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Hamptons.com
July 19, 2013

INTERVIEW Russell Simmons: Art For Life Hamptons A Field Of Dreams

Nicole B. Brewerby Nicole B. Brewer
in Recreation
Home Recreation

“Art For Life is a labor of love,” says one of the Hamptons most famous former residents, music mogul Russell Simmons, of the annual summer gala that has become the most star-studded event of the season – think Oscar winners Jennifer Hudson and Gwyneth Paltrow, and musicians Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and John Legend. This year is no different with performances by Estelle, Maxwell, and Rick Ross as well as DJ MOS planned and honorees including filmmaker and philanthropist Tyler Perry, President and Artistic Director at Creative Time Anne Pasternak, Co-Founders of Demarest Films Samuel Englebardt and William D. Johnson, featured artist Rashid Johnson, and novelist Walter Mosley guaranteed to bring an A-List crowd out to celebrate and support the arts.

Art For Life 2013 honorees Anne Pasternak (center), (clockwise from top left) Tyler Perry, Samuel Englebardt, Walter Mosley, and William D. Johnson. (Courtesy Photos)

“When I was in school I had art programs and music programs. Everything I’ve done today has been because I was able to exercise creativity as a young person. Art allows people a way to dream their way out of their struggle,” says Russell. The man who would become a global icon grew up humbly in Jamaica, Queens. His father was a teacher, later a professor of Black History at Pace University, and his mother worked for the New York City Parks Department. Russell tells me, “They were also artists.”

“The reason we started Art For Life in the Hamptons,” Russell explains, “is because there are so many giving people there. Before I sold my house in East Hampton, my backyard was the space for this event and we were able to raise a lot of money and do good things for young people. Art For Life is the best party in the Hamptons.” Together with his brothers, artist Danny Simmons and Joseph “Rev. Run” Simmons of Run-DMC, Russell founded Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation in 1995 to “fill the gap that the disenfranchised and people of color faced in both accessing the arts and exhibition opportunities.” For the last 14 years, the family has hosted the fundraising event, Art For Life, at Russell’s East Hampton home. With the recent sale of the house came a new location, Fairview Farms in Bridgehampton, for the gala slated for Saturday, July 27, 2013.

Russell takes a minute to enjoy the night with brother Danny Simmons at Art For Life 2012. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com)


To pull off a spectacular event for 1,000 – dressed this year in hues of “dreamy peacock, aquamarine, and amethyst” as per the invitation – and raise millions for art in the process takes a great team of dedicated people says Russell, “We have an amazing team and so many partners that come together to make the event a success. We’ve developed a broad base of friends, collaborators and supporters dedicated to addressing the issue of filling the gap that disenfranchised people face in both accessing the arts and exhibition opportunities.” That A-team includes honorary event chairs Star Jones and Michael Strahan, the evening’s host Soledad O’Brien, auction chairs Shamin Abas and Angella Forbes, and committee members including Lala Anthony, actress/model Patricia Velasquez, Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, Sara Herbert-Galloway and Barry Klarberg, model Petra Nemcova, designer Rachel Roy, and author and former “The Real Housewives of New York City” star Kelly Bensimon.

Soledad O’Brien, Tangie Murray, Danny Simmons, Mary J.Blige, Kimberly B.Davis, Tamara Mellon, Oz Mellon, and Edward Norton, with Russell Simmons at Art For Life 2011. (Photo: Rob Rich/SocietyAllure.com)


“My typical day in the Hamptons starts at the beach,” says Russell. “I usually meditate there for a while then head to yoga. I’ll have a vegan lunch at Babette’s then, if I have guests, its back home to hang out there with friends.”

Russell, who names Ross Bleckner, April Gornik, and Chuck Close as his favorite Hamptons artists, finds inspiration everywhere and passes on that positivity to his 2.8+ million @UncleRUSH Twitter followers, including yours truly. “What inspires me changes on a daily basis,” he says. “One day it’s Deepak Chopra and the Dalai Lama and the next it’s the selflessness of Nelson Mandela.”

Russell get a smooch from daughter Ming Lee at Art For Life 2010. (Photo: Colin Graham)


What’s next for Russell? “I relocated to Los Angeles full time to spend more time with my kids [Ming Lee Simmons and Aoki Lee Simmons with former wife Kimora Lee Simmons]. I also recently launched my YouTube original content channel, ADD. ADD Video will be a platform for online users to celebrate and explore some of the coolest lifestyle projects with great access to current and rising stars across entertainment, music, fashion, sports, and film – all with a different take on the news.”

Over the years Hamptons.com has been proud to support Art For Life as a media partner, and will do so again this year. During those years Russell has told me time and time again that he “wouldn’t be here without art.” I am sure that the many children and young people who have benefited from the enrichment they received at the various Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation programs over the years would agree.

You can be part of “Art For Life” by purchasing tickets or bidding in the online auction that includes experiences with Magic Johnson, Sarah Jessica Parker, Robin Thicke, LL Cool J, One Direction, and Lyor Cohen on Charity Buzz.

Guests at Art For Life 2013 will be treated to performances by Estelle, Maxwell, and Rick Ross. (Courtesy Photos)

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30 Designers Featured In 2013 Hampton Designer Showhouse

30 Designers Featured In 2013 Hampton Designer Showhouse

  • LVIS thrift shops are open Tuesdays through Saturdays 10 AM through 5 PM

donations are accepted Wednesday through Saturday 10 AM through 1 PM by appointment 

located at 95 Main St East Hampton
  • Check out the Top Hamptons Events This Weekend!⁠
⁠
🚗 The Bridge IX⁠
📅 Sat, Sept 13 | 2–7PM⁠
📍 The Bridge, Bridgehampton⁠
Over 300 rare automobiles showcased across stunning landscapes.⁠
⁠
🎬 23rd Annual Surf Movie Night⁠
📅 Fri, Sept 12 | 5:30–9PM⁠
📍 Southampton Arts Center⁠
Surfboard swap, live music & outdoor film screening. 🌊⁠
⁠
🍝 San Gennaro Feast of the Hamptons⁠
📅 Sat, Sept 13 – Sun, Sept 14 | 10AM⁠
📍 Hampton Bays⁠
Italian pastries, live entertainment & fireworks Sat @ 8:15PM 🎆⁠
⁠
🎭 In Process: Roderick George⁠
📅 Sat, Sept 13 | 7PM⁠
📍 Guild Hall, East Hampton⁠
A special in-process presentation of The Missing Fruit (Part I).⁠
⁠
🎤 Sheena Easton at WHBPAC⁠
📅 Sat, Sept 13 | 8PM⁠
📍 Westhampton Beach PAC⁠
Grammy-winning artist live on stage!⁠
⁠
☕ Cars & Coffee⁠
📅 Sun, Sept 14 | 9–11AM⁠
📍 Bridgehampton Museum⁠
Classic & exotic cars, food, drinks & live music.⁠
⁠
🛍 Hampton Vintage⁠
📅 Sun, Sept 14 | 10AM–5PM⁠
📍 Westhampton Beach Village Green⁠
Shop unique vintage finds!⁠
⁠
🎶 Hamptons Festival of Music Finale⁠
📅 Sun, Sept 14 | 4PM⁠
📍 St. Luke’s Church, East Hampton⁠
Featuring Cimarosa, Berlioz & Beethoven.⁠
⁠
🍷 Wine Dinner with Pradorey at R.AIRE⁠
📅 Tues, Sept 16 | 6:30PM⁠
📍 Hampton Bays⁠
Five-course tasting menu with exquisite wine pairings.⁠
⁠
🎥 Toy Story 30th Anniversary Screening⁠
📅 Sept 12–15 | Various Times⁠
📍 Southampton Playhouse⁠
Celebrate Woody & Buzz’s timeless adventure!⁠
⁠
Check out more events at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#carshow #hamptons #sangennaro #sangennarofeast #winedinner #bridgeIX
  • The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF Hamptons) hosted the Bow Wow Meow Ball in East Hampton. The evening’s honorees, Ellen and Chuck Scarborough, were presented with the Champion of Animals Award, recognizing their more than twenty-five years of support to ARF. ⁠
⁠
Over 400 guests celebrated ARF’s remarkable work with cocktails, followed by dinner catered by Olivier Cheng. Peter Marino, accompanied by his daughter and ARF Board Member Isabelle Trapnell Marino, presented the Scarboroughs with their award. ⁠
⁠
📸: Patrick McMullan/PMC⁠
⁠
Check out the full gallery at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#arf #bowwowmeowball #hamptons #animalrescuefund #animalrescue
  • Make sure to add this event to your list for next summer
#Seafood #localeats #mtk #montaukgreen
  • I recently toured the new Rolex Boutique by London Jewelers in East Hampton, and it’s one of the most beautiful retail spaces I’ve ever stepped into. Located on Newtown Lane, the boutique is set inside a restored historic home that dates back to 1897, originally designed as a summer cottage.⁠
⁠
From the outside, it has that classic East Hampton charm, cedar shingles, white trim, and lush landscaping. But once you step inside, it’s all about quiet sophistication.⁠
⁠
The space is warm and welcoming, with walnut wood paneling, soft neutral tones, and beautiful textures throughout. There’s a fluted marble wall in a rich green Verdi Alpi stone that immediately catches your eye. It’s one of those details that’s understated but unmistakably Rolex.⁠
⁠
Read the full article at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#rolex #easthampton #hamptons #luxury #watch⁠
  • 🎾 Men’s US Open Final Viewing Party⁠
📅 Sun, Sept 7 • 2–5PM⁠
📍 Canoe Place Inn, Hampton Bays⁠
Watch the riveting Men’s US Open Final with drinks, grilled classics & fellow tennis fanatics in the lush garden.⁠
⁠
🦞 Montauk Seafood Festival⁠
📅 Sat, Sept 6 – Sun, Sept 7 • 12–5PM⁠
📍 On the Green, Montauk⁠
The ultimate seafood event in the Hamptons! Lobster rolls, fish tacos, chowder, oysters & more 🐚🍤⁠
⁠
🩰 Master Class w/ Kat Wildish⁠
📅 Sat, Sept 6⁠
📍 Hamptons Ballet Theatre School, Bridgehampton⁠
Open-level adult ballet class with world-renowned former NYCB & ABT dancer Kat Wildish. One day only!⁠
⁠
🎶 Hamptons Festival of Music⁠
📅 Sat, Sept 6 • 7PM⁠
📍 St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, East Hampton⁠
THFM’s MainStage Festival Orchestra featuring The New American Sinfonietta 🎻✨⁠
⁠
🌾 Outstanding in the Field (Sagaponack)⁠
📅 Sun, Sept 7 • 3PM⁠
Dine where the food is grown! Guest chef Jason Weiner returns for his 19th year 🍽️🌱⁠
⁠
😂 Samantha Bee Live⁠
📅 Sat, Sept 6 • 8PM⁠
📍 WHBPAC, Westhampton Beach⁠
Award-winning comedian Samantha Bee brings her one-woman show to the Hamptons!⁠
⁠
🍴 Stirring The Pot: Andrew Carmellini⁠
📅 Sun, Sept 7 • 11AM⁠
📍 Guild Hall, East Hampton⁠
NYT’s Florence Fabricant interviews star chef Andrew Carmellini about his restaurant empire.⁠
⁠
🌕 Full Harvest Moon Hike⁠
📅 Sun, Sept 7 • 7:30PM⁠
📍 Meet at SOFO Museum, Bridgehampton/Sag Harbor Tpke⁠
Walk under the moonlight with Friends of the Long Pond Greenbelt 🌙✨⁠
⁠
🎨 Style Beading Workshop⁠
📅 Fri, Sept 5 • 1PM⁠
📍 Nathaniel Rogers House, Bridgehampton⁠
Join Indigenous artist Savannah LeCornu to learn traditional beading techniques.⁠
⁠
⛳ A Legendary Day at Sebonack!⁠
📅 Tues, Sept 9 • 8:30AM–5PM⁠
📍 Sebonack Golf Club, Southampton⁠
An unforgettable day of golf supporting Westhampton Beach PAC 🌟⁠
⁠
👉 Which event are you going to this weekend?⁠
⁠
Check out more events at Hamptons.com (Link in Bio)⁠
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#community #entertainment #hamptons #usopen #golf #comedy #seafood #montauk
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