THE 13TH ANNUAL A HAMPTONS HAPPENING HONORS DIVERSE INDUSTRY LEADERS TO BENEFIT THE SAMUEL WAXMAN CANCER RESEARCH FOUNDATION

PHILANTHROPIC FEAST ANNOUNCES NEW RESEARCH GRANTS AND
SHOWCASES PERFORMANCES BY RUFUS WAINWRIGHT AND SOPHIE BEEM
August 7, 2017 — The 13th Annual A Hamptons Happening celebrated culinary excellence, philanthropy and science for a cancer cure on August 5, 2017 to benefit the research programs of the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF). The event marked the announcement of two new SWCRF research grants and closed with exciting performances by Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright and recording artist Sophie Beem, a protégé of Beyoncé.
Set under an expansive tent at the Bridgehampton estate of Maria and Kenneth Fishel, the fundraiser featured tastings from some of the leading chefs, restaurants and food and beverage brands in New York City and the Hamptons. Highlights included the announcements of two separate grants created by the SWCRF in collaboration with the Kate McGarrigle Foundation and the Ann Liguori Foundation for research in sarcoma and ovarian cancer, respectively. Ms. Liguori presented a $15,000 check to SWCRF Founder and CEO Samuel Waxman, M.D. during the announcement of their joint grant. Dr. Waxman then delivered an overview of the new SWCRF Partnership for Aging and Cancer Research, leading into the science auction led by auctioneer Lucas Hunt.
During the exciting live auction, Mr. Wainwright joined Mr. Hunt on the stage to announce his donation of a private meet-and-greet with him and the opportunity for the top bidder to enjoy at home for a month the Steinway piano he played during his performance at the event. The experience drew the evening’s highest bid of $20,000.
A Hamptons Happening was hosted by CBS 2 News anchor Chris Wragge and honored the achievements and charitable contributions of high-profile professionals from a wide range of industries: Glenn Myles, Chairman and CEO of First Wall Street Capital; Bobbie Lloyd, Chief Baking Officer of Magnolia Bakery; Shep Gordon, Talent Manager, Hollywood Film Agent, Producer and Author; Gabriel Kreuther, Owner and Executive Chef of Gabriel Kreuther Restaurant, a Michelin Star recipient, and Relais & Chateaux restaurant; and Margaret Hayes, President and CEO of Fashion Group International.
The honorees delivered heartfelt acceptance remarks during the awards ceremony hosted by Mr. Wragge as they received awards of recognition from Dr. Waxman and SWCRF Executive Director William T. Sullivan. In other highlights, Mr. Sullivan acknowledged the event chairs, sponsors, event partners, volunteers and staff members who contributed to the fundraiser’s success. He also presented a bouquet of flowers to Founding Chair Marion Waxman in recognition of her years of service to the SWCRF by spearheading the popular fundraiser.
This year’s benefit was chaired by event Co-Founder Marion Waxman and co-chairs Karen Amster-Young, Chris Arlotta, Jake Croman, Erica Linden-Fineberg, Jacob Frisch, Jessica Mackin-Cipro, Jennifer Saraf Myles and Jake Taub.
Notable attendees included: Lori Stokes, Sharon Wilkes Kinberg and Robert Kinberg, Sybil and David Yurman, Elin and Michael Nierenberg, Maria and Kenneth Fishel, Sandy and Marc Taub, Pamela Morgan, Norena Barbella, Laurie Schaffran, James Frankel, Lewis A. Rubin, Gary Jacob, Bettina and Spencer Waxman, Julie and Scott Waxman, Ann Liguori, Scott Vallery, Bobbie Lloyd, Mark Petracca, Shep Gordon, Margaret Hayes, Gabriel Kreuther, Marion Waxman, Samuel Waxman, M.D., William T. Sullivan, Cesar Ricci, Karen Amster-Young, Chris Arlotta, Jake Croman, Erica Linden-Fineberg, Jacob Frisch, Jessica Mackin-Cipro, Jennifer Saraf Myles, Glenn Myles, Sarah and Chris Wragge, Elle Winter and Jake Taub.
During the week preceding the event, Magnolia Bakery introduced a limited-edition Hamptons Happening cupcake created by honoree Bobbie Lloyd for sale at Magnolia Bakery locations throughout New York City to support the event’s fundraising efforts for the SWCRF.
A Hamptons Happening is among the most eagerly awaited events of the Hamptons social calendar. Drawing on average 500 guests, the benefit is a scrumptious celebration of New York’s finest cuisine, personally presented by the top chefs of the most celebrated restaurants in New York City and the Hamptons. Guests indulge their appetites for the savory and the sweet, mix and mingle, bid on exciting auction items and dance to today’s hottest tunes, all the while collaborating to fund science’s quest for a cure for cancer.
Guests bid on a wide range of covetable items and experiences in the A Hamptons Happening silent auction, including cashmere loungewear from Arlotta Cashmere, electric-powered children’s cars donated by Mercedes Benz Southampton, a $5,000 dinner package at Il Buco, a 24-hour ultimate Tesla experience, dinner for 12 with two bottles of wine at Trattoria L’Incontro, and stylish sunglasses and a shopping party at Alice & Olivia, among many other items. The event’s raffle included opportunities to win a crystal bowl by Tiffany & Co., a Nespresso maker courtesy of Williams-Sonoma Bridgehampton and Vicky Tiel fragrances, among other luxury items.
The event was produced by Robin Lathrop of By Robin. Music and a fun photo booth were provided by Untouchable Events.
Sponsors and event partners included: AmTrust Title, Hamptons Magazine, Media Sponsor, The Independent, Newspaper Partner, Keith’s Nervous Breakdown Margarita Mix, Pottery Barn Southampton, and Williams-Sonoma Bridgehampton.
The delicious tasting stations surrounding honoree Chef Gabriel Kreuther’s showcase of cuisine and desserts included an array of popular restaurants, chefs and spirits brands: The Savory: The 21 Club; Backyard Brine Pickle Co.; Calissa, Chef Dominic Rice; Centro Trattoria and Bar; Eataly; The Golden Pear, Keith Davis; Chef Gabriel Kreuther; Manna, Chef Marco Barrila; Neuman’s Kitchen, Paul Neuman; Saaz Indian Restaurant, Sameer Mohan; Seafood Shop, Colin Mather; and The Union League Club, Russell Rosenberg. The Sweet: Candied Anchor, Jillian Rennar; Clarkson Avenue Crumb Cakes, Susan Walsh; Erica’s Rugelach, Erica Kalick; Lisa Vivo Custom Cakes, Lisa Vivo; Magnolia Bakery, Bobbie Lloyd; and Southfork Bakery. Beverages: Doña Sarita Mezcal, Haas Brothers, Keith’s Nervous Breakdown Margarita Mix, Moët, Montauk Brewing Co., Montauk Hard Label Whiskey, Palm Bay International, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka. Great Performances coordinated all chef logistics, beverage and service.
Performers from The National Circus Project were again on hand to delight attendees with their whimsical presence and magic tricks.
To download selected photos, please visit: http://bit.ly/2uCk9Q1
To view a full gallery of Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com images, please visit: http://www.societyallure.com/Hamptons-2017/13thAnnual-A-Hampton-Happening-to-benefit-the-Samuel-Waxman/
(Photo Credit: D.Gonzalez for Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com)
About Rufus Wainwright
Praised by the New York Times for his “genuine originality,” Rufus Wainwright has established himself as one of the great male vocalists and songwriters of his generation. The New York-born, Montreal-raised singer songwriter has released seven studio albums, three DVDs, and three live albums, including the fantastic Grammy nominated Rufus Does Judy at Carnegie Hall, which captured his celebrated Judy Garland tribute performance at the London Palladium in 2007, and the album Release The Stars which went Gold in Canada and the U.K. Wainwright has received Juno Awards for Best Alternative Album in 1999 and 2002 for Rufus Wainwright and Poses, respectively, and nominations for his albums Want Two (2005) and Release the Stars (2008). He was nominated for Songwriter of the Year in 2008 for his Release the Stars album. He also composed the original music for choreographer Stephen Petronio’s work BLOOM which has toured across the country. Musically Rufus has collaborated with artists including Elton John, David Byrne, Boy George, Joni Mitchell, Pet Shop Boys and producer Mark Ronson among others. His most recent collaboration is on the title track of Robbie Williams’ latest album, Swings Both Ways, which was co-written with renowned musician and producer Guy Chambers and sung as a duet between Rufus and Robbie. In addition to being a celebrated contemporary pop singer, Rufus has made a name for himself in the classical world. His much acclaimed first opera, titled Prima Donna, premiered at the Manchester International Festival in July 2009. The opera was subsequently performed in London at Sadler’s Wells in April 2010, in Toronto at the Luminato Festival in June 2010 and at the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s Howard Gilman Opera House in February 2012. Now fully established as a composer of operas, Rufus has been commissioned by the Canadian Opera Company to write his second opera based on the story of the Roman Emperor Hadrian and Antinous. The new opera will premiere in Toronto in October 2018.
About Sophie Beem
Sophie Beem is a rhythmic pop singer, songwriter, musician from New York City, discovered and developed by. She released her first EP last year with songs like “I Got It” featuring , “Nail Polish” which was featured in HBO’s critically acclaimed series, Insecure, and “Girls Will Be Girls” which was played on Radio Disney and featured in the box office summer smash, Bad Moms, and BET’s hit show Being Mary Jane. Sophie toured with, opened for
About the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation (SWCRF)
The Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to curing and preventing cancer. The Foundation is a pioneer in cancer research and its mission is to eradicate cancer by funding cutting-edge research that identifies and corrects abnormal gene function that causes cancer and develops minimally toxic treatments for patients. Through the Foundation’s collaborative group of world-class scientists, the Institute Without Walls, investigators share information and tools to speed the pace of cancer research. Since its inception in 1976, the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation has awarded approximately $90 million to support the work of more than 200 researchers across the globe.
For more information on SWCRF, visit: www.waxmancancer.org
For more information on A Hamptons Happening, ticket packages and sponsorships, visit
www.waxmancancer.org/Events/Hamptons-Happening or call 212-867-4502.
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