When I sat down with a local writer recently, I asked him what the biggest theme of Hamptons news was. He answered immediately: “development.” Members of the Save Sag Harbor organization, which is fighting against Main Street becoming “Chain Street,” were out in full force at this week’s zoning board of appeals meeting to protest developer Adam Potter’s proposed 81,000 square-foot mixed-use development on Bridge Street. One speaker warned the village was getting “out of control.” One chain that’s getting a warmer reception is the Target in Bridgehampton Commons, which is finally gearing up to open in October.
My friend Tiffany Rolfe, the global chief creative officer of R/GA, is an advertising visionary who has done clever things like brand baby carrots as junk food so kids will eat them. She took part in a Google project called “The Small Brief,” which had three modern Mad Men create commercials for small businesses they love using Google Flow, an AI creative studio. Rolfe chose Shelter Island’s family-owned South Ferry, and animated images from the Clark family and Shelter Island Historical Society to make her commercial. Here’s the finished commercial and the making-of documentary, both worth watching.
Another Shelter Island institution that hardly needs a shoutout—but I will give one anyway—is late artist John Chamberlain’s private exhibition space in a converted stable, which I wrote about for a recent issue of Sotheby’s magazine. Last night, head of Sotheby’s Media Kristina O’Neill hosted a dinner with Chamberlain’s super-stylish widow and stepdaughter Prudence and Alexandra Fairweather at the stable. It ended with guests including Sofia Coppola and Thomas Mars sprawled out on Chamberlain’s giant foam couch (or “barge”) during the torrential downpour. Alexandra said that they rotate between green, pink, and white couch covers for the “barge.” Chamberlain didn’t really care which one. But the guests of her vodcast “On the Couch” do: an artist specifically asked for the pink one for his upcoming appearance.
In today’s newsletter, a charmingly thirsty young singer-songwriter on his mission to score an invitation to next week’s John Mayer gig; a Hamptons Ten with fashion designer Joseph Altuzarra; and the surprising signature snack of an East Hampton art institution. This newsletter is free, but the next one is for paid subscribers only, so I’m running my first promotion: If you subscribe via this link by Sunday, an annual subscription is 20% off, and I’ll send you both print issues at the end of the summer.
For the Love of God, Let This Kid Into the John Mayer Show
Everyone knows the John Mayer concert at the Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett is impossible to get into, with the 250-capacity room mostly filled with Mayer’s friends and SiriusXM contest winners. His Deadhead bestie Andy Cohen will be doing a pre-show Q+A session. Frankly, it sounds like a lot of fun, and I’m sure the paps will have a field day out front. One man who is not resigned to sitting this one out is Taylor Thomas Lane, a 22-year-old Long Island musician who has been singing a John Mayer song every day since July in the hopes of getting a ticket. Lane, who is, if it’s not clear, a superfan, tells me, ”It’s hard, because I’m just a regular guy. I don’t really have connections or anything like that. Other than the sweepstakes, doing a song a day is the only thing I could really think of.”
So far, it hasn’t worked, but Lane’s undaunted. And the silver lining to his mission is that he’s getting more bookings and social media followers. Lane says, “Even if I don’t get a ticket, it would be cool just to know that [Mayer] saw it.”
Joseph Altuzarra’s East Hampton Grill Order
Joseph Altuzarra, the French-American designer behind the elegant, whimsical fashion brand Altuzarra, has been coming to the Hamptons for twelve years with his husband, real-estate investor Seth Weissman. When they built their current home in Water Mill, Altuzarra told Architectural Digest that his vision was very Diane Keaton in “Something’s Gotta Give”—”Gambrel rooflines! An ultimate kitchen! Hydrangeas!” The result was a Hamptons-y yet sleek compromise of a home with his minimalist husband, which they now share with their three children. In the thick of preparations for his spring 2027 show, Altuzarra shared his characteristically flawless Hamptons Ten list.
Describe your perfect Hamptons day.
Waking up with the kids, going horseback riding. Then lunch at Babe’s in Sag Harbor, spending the afternoon by the pool, and dinner and s’mores at home with the whole family.
What’s your favorite spot for a drink?
I’m not a big drinker— but I highly recommend Carissa’s in Sag Harbor for its unbelievable Iced Strawberry Matcha. It’s worth braving the traffic for.
What’s your secret shopping spot?
Bloom in Sag Harbor has the most exquisite tableware. [Ed. note: Cosign Bloom, with its excellent selection of Astier de Villatte! And amazed this is the first time it’s come up in THC.]
Who would you love to bump into at the farmer’s market?
Ina Garten.
What would be your dream dinner: spot, order, company?
East Hampton Grill dinner date with my husband— shrimp cocktail, followed by the tuna tartare entree, and the sundae for dessert.
What’s your advice to newbies about a visit out East?
Spend as little time on the road as possible.
Where do you go in the Hamptons to be alone?
The Hampton Library in Bridgehampton. [Ed. note: Another cosign. The library revealed a stunning $2 million interior renovation in July.]
What’s your go-to gift for hosts/hostesses?
A G.McGee Backgammon Towel set for the beach.
Who makes the best lobster roll?
The Dockhouse in Sag Harbor.
What’s the perfect book to read in the Hamptons?
Tom Lake by Ann Patchett.
What’s your favorite thing to do in the off season?
Apple picking and hayrides with the kids.
A Rock Solid Snack
Lisa Perry’s impeccably restored East Hampton mid-century gallery, Onna House, is filled with art from undersung female artists and craftspeople. But I zeroed in on the chocolate. In the kitchen, Perry’s signature snack is a bowl of chocolate bits that resemble colored rocks—an inspired novelty. When I discovered that they came from Nuts.com, I was excited. A pound of these cute nuggets could be mine for the low price of $15.49. Chocolate rocks were first developed by Joe Dutra for his Sacramento company Kimmie Candy in 2000. The “ChocoRocks” won “product of the year” at the 2003 Candy Grammys.
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Chocolate rocks are a gift shop staple! Love the idea of setting them out at a party.
Having met my husband at The Talkhouse 21 years ago, I have to admit I would also love that invite — but this young boy must get in!!