Friday, July 11th
MORE The Fifteen-Day Week
Back before the Hamptons became a Hummer-dinger of a society traffic jam, the annual Artists and Writers Softball Game in August had a pale-flabby-flailing charm. (You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Mort Zuckerman dig one out of the dirt.) Well, it’s still got The New Yorker’s Ken Auletta (the writers’ captain) and sporty spice Mike Lupica, and tonight the teams jimmy their jocks at a “Batters Box Benefit” for the East End Hospice. “The artists won last year, but the writers usually win,” said an organizer. “In the last 15 years the writers have certainly been dominant.” (Hmm, maybe that’s because of their designated hitter, Adderall.) Meanwhile, the East Hampton Historical Society (the name just makes us want to drink tea!) hosts its East Hampton Antiques Show. Ina Garten, of the delectable Barefoot Contessa cookbooks (i.e., the only reason we’ve ever brandished a spatula), serves as chair and will prepare appetizers such as her parmesan and thyme crackers. (Can we request her banana sour cream pancakes instead?) “Well, you know it’s a huge party,” said Ms. Garten when we called her up. “So a caterer and I who have worked together for years decided on the menu, but we did it so long ago, I honestly don’t remember the menu, so I don’t want to tell you anything incorrect! Many of the dishes will be in my new book, Back to Basics, which will be coming out in October.” And what is her most mouth-watering feat of culinary prowess ever? “Roast chicken, because it’s the easiest thing in the world,” she said. “And there’s not anyone who doesn’t love roast chicken. Don’t you just love Paris! When you’re in New York you’re always thinking, What should I do, Where should I go, What should I wear. When you’re in Paris, you’re just happy. People all the way back from Thomas Jefferson say that. When you’re there, you’re just happy. When I’m here in East Hampton, I’m happy, too!” Banana. Sour. Cream. Pancakes. Please.
[Batters Box Benefit Cocktail Party, Bridgehampton Historical Society, 6 p.m., 631-283-5505, www.arthamptons.com; Opening Night Preview Cocktail Party for the East Hamptons Antiques Show, Mulford Farm, 10 James Lane, East Hampton, 6 p.m., www.easthamptonhistory.org]
mbryan@observer.com
