let us all use this as an opportunity to learn and relax.  Rethinking PR strategy is probably a good idea.  Amateurs writing rubbish about locations they have never visited is probably not a good idea.  With nightclubs and hotels hopping and restaurant reservations in high-demand, one failed music festival is a blip on spyehampton's radar screen. 

Beat the street at the Beachhouse

spyehampton rolled in to the Beachhouse Restaurant, in East Hampton, on a Tuesday afternoon.  We were greeted by Manager Katie Honaker, who lead us on a tour of this cultural and trendy venue. 

The bar room at Beachhouse brings a wide open space, via high ceilings and a multitude of windows, all accented by plasma TVs. 

When I asked my staple question, "What do you bring to the Hamptons that is unique," Katie Honaker confidently replied, "We have three unique themes."

Honaker described a "beach bum" aesthetic during the day, that segues into a casual and verdant outdoor lounge at night.  Despite the proximity to Montauk Highway, the Beachhouse's sound system successfully drowns out the road noise. 

"We feature local artists, such as Jim Miller, Jodi Lemmon, Michael McDowel and Mark Anthony rugs," stated Honaker.  "We even have an East End Artists discount!"

Katie added that Chef Dennis J. Farrell caters to all dietary discretions.  Unlike the East End restaurants birthed from the big apple, which may offer truncated or cuisine-specific menus, Beachhouse covers all bases.

Furthermore, they host a gay soiree, as well as the local Rotary Club. 

With spyehampton's credit still in-tact, we see no downgrade on the horizon for The Beachhouse!

*     *     *

Photographs by Theresa Stebe

  Check out:

           http://www.jimmillerhamptons.com/

 http://www.jodilemmon.com/

                  http://www.michaelmcdowellstudio.com/

    www.theresastebe.com/

       and Mark Anthony Rugs,

                      372 Montauk Highway, Wainscott

429 Escape!

Per the request of one of spye hampton's avid readers, please check out the following!

TODAY ONLY!!!

429Escape

429 Show Home
Watermill, NY

Watermill, NY 11976
(12:00PM - 4:00PM)

As summer carries on, we invite you to escape the stress of daily life and make your way to the dot429 Hampton's Summer Home in Water Mill, New York.
Come out to enjoy the 429Escape experience: delicious delights by Chef Chad Ellis, paired with elegant libations by Australian winemaker Penfolds and, as ever, inspiring conversation and connections with the LGBTA community's most innovative and fascinating business professionals.

The dot429 Summer Show Home has been designed to highlight the taste and style of those who mingle within. Be among them, and RSVP today.

Hosted by: Richard Klein and Winka Dubbeldam
Co-hosted by dot429 founding members: Eddie Dill, Eddie Garou, William Kapfer, Joseph Magnone, Casey Penry, Ryan Young and Steph Watts

Music by: FARIKA

FORD models show off founding member and emerging designer Kyle King's new swimwear collection.

$85 with partial proceeds to benefit GLAAD

Thank you to our Partners: Penfolds, David Ellis Events, Krys Fox Photography, and VOSS Water

*address to be emailed to each individual upon ticket purchase

Slow Friday, in August?

What was the deal with tonight, folks?  The weather held out (save Sag Harbor), yet every venue seemed to be running at 75% of normal capacity. 

Did the draw from the Escape to New York festival sap everyone's dining and clubing aspirations?

(Best Coast - Danny North)

I know you're all still out here because traffic doesn't do this:

until 5pm, Sunday. 


Or is it that Thursdays and Saturdays have become such prime dining nights, that Friday table-hopping is suddenly passe?  Well don't let a market correction scare you--The mainstays of The Hamptons are not yet begging for a QE3!

Saturday night is going to be packed, everywhere.  So relax and have Sweet Dreams:

What turned Nobu/The Bathing Club into THE Southampton social venue to be seen at?

On Saturday, we all enjoyed the second week of POLO, in Bridgehampton. 

And after the tailgaters and glitterati took to the field to tamp down the divets, crowds needed a place to socialize and party.

While Nobu/The Bathing Club began the summer strong, they still had to fight to bring in a crowd for their gorgeous outdoor bar. 

So what managed to turn this:

Into this:

Was it the social savvy of the Capri's Asst. Manager, James Woods?  The fastidious attention to detail of their Manager, Glennon Travis?  The strategic business brains brought by Stephen Kamali?  Or Nobu's owner, Richie Notar (of 54) and his entourage of VIP socialites? 

Maybe, it was as simple as this:

...the sexy and smoothe rhythms of the brand new resident spinner, dj toy (spyehampton exclusive interview forthcoming)

It probably doesn't hurt that a sheaf of celebrities and social moguls frequent this establishment on what is now a regular basis, until (and after) closing time.

spyehampton will continue digging deeper to pinpoint what turned The Capri/Bathing Club/Nobu into a Southampton gamechanger. 

Have an excellent week all and see you next weekend!

POLO!

Two Trees Farm at 849 Hayground Road, Bridgehampton

Mother Nature's record-breaking wrath of heat and humidity did not befall the Bridgehampton Polo Club's signature event, this weekend. Yes it was hot and as a result, the 2011 Bridgehampton Polo Challenge began an hour late, as social needs were foregone for equestrian safety.  However, droves of families, tailgaters, notables and athletes took to the fields. 

Polo is as much a family outting at a refined sporting event, as it is a social gathering. 

Beautiful people casually soak up sun and champagne along the sidelines, while children are allowed to frolic on the field, before the match!

The event runs every Saturday, through August 27.  General Admission parking is the only fee, at a whopping $20. 

Two notes on Two Trees Farm: 

When spyehampton asked Sir Ivan what he thought of the Polo Challenge he replied simply, "Loved it"

Nacho Figueras is still riding like a champion

Beat the heat at the Boathouse!

With the city heat indexes rivaling equity indexes, this weekend should take you out east again.  Far out, to the Boathouse Restaurant on 3-mile Harbor (it's worth the scenic ride).

spye hampton arrived at around 3pm on Tuesday to catch the tail-end of a bartending competition. 

Situated on 3-Mile Harbor, in East Hampton, the Boathouse brings a laid-back atmosphere to the shore of a stunning backdrop. 

While dining on...

Bistro Salad--a medley of pears, bleu cheese, honey roasted walnuts on a bed of mixed greens
Shrimp Salad--Meaty shrimp, green beans, bacon, onion and tomato (a hearty salad, sans greens)
a succulent Lobster, Scallop, Shrimp Quesadilla
and the sweet, yet zesty Fish Tacos (dashed with a complexity of spices)

...we were drawn to the picturesque view of Three Mile Harbor.  While the bar crowd, including Michael Gluckman and Mark Anthony, prepared for a lively evening, it felt as if we could reach across the table and touch the nearby beachgrass-clad islands. 

Unlike Boathouse' neighbor, East Hampton Point, seating is one-size-fits-all (same menu inside/outside).  This fosters a beach-bum aesthetic vs. a tier-level seating and dining experience. 

If you need to chow down while immersed in a stunning facade, or a weekend divorce from Manhattan, let the Boathouse and their casual ambiance serve up the fare!

Stay tuned for a profile of Boathouse' sister restaurant, The Beachhouse!