Welcome to our new seasonal social page covering some special events oustide of summer that we went to Here & There : ) for "The Hamptons".com! Once upon a time winter spelled a long haul through cold winter months with not a whole lot to do...but that has changed considerably and the hamptons have become a year round haven for both weekenders and those who fell in love with this area and STAYED! So much so that we had to build a new off season page for events & parties!! As our neighbors move to & from NYC and Palm Beach and a few other notable hot spots we've been able to get to a few of those to give you a measure of seasonal highlights and holiday joy : ) For those who are visiting we have a handy list of restaurants & night clubs...so be sure to bookmark those pages for easy reference to all the best spots to eat, drink and laugh. Follow us on twitter if you like regular updates...@hamptonsmedia Firefox, RootOrange, Razorfish, AmericanExpress, TheNextWeb, textPlus, TheUnionCares, TheOprahShow, TMZ, PRNewswire, WarnerBrosEnt, SonyPictures, CNNiReport, Piper_Heidsieck, Harpers, BSmithStyle, PasteMagazine, CrainsNewYork, LeOficial, NWF, Collective_Soul, DyansCandyBar, BaumeMercier, Veuve_Clicquot, TOMSshoes, ChrisLawford, PatrickMcMullen, SamanthaYanks, R. Couri Hay, Alex McCord, PaulWilmotComm, the NewYorkPost, Newsday, OK_Magazine, ZagatBuzz, WeAreFamilyFdtn, drinkArizona, ChuckSchumer, TheMotleyFool, NASATweetup & Kelsey_Grammer just name to a few : ) even a few blogs like Guest of a Guest & PlumHamptons! For LARGER size viewing check out our video index pages in the bigger flash player...and if you're missing summer here's a preview of some of the upcoming annual events on TheHamptons.com's SUMMERTIME party page...good news for you loyal Apples we are building an index for ipad & iphone for ya : ) bookmark this page too so you can keep up with all the best events in The Hamptons!

As promised we captured highlights of The 18th Hamptons International Film Festival that spanned Southampton to Montauk plus Sag Harbor! The main venues were The John Drew Theater at Guild Hall, The Bay Street Theatre and all the United Artists movie theaters and even included the First Presbyterian Church in East Hampton for the Panels . The redesigned c/o Maidstone served as headquarters for both guests and media alike. It made it SO nice to come and go because it was walking distance to the East Hampton venues but also had a shuttle to and from other outlets so people could make it to the Opening and Closing Galas and all the parties in between. Kicking off the festivities was ROC's Award Winning Screening of An Invisible Sign followed by a reception at The Hedges with Marcia Gay Harden and Alec Baldwin. The Opening Night film was Barney's Version with Paul Giamatti, Richard Lewis and Robert Lantos doing a Q & A afterwards and then it was OFF TO MONTAUK for the Opening Night Reception at Gurney's Inn on the ocean! Friday began with Jane's Journey AND the lovely Jane Goodall who has SUCH presence - her grace suggests nobility more then anthropology as THE Champion of Chimps the world over! She was never without her stuffed monkey Mr. H - as you will see in all of our photos of her!! It was a true privilege to shake her hand as she arrived at c/o Maidstone afterwards with her entourage.

Following at Guild Hall A Conversations W/ Julian Schnabel whose Spotlight Film MIRAL was one of the most popular at the festival. The Company Men starring such greats as Ben Affleck, Kevin Costner, Tommy Lee Jones and up-and-comer Maria Bello was the big evening premiere at the East Hampton movie theater! It was a hard to choose because Casino Jack with Kevin Spacey was also playing at the same time AS WAS The King's Speech with Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush which was Southampton's festival kick-off film and SOLD OUT! We were lucky enough to see it and can vouch that it will certainly be on the Oscar list for its brilliant angle and performances. After that it was over to 75 Main where Ann Barish hosted a lovely dinner for Harvey Weinstein and about 50 guests put together by Zak of Nello fame who's the new owner. Saturday was loaded with interviews in between Spotlight Films, Panels, Conversations, The Chairman's Reception at Stuart Suna's home and the late night Industry Toast Reception - parties in Montauk and parties in Wainscott and private soirees throughout the hamptons all celebrating the 18th film festival in The Hamptons! Isabella Rossellini was the toast of Sag Harbor at A Conversation With at the Bay Street Theatre - James Franco and Stanley Tucci also took part in that segment of the festival. We did a few interviews as time would allow and Stanley Tucci was one of them - Bill Pullman, Dennis Lynch and George Hickenlooper (Casino Jack) were toute-s w e e t too spending time with TheHamptons.com : )

Sunday brought about the panel of OUR CHOICE: PIXAR - Animation Master Class! It was a lengthy, informal discussion about animation and Toy Story 3 with Director, Lee Unkrich and Producer, Darla Anderson with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, film clips and a Q & A session led by a member of the New York Film Critis Circle. Concluding The Hamptons International Film Festival was the Awards Ceremony and everyone gave a hearty laugh when Shit Year was announced as winner of the Visionary Award!! Audience Award winners were The King's Speech - for Narrative Feature, Love - for Documentary Feature and Born Sweet - for Short Film. All in All it was the best festival yet! Frank PR made it super convenient for Media/Press and were always very accomodating about everything. There was no chaos with the exception of a few sold out movies - which is GOOD thing for premieres especially since they were fast to have a second showing i.e. Black Swan with Natalie Portman on the closing night!! Then it was off to NYC for the 8th Annual Celebration Gala for We Are Family Foundation. We Are Family Foundation(r) (WAFF) is a nonprofit organization founded by legendary songwriter and producer Nile Rodgers, hosted its annual gala at the Manhattan Center's Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Jackson Browne, Nile Rodgers with CHIC and Steven Van Zandt took the stage for show-stopping performances at this year's mega event delighting such guests as iconic photog Bruce Weber, B52s' Kate Pierson, actor John Shea, U.S. Senator Mark Warner and evening hosts Rosie Perez and Mo Rocca. DJ Donna D'Cruz kicked off the festivities, providing music for the cocktail reception; later, an exciting live auction brought bidders to their feet with such items as a private one-on-one with Jackson Browne and a custom handmade "Jackson Browne" Gibson Acoustic Guitar, Seduction of Spirit Six-Day Deepak Chopra Experience, a Rock 'n Roll Winter Weekend with Kate Pierson of the B52s, a collaborative portrait with celebrated fashion photographer Bruce Weber and Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band-Signed Gibson Les Paul 1958 Jr. and Tickets to the 2011 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Awards. Jackson Browne was honored with the evening's Humanitarian Award and then hopped on stage to join Nile Rodgers and Steven Van Zandt for some old faves getting the guests rocking & rolling! Afterwards Nile Rodgers and CHIC seized the moment performing a set of iconic tunes whereupon the honorees, foundation team a n d guests took the stage together to close the evening with a show-stopping rendition of "We Are Family"...imagine that!?!

The Waxman as it's best known is a bright star in the world of gala benefits...and the 13th Annual Collaborating for A Cure to Benefit the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation was no exception!!! A favorite fete paired with a favorite musical guest made it a sold-out crowd of one thousand four hundred guests!! Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow wowed them all at the New York City landmark Park Avenue Armory with such songs as "If It Makes You Happy," "Soak Up The Sun," "My Favorite Mistake," and her latest single "Summer Day." Before taking the stage for her concert, Sheryl greeted the crowd and expressed her gratitude as a cancer survivor for everyone's support of cancer research. One lucky winning bidder also had the chance to meet Sheryl backstage before her concert and received an autographed guitar from the songstress. The evening's live and silent auctions offered guests the opportunity to bid on a selection of exciting items, including a Seven-Night-Stay for up to 10 guests in the Ian Fleming Villa at the Goldeneye Resort via Private Jet Service, which garnered the highest bid of the evening with $100,000. Once again led by C. Hugh Hildesley of Sotheby's Auction House, the Live Auction raised nearly $1Million. Following the items, guests were invited to 'bid on science' raising close to an additional $900,000 toward research. Innovative centerpieces celebrated the Waxman Foundation's astounding achievements w/ "$75 Million and counting - 175 Researchers - 3 Continents - 35 Years of Breakthrough Research" capturing well deserved attention. All in all count that as a wopping TWO MILLION DOLLARS RAISED...in o.n.e. evening!!

Michael E. Scully, President of Scully & Scully and Heather Leeds, President of The Society of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center hosted a reception to celebrate the international best-selling cookbook and entertainment guide, PARK AVENUE POTLUCK CELEBRATIONS. The book is authored by The Society's members who are among New York's most celebrated hostesses. Scully & Scully donated 10% of the proceeds from purchases made from November 17th through the 19th to The Society. The festive cocktail party was held at the Scully & Scully Park Avenue store featuring beautiful table settings saluting Icons of Style designed by members of The Society. They included "Cole Porter" by Chesie Breen, "Babe Paley" by Nicole Limbocker and Hilary Dick, "The Duke and Duchess of Windsor" by Eugenie Niven Goodman and Jamie Niven, "Diana Vreeland" by Leslie Perkin, and "Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis" by Kathy Thomas. Guests sipped cocktails to the seasonal sounds of Alex Donner's band and enjoying tasty tidbits inspired by the book! Some of those present for the festive celebration were Alexandra Lind Rose, Eleanora Kennedy, Lisa McCarthy, Annette Rickel, Libby Fitzgerald, Eleanor Fahey, Grace Meigher, Patrice Bell, Fernanda Niven, Tracy Snyder, Leslie Jones, Susan Burke, Jamie Niven Hilary Dick, Amy Hoadley, Jay Snyder. Kudos to The Society's Co-Chairs Kathy Thomas and Barbara Tollis, Vice-Chairs Wendy Arriz, Chesie Breen and Elizabeth Fuller for putting on the special event!! PARK AVENUE POTLUCK CELEBRATIONS includes menus for 14 family celebrations throughout the year. Menus for a festive holiday season include: A True Potluck Tradition: THANKSGIVING; After the Tree Lighting: HOLIDAY COCKTAIL PARTY; A Winter Feast: HOLIDAY DINNER for Christmas and Hanukah; and, A Sparking Soiree: NEW YEAR'S EVE. Partial proceeds from the cookbook benefit The Society's programs at MSKCC to raise funds for patient care...it's never too late to buy it ; ) The Society's Committee Members include Muffie Potter Aston, Catherine Carey, Nancy Mulholland Conroy, Chiara Edmands, Kelly Forsberg, Martha Glass, Eugenie Niven Goodman, Leslie Heaney, Leslie Jones, Coco Kopelman, Nicole Limbocker, Stephanie Loeffler, Barbara McLaughlin, Leslie Perkin, Sarah S. Powers, George Rudenauer, Tracy Snyder and Alexandra Wernink. In Southampton the Parrish Art Museum held their very popular annual Parrish Presents Preview Cocktail Party over Thanksgiving weekend! Bargain hunters combed through a vast array of fantastic deals and exquisite finds in the indoor/outdoor market for both big & small...everything from Lisa Crawford's tasteful jewelry designs tdesigner hangings and estate furniture and antiques.

The 23rd Stepping Out and Stepping Up had to have been one of New York's most fashionable & socialicious galas of the year! The New York Women's Foundation honored Museum of Modern Art President Emerita and MoMA International Council Chairman Agnes Gund as well as Grace Hightower De Niro and Robert De Niro at New York City's Gotham Hall. Good Morning America's Juju Chang hosted the special evening, which began with an address by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg to the nearly 300 guests in attendance, which included filmmaker Jane Rosenthal, Muffie Potter Aston, Debbie Bancroft, philanthropist Anne Bass, Mexico's Deputy Consul General in New York Ismael Naveja Macias, as well as Gala Vice Chairs Jean Shafiroff, Susan R. Cullman, Carolyn Buck Luce and Gala Co-Chairs Hyatt Bass and Somers Farkas with husband Jonathan Farkas...quite a sociable list making it a smashing evening! Mayor Bloomberg praised Agnes as having "singlehandedly changed our city's cultural landscape," and the De Niros, saying "these two New Yorkers really couldn't be more deserving...they care deeply about this city." Of the three honorees, Mayor Bloomberg described them as "three amazing New Yorkers." Following Mayor Bloomberg, Good Morning America's Juju Chang began her duties as host, commenting, "I like to think that behind every successful woman is a successful woman." As NYWF President & CEO Ana L. Oliveira explained, the Foundation is "not a traditional foundation...it is a public foundation [producing] community-based authored solutions;" Ana also reinforced the message that "when we invest in mothers, we invest in children...when we invest in children, we invest in our future." Accepting the award, Robert remarked "I have the feeling I'm receiving this honor not for anything I've done, but for what Grace has contributed." Following Robert, Grace encouraged guests, saying "let us give praise to those women...in sink or swim situations everyday...who choose to better their lives." Here, here for women : ) In New York celebrating the holidays with John Legend at the new Bowlmor Times Square were Christine Teigen and Gotham Magazine's Haley & Jason Binn, Debra Halpert and Samantha Yanks...along with...Brittny Gastineau and Chef David Burke who is the Culinary Director of Bowlmor Lanes! It was the grand opening of Bowlmor Times Square for the Gotham Magazine 2010 Holiday Party in NYC - yes the movers & shakers over at Hamptons Magazine switch gears just like the seasons ; )

Dora Frost and Dana Mendelson took their leave from Palm Beach and headed south to Miami Beach Art Basel! In her ownn words Dora has provided a very unique angle of this enormoulsy popular art expo and Dana captured the visuals for us. For the uninitiated Art Basel is held in an enormous convention center w/ spinoff art fairs located in neighboring boutique hotels. Pulse, Verge, Scope were some of those they found more interactive and engaging than what was going on aboard the Mother Ship. Some very good dealers including Sara Nightingale were housed in the tiny hotel rooms. If the esteemed art critic, Mathew Collings is right in saying "Art is the antidote to consumerism", that would place art Basel top of the heap in a total display of commerce. Some very silly people confuse those two but I myself side with Collings. The whole show is divided into several categories: thematic shows, one person shows and group shows; then there's a whole block designated to art magazines and two food spots with exotic fare. The day after the big opening night was not that crowded and seamlessly easy to navigate. I will just quickly tell you my highlights of an overwhelming scene. First off Nick Cave's four chicly clad silver cone head sort of people: very great. Secondly,in the thematic realm architect Zaha Hadid's installation dedicated to the influence of the 20th century Russian Avant-Guard. Third, Alexis Smith's painting showing a bit of the California school of Pettibone and Ruscha. The rest of my picks are mostly the old tried and true Katz, Diebenkorn, Hannah Hoch, Rivers etc. Looking back I think these artists sprung out at me because of their substance, and in a show displaying endless works defined by glitz, ideas, idea of no idea, attention grabbing kitch it was easy to gravitate towards that antidote to consumerism. Back to NY and the SNOWIEST season we've had in years...over the holidays we went to tons of private gigs but managed to stop in to see what BoConcept and KolDesign with hosts Patrick McMullan, Michael Musto, Louis Sarmiento, Sam Bolton, Sally & Andrew Brunger, Niki & Shaokao Cheng had in store for us at their annual holiday party - make that DISCO w/ some eye popping snazzy peeps : )

The Wildlife Rescue Center of the Hamptons recently celebrated its 10th anniversary at New York City's The Volstead Restaurant & Lounge. The private event brought animal lovers out of the cold, including honorary board members Beth Ostrosky Stern, documentary filmmaker Avis Richards, Catherine Cahill, Maryann and Bob Marston, actor and film director Kevin Conway and Jane Notar. Hamptons For Haiti Benefit! Presented by Wings Over Haiti held their first annual gig at East Hampton Studio. What a gratifying experience to shake hands with a survivor of such an epic disaster...a pretty young girl who took the stage and described her experience right through her rescue while happily showing off her beautiful, bouncing little boy - both beaming smiles and DANCING - she too, having lost both her legs...it sure puts everything into perspective for ordinary folks. Special performances by Wyclef Jean's sister Melky and RAM got everyone else on the dance floor : ) Six weekends of Jazz Concerts is BACK AGAIN FOR 2011! Jazz on the Vine is the Long Island Culture & Wine WINTERFEST - then there's the Mothers of the Year 2011 Award Luncheon for The American Cancer Society NYC at The Plaza Hotel. Guild Hall celebrated the 26th Anniversary Academy of the Arts Lifetime Achievement Awards Dinner at Cipriani in Manhattan with Alec Baldwin, Dick Cavett and many other celebs! Honorees were Bob Balaban for Performing Arts; Richard Prince for Visual Arts; Marsha Norman for Literary Arts; and Susan and Alan Patricof for Leadership and Philanthropic Endeavors. Throughout the past twenty five years the Academy has honored both summer and year-round East End residents who have demonstrated excellence in the visual, literary, and performing arts. Some past recipients include: Steven Spielberg, Billy Joel, Elaine Stritch, Mel Brooks and Alec Baldwin for Performing Arts; Julian Schnabel, Willem de Kooning, Roy Lichtenstein, April Gornik and Chuck Close for Visual Arts; Kurt Vonnegut, E. L. Doctorow, Edward Albee, Joseph Heller and Joe Pintauro for Literary Arts; and Special Awards to Eli Wallach, Anne Jackson, and Peter Jennings, to name a few. Funds raised from the Award's dinner benefit Guild Hall's mission of celebrating the artistic spirit on the East End by educating, inspiring, and enriching diverse audiences with excellent and engaging year-round programming. Be sure to check Guild Hall's upcoming events page for more special programs and events! Restaurant Week is another wonderful springtime opportunity for discounted meals all around our towns throughout the hamptons so be sure to have a peek at our calendar for all these terrific happenings prior to our Summer calendar...we can't wait for that!!

In Manhattan The 3rd Annual Blossom Ball held at the New York Public Library with everyone's favorite Susan Sarandon and Padma Lakshmi & Tamer Seckin, MD to benefit The Endometriosis Foundation of America. Co-chairs of this black-tie affair along w/Susan Sarandon were Cindi Leive and Eileen Guggenheim with entertainment & music provided by Grammy nominee singer Bebel Gilberto. Over at The New York Athletic Club Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr. & Nick Springer were Honorary Chairs at Give Kids a Shot! the National Meningitis Association Gala which was their signature fundraising event to help NMA continue and expand its vital work in the fight against meningitis. Former New York Giants Football great Bart Oates and his wife Michelle were honored for their 25 year commitment to Pediatric Neurological Research with the Children's Advocacy Award. James C. Turner, M.D. and Professor of Internal Medicine at University of Virginia was for his outstanding leadership in meningococcal disease awareness and prevention with the Health Achievement Award. Also recognized were Nancy Ford Springer - Inspiration Award Honoree and icon actor Richard Thomas for his long standing support of NMA as well. Chau-Giang Thi Nguyen was presented with the International Ambassador of Education Through Music Award for her global charitable efforts through her music, "American Friends of Vietnam". Two-time Tony winner James Naughton served as MC treating everyone to a special performance. Other Chairs incluced Sara Herbert-Galloway and Gary Springer.

Theatre Row's legendary Firebird Russian Restaurant was holding court with a large group assembled for The 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Award Nominees announced at a special reception hosted by Carolyn Kendall Buchter, Ronald Buchter and Patricia Watt, Producer of the Astaire Awards. The "Astaires" are the only awards to honor excellence in dance and choreography on Broadway and in film. This year's Nominating Committee Chair is Sylviane Gold and 2011 Fred & Adele Astaire Awards Honorary Chairs are Judith Jamison and Wendy Federman. Awards Gala Chairs are Carolyn Kendall Buchter and Bruce Michael. This year's Awards are at the Skirball Center for Performing Arts at NYU. A vital aspect of the Center's mission is to build young adult audiences for the future of live performance. This kickoff party was followed up with anoother private cocktail reception ary Chairs are Judith Jamison and Wendy Federman. Awards Gala Chairs are hosted by Alix Michel at her home in Watermill for fellow committee members, gala chairs and co-chairs as an intimate fundraiser. The Kathryn Markel Fine Art Gallery in Bridgehampton was packed for the Retreat's 3rd Annual Juried Art Show opening night. With over 300 submissions, Jurors Bruce Helander and Arlene Bujese chose the 25 top entries which remained on display at the gallery right through the first week of May! This has become a popular springboard for artists and a wonderful approach to raise much needed awareness and funds for our only safe haven in the hamptons. Important Works From Over Six Decades of Artistic Creation in The Hamptons have been put together as a special show entitled Hamptons Then and Now running through June 3rd at the Gerald Peters Gallery in New York. Curated by Peter Marcelle and Gwynne Rivers, "Hamptons Then and Now", like its predecessor four years ago, includes some of the finest examples of the most influential and well-known Hamptons artists who have made an indelible mark on the art scene. Included in the show are works by Andrew Hart Adler & Carolyn Beegan, Ross Bleckner, Daria Deshuk, Willem de Kooning, Miriam Dougenis, Eric Ernst, Jimmy Ernst, Max Ernst, David Gamble, Nan Goldin, Robert Gwathmey, Jane Johnson, Lester Johnson, Josh Lehrer, Dennis Leri, Paton Miller, Kryn Olson, Alfonso Ossorio, Jackson Pollack, Larry Rivers, Dan Rizzie, David Slater, Mike Solomon, Syd Solomon, Strong-Cuevas, Donald Sultan, Darius Yektai and others. We grabbed a smigeon of the opening reception!!

Early morning presented a wonderful opportunity to network at The New York Women's Foundation 24th Annual Celebrating Women Breakfast at The New York Hilton honoring NoVo Foundation President Jennifer Buffett with the Vision Award (awarded to a strategic philanthropist whose contributions are focused on women and girls) plus NPR's Latino USA Anchor & Editor Maria Hinojosa as well as Human Rights Advocate & Artist Faith Ringgold with the Celebrating Women Award (awarded to women whose significant achievements have influenced the lives of - and provided a role model for - women and girls). Led by ABC Eyewitness News' Sade Baderinwa as Emcee, the event's Co-Chairs are Susan R. Cullman, Tuhina De O'Connor and Regan A. Solmo. NYWF will have given $28 million in grants to over 270 nonprofit organizations over the past 23 years! Next we'll give you the scoop on the Star Studded Red Carpet at the 29th Annual Fred & Adele Astaire Awards Honoring Excellence in Dance & Choreography on Broadway and in Film at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts and much more! There are loads of wonderful events to keep you going all through the year both here and in NYC - a hop, skip & jump away! The Hamptons don't just stop after summer and have been rapidly growing into a year round haven for everyone!! All the towns have been busily enlarging the schools and libraries and fire deparments and even Southampton Hospital to accomodate the huge growth & influx of new families and others who've fallen in love and decided to stay. We have also added our Fall/Winter/Spring calendar of events. We'll be posting this year's Summer 2011 Events Calendar for Memorial Day weekend and covering parties in other places! Till our next addition - enjoy the winter/spring solstices...BE MERRY and hopeful...here's wishing you wonderful holidays and a bright new year full of promise and joy : ) Keep checking back every week for more - we suggest bookmarking this page for easy access and preview some of the upcoming annual events on thehamptons.com's SUMMERTIME party page!! For larger size viewing check out our large screen videos in the bigger flash player and some of our previous seasons. You'll find all the great parties from last season and get an idea of what to look forward to for this year's events PLUS you just might see yourself in one of them. As per our copyright notice for this entire website, all content, photos & videos are copyrighted to thehamptons.com. If you would like a copy of any photo or video from any of these events, please get in touch with thehamptons.com by emailing us at staff@thehamptons.com and THANK YOU for visiting : ) If you feel the urge to explore The Hampton Jitney has a wine tour if you want to visit the North Fork and do some local wine tasting safely or try one of their other getaway expeditions! Here's our summertime party scoop & videos...until our starting gun goes off officially for the coming SUMMER season 2011...heck yeah we're all ready for you!!!