Hampton Habitués

Good News Gossip About Our Notable Friends And Neighbors

Stay Focused
It’s been way too long since we’ve had the pleasure of seeing one of our favorite Montauk resident’s brilliant work on the screen. But the wait is finally over now that Julianne Moore’s Sharper has been released on Apple TV+. Hip hip hooray!

You’re going to have to watch closely and really read between the lies for this neo-noir feature-film thriller. Full of twisty turns between con artists and billionaires, it’s filled with characters questing for considerable money, sex, position, and power. 

Set in Manhattan, naturally, the film stars Moore, John Lithgow, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith, and Brianna Middleton in a tale that will have you guessing until very final moments. 

Tunnel of Love
Manhattan has a gorgeous new attraction for those in the know. It’s the hippest new underground club of sorts for artists and art aficionados. If you haven’t yet been, you need to go. 

Set in the recently opened Grand Central Madison terminal and concourse for the Long Island Rail Road, the $11.1 billion MTA Arts & Design collection addition to Grand Central Terminal now boasts the work of a few more East End-linked artists. Of note are Kiki Smith, whose work is spread throughout the corridor — from River Light at the entrance to the concourse, and including The Water’s Way, The Presence, The Spring, and The Sound — and Roy Nicholson — whose stunning glass and mosaic pieces on permanent display at the LIRR Hicksville Station have been recreated and illuminated for display here as well. 

In the span of its nearly 40-year existence, MTA Arts & Design has showcased several locally known and internationally acclaimed artists. Those that leap to immediate mind are Eric Fischl, Chuck Close, Sol LeWitt, and Vic Muniz, whose work has appeared in various stations along the 250-mile subway station. So cool.

Time to Shine
We absolutely love it when good people get recognized for doing good for others. Such is the case for Theresa Roden, the Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of i-tri, who was recently featured as a guest on the Kelly Clarkson Show. 

During her 15 minutes of nationally televised fame, Roden was honored as a “Rad Human” and was able to share her story and that of the East End-based non-profit that she created. Sharing the stage with crooner Michael Bolton and actor Alison Brie, Roden was able to shine a major spotlight on i-tri’s inclusive and immersive approach to fostering self-respect, personal empowerment, self-confidence, positive body image, and healthy lifestyle choices for adolescent girls. That is so rad! 

Artistic Connections
Whilst on the subject of art, we cannot fail to mention that Helen Harrison, the Director of the Pollock-Krasner House and Study Center in East Hampton  — who also happens to be married to artist Roy Nicholson — has a terrific new page-turner out that’s ready for us to read. It’s called An Elegant Corpse, and it is book number four in her Art of Murder Mysteries series. 

Set at a palatial Hamptons estate, and including both real and imagined famous artists, the mystery unravels deliciously as the usual suspects try to prove themselves innocent while uncovering a killer. Other books written by Harrison include An Exquisite Corpse, An Accidental Corpse, and An Artful Corpse. We love it when talented people get to stretch and share their side hustles with us. So good!

Yet another Family Affair 
And speaking of famous creators who just happen to be related, it turns out that Emma Walton Hamilton and her mom, Julie Andrews, have a new book coming out too. Set to publish in September, it’s called The Enchanted Symphony and it’s a terrific picture book for children. 

Together Walton Hamilton, a Sag Harbor resident, and Andrews, a frequent guest, have authored more than 30 books together — eight of which have graced the New York Times bestseller list. This one is an inspiring book about the power of art, nature, and community, the illustrated book takes kids on a journey of imagination and appreciation of what matters most, even when times are tough. Love it!

Short & Sweet
Lastly, our hats are off to Bridget LeRoy (who is related by marriage to Walton Hamilton and Andrews, because it’s a small world after all) and Bryan Downey, who are burning up the festival circuit with their short film Bodhi-Sativa. 

Directed by LeRoy and co-produced by Downey, who also serves as cinematographer, the 12-minute documentary illuminates the life and struggles of David Falkowski, a third-generation farmer and owner of Open Minded Organics in Bridgehampton. The film was recently awarded Best Short Documentary at the Venice Indie Film Fest. Love it!