East Hampton’s LongHouse Reserve To Celebrate Brooklyn-Based Trailblazers During Annual Summer Gala

The LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton will pay homage to two Brooklyn risk-takers during its Summer Benefit on Saturday, July 21. This year’s fundraiser, LongHouse Celebrates Brooklyn, will honor Dustin Yellin and Pioneer Works, as well as Joe Melillo and BAM Next Wave.

“LongHouse Celebrates Brooklyn is all about art, artists and artisanal approaches to everything from the food to the fragrance,” noted Dianne Benson, LongHouse President. “Join us for a Benefit unlike the other Benefits and keep LongHouse in your heart forever.”

Yellin, who will be celebrating his 42nd birthday at the event, will be toasted to for his art and gutsy entrepreneurship, which has shaped the 21st century and is reshaping concepts of progress and cross-culture. Yellin founded Pioneer Works, “a cultural center dedicated to experimentation, education, and production across disciplines.” The majority of Pioneer Works’ funds are allotted to presenting comlimentary and affordable programs. Each year the center welcomes over 150,000 guests, while virtually, they host nearly 500,000 yearly visitors.

Melillo has served as the executive producer of BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music), a multi-arts center located in Brooklyn, since 1999. Not only did Melillo initiate BAM’s Next Wave Festival, which features 12 weeks of cross-genre performances, back in 1983, but he was also the first to see the avant garde genius in luminaries like Watermill Center’s Robert Wilson and artist Laurie Anderson and others such as Mark Morris, Pina Bausch and William Kentridge.

The benefit honorees embody the unconventionality and boldness that LongHouse has always stood for. Embracing the Brooklyn culture from which both are from, there will be beer, music, Bob Dylan bourbon and some science, presented in the typical LongHouse style of feast and surprises.

The event will start at 6 p.m. with cocktails, music and an all senses auction. Dinner and the honors celebration will follow at 7:45 p.m. and after, drinks and dancing.

There will also be a performance by Julia Davis, Knauer Never, Revel in Dimes and High and Mighty Brass Band.

Dress attire is “shimmer, shine and shades of blue.”

Tickets range from $1,250 to $5,000. Tickets from LongHouse Contemporaries Members (21-35 years of age) are $650.

The LongHouse Reserve is located at 133 Hands Creek Road in East Hampton.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.longhouse.org.