Social Safari
The original article appeared in the August 12th issue of Social Life Magazine. Click here to read.
By R Couri Hay
Photo Contributions by Patrick McMullan
Gardens of Delight
Scarlett Johansson, LongHouse, Nicole Kidman, Holiday House, Isabelle Bscher, Anh Duong, Audrey Gruss, Race of Hope & Hampton Classic
Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, and David Harbour star in the Marvel action movie, Black Widow, available on Disney Plus and in theaters. The movie takes us down memory lane giving you a peek into the titular character’s past. The film has grossed $200 million worldwide. Johansson said, “I’ve never considered myself a femme fatale as I’ve never seduced anyone and ruined their lives. At least as far as I know.”
Nine Perfect Strangers
Nicole Kidman, Melissa McCarthy, and Luke Evans star in Nine Perfect Strangers,
the new Hulu thriller. The series is based on the 2018 novel of the same name by Liane Moriarty, following nine strangers on a wellness retreat where the resort is not what it seems. Kidman says, “I believe the experiences of life are more important than any film you make.”
“SAY YES” to LongHouse
Photographer Cindy Sherman, Robert Wilson, Suzanne Vega, Faith Popcorn and interior designers to the rich and richer Tony Ingrao and Randy Kempner were in the glamorous mix at the LongHouse Reserve gala “SAY YES.” Four hundred guests meandered the 16-acre sculpture garden featuring works by Dale Chihuly and Willem de Kooning, with new pieces by Daniel Arsham, Beverly Pepper, John Giorno, and Prune Nourry. Attendees sipped cocktails from the HMPTNS CBD Bar while watching the dazzling synchronized swimmers Brooklyn Peaches in the fountains. The pretty young things danced until moonrise to live music by reggae band ROYAL KHAOZ next to Yoko Ono’s oversized black and white chess set. After dark, SOUNDWALL presented a music and light show alongside Buckminster Fuller’s “Fly’s Eye Dome,” and there was live movement by dancer Huiwang Zhang. Leading the applause were Sylvia Hemingway, Victoria Wyman, Ann, and Ralph Pucci, and the organization’s Executive Director Matko Tomicic. LongHouse explores the relationship between humanity and nature and encourages people to broaden their imaginative and scholarly horizons. The auction featured artwork by Ai Weiwei, Laurie Anderson, Lucy Villeneuve, Dawn Dedeaux, Kiki Smith, and Sherman “This is what happens when you say YES!” exclaimed LongHouse’s Co-president Diane Benson, who was adorned in a Joshua Werber floral headpiece. The benefit was catered by Canard Inc, with beverages provided by Frederick Wildman & Sons, sponsors included Frost Productions, Frank Alexander, Harbor Market, and Kitchen. The night raised a stellar $500,000. longhouse.org
Audrey Gruss’s ‘Race of Hope’
Katie Couric was the Grand Marshal of Audrey Gruss’s Hope for Depression Research Foundation’s (HDRF) 4th annual ‘Race of Hope to Defeat Depression’ in the village of Southampton. Audrey had a chic lunch in her art-strewn garden to celebrate the Race, which raised over $250,000. The Papa G Dixieland Band
played next to the pool as the perfumed pack was seated at their tables which were festooned with yellow flowers. Guests included Hilary Geary Ross, Jamee and Peter Gregory, Arthur Dunnam, Judith Giuliani, Roy Cohen, and the organization’s director Louisa Benton. HDRF has raised $35 million since it was founded 15 years ago.hopefordepression.org
“There is always Champagne in the Fridge”
Glamorous gallerist Isabelle Bscher presented Anh Duong’s exhilarating self-portrait exhibit at Galerie Gmurzynska. Duong’s solo show dubbed “La Tentation d’Exister,” also known as “There is always Champagne in the Fridge” features works from 1989 to today. The sumptuous show leads viewers into her life’s most intimate moments, painting herself exposed and dissociated in what she calls “still-live paintings.” As an artist whose career began by posing for photographers, Duong’s self-portraits pose questions about femininity and how women armor themselves. Her paintings often depict cosmetics, makeup, perfumes, and clothing, representing women’s relationship with self-worth and perception of themselves. Duong’s artistic perspective is inspired by her interests as an actor and model as well as other artists such as her former lover Julian Schnabel, Donna Karan, and John Galliano. Duong said, “When I paint myself, I use a true mirror. So, it’s a reflection of the reflection, so it’s the real me.” gmurzynska.com
Best Clam Bake: American Humane
Dr. Robin Ganzert, the CEO of American Humane (AH), hosted the summer’s best clam bake held surfside on Meadow Lane. Jean Shafiroff, the ambassador and national spokesperson for the organization’s Feed the Hungry COVID-19 Fund, announced “We have met our goal of delivering one million meals to animals in 109 shelters across 43 states. Guests and sponsors included Martin Shafiroff with his pitbull Rosita, Kevin Richards, the CEO of Lambay Irish Whiskey who was one of the evening sponsors, Janna Bullock accompanied by her dog Sebastian and her daughter Eugenia Bullock, attorneys Arthur Aidala and Marianne Bertuna, dermatologist Dr. Marie Hayag and her husband Will Jarosak. AH was founded in 1877 and has been awarded the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence, with more than 91 cents per dollar going directly to 88 fund their programs. americanhumane.org
Best Tabletop Event: Holiday House
Ashley and Andrea Stark, Campion Platt, and Kenneth Alpert co-chaired Iris Dankner’s Holiday House Tabletop event to benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF). The party, titled “Coming Together,” featured 13 designers including Beth Donner, Brett Helsham, Brittany Marom, Christina Nielsen, and Cambria x Jiun Ho, who all created fanciful tabletops for guests to be inspired at the Topping Rose House in Bridgehampton. Chef Jean Georges whipped up delicious hors d’oeuvres and imaginative cocktails at the daylong occasion. Sponsors included Topping Rose House, Blatt Billiards, Melissa Cohn, Adam Miller Group, and Tim Davis. Holiday House has raised nearly two million dollars for breast cancer research since 2008. holidayhamptons.com
Samuel Waxman Foundation
Maria and Ken Fishel and their son Bradley opened the doors to their far-flung estate in Bridgehampton for the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation’s (SWCRF) annual Hamptons Happening. Honorees included top dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Mark, who has offices in Southampton, Soho, and Aspen, Chef David Burke, Natalie Cohen Gould, HUGO BOSS, and Fashion Inc. The chef-tasting affair raised $400,000 for cancer research and prevention. Guests included actor Harry Lennix, Broadway star Danny Burstein, NY Giants linebacker Harry Carson, and CBS2 news anchor Chris Wragge. The 17th annual event, a celebration of health and wellness, was held in a marquee erected on the Fishel’s private polo field. Since 1976, SWCRF has donated over $100 million in cancer research. waxmancancer.org
Hampton Classic
Mary-Kate Olsen, Eve Jobs, Sofia Vergara, Jerry Seinfeld, Christie Brinkley, and Billy Joel are all regulars at the Hampton Classic, which will return for the first time in two years. The 45th edition of the Classic kicks off on August 29th and concludes September 5th with the Hampton Classic Grand Prix, which has been supported by everyone from Calvin Klein to Georgina and Michael Bloomberg. Roughly 50,000 attendees will watch one of the nation’s foremost equestrian competitions of all age brackets. Riders in the hunter-jumper category will compete for over $800,000 in prize money. Olympic veterans and disabled riders will be among the elite competitors. Other events will include the annual Animal Adoption Day on August 30th and Long Island’s Kids Day on September 2nd. Shanette Barth Cohen, Director of the Classic, said, “The Classic is a popular event for everyone, whether they’re horse fans or not.” hamptonclassic.com