KENNY LATTIMORE AND ESNAVI PERFORM LIVE AT ART & SOUL: HAMPTONS WITH AN ART WALK, A FILM SCREENING, AND A VIP BRUNCH AT 75 MAIN.

On July 22-24, 2022 the Hamptons experienced a soulful weekend attended by artists, art curators, art collectors, philanthropists, businessmen, media professionals, and cultural elite from the Hamptons, for a festive and fun-filled weekend. ART & SOUL: Hamptons was produced and curated by Yaya Reyes to celebrate art created by influential and emerging Black, Indigenous and Artists of Color living in the Hamptons community and beyond.

DAY 1: A VIP pre-mixer was held at The Hamlet Inn in Southampton, NY, where VIPs mixed and mingled and sipped champagne. Southampton African American Museum hosted the opening reception in collaboration with Southampton Arts Center— a hub that is helping to strengthen arts and culture for the entire community.  Light bites were catered by Hiatus Hospitality and The Party Perfectionists, owned by Caterer Deana Smith of the Shinnecock Indian Nation. Maison Marcel sponsored the crisp and refreshing rosé, while Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey sponsored the whiskey cocktails.

DAY 2: This weekend event included activities that supported and connected artists in the Hamptons. Guests enjoyed the three-stop art walk, which included the work of John Pinderhughes (SAAM), Tanya Willock and Temidra Willock-Morsch (Hidden Gem NY – a home decor and lifestyle boutique), and various artists from the TECHSPRESSIONINSM – Digital & Beyond exhibition at Southampton Arts Center.

A brunch was held shortly after the art walk for VIPs. As part of ART & SOUL: Hamptons weekend, Brown Skin Brunchin’ partnered with BRONZE Magazine to host a sold out VIP brunch at hot spot 75 MAIN. Among the attendees were Hamptons and New York’s socially connected Black and Brown women who are leaders in their fields, as well as GRAMMY-nominated R&B/Soul artist Kenny Lattimore and TOP 40 R&B/Soul artist ESNAVI.

VIPs guests attended the Polo Match & Cocktail Party in true Hamptons style, enjoying reserved VIP Cabanas next to supermodel Christie Brinkley. Taking place in Bridgehampton, NY, the polo event is presented by Social Life Magazine, and it is quite the event of the summer with over 1,000 guests in attendance.

Among the highlights of the event was the VIP SOUL LIVE EXPERIENCE hosted by Kevin Thompson – the Entertainer, featuring performances by GRAMMY-Nominated Singer/Songwriter Kenny Lattimore, HOT TOP 40 R&B/Soul Singer/Songwriter ESNAVI, a poem by museum founder Brenda Simmons (SAAM), and exclusive tunes by DJ International Vybz Empress. 1804 Fyete catered the soul food, Signature Bride Magazine sponsored the bridal cocktail bar, and WOW Bouquet sponsored the edible bouquet towers.

The final day included a private tour of Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio located on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation led by Jeremy Dennis. It was a great opportunity for guests to learn about the history, culture, and contributions of the Native American Shinnecock Tribe to the Hamptons.

The weekend wrapped up with a culinary tasting experience presented by the Black Culinary Expo where various accomplished celebrity chefs served soulful cuisine: Chef Stephan Durand (yellow grits w/etouffee of legumes and shrimp), Chef Marc Anthony Bynum (grilled watermelon salad and banana pudding), Chef Timothy Walker (buffalo chicken, mac & cheese, sweet potato cobbler w/almond crumbler), Chef Fresh (carrot cake cookies, peach cobbler, banana pudding), and Chef Sandy Pierre (spicy shrimp, black wild mushroom rice). Sommelier Coviello Salinès educated guests about wine and personally served some favorites from his collection: Amour Blue Wine, Peramo Champagne, Italian Lambrusco, Peach Moscato D’Asti, and a 2015 South African Pinotage, while other guests enjoyed crafted cocktails created by The Party Perfectionists, which all took place at the Hamptons Hiatus, a members only social club located in the Hamlet Green in Hampton Bays. In conjunction with the culinary expo, an Outdoor Art Exhibition took over the Hamlet Green lawn with featured art work by Danielle Leggard, Sage Gallon, Tatiana EL-Khouri, Kervin Andre, Odile Jacottarte, and Andrew F. Scott. Road to Artdom hosted a live mural painting which was a fun activity for the community to express their creativity and connect with artists.

You cannot have an event for VIPs without goodies to make them feel welcomed. VIPs received sponsored luxury gift bags filled with swag, curated just for them. Here is what was inside: Ocean’s Promise sea moss gummies, BYROE facial serum, Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, TRENDZIO knot bracelets, Spa Sciences professional beauty tools, Pink Mahoghany perfume vials, DAX For Naturals curling hair cream and protein hair treatment, We Are Fluide liquid lipstick and universal lip balm, DIVINE chocolate, LaJeanell organic vegan makeup, Dolce & Lay bath & body oil, JJL Candle Co. scented candles, Mr. Tortilla salsa and tortilla chips, Three Commas Colombian organic coffee, EmBeba dry skin rescue balm, Kyvan Body Essentials lip balm, Halfpenny Postage greeting cards, SANG Vietnamese coffee, SOVANY flavored sparkling water, Nature’s Garden trail mix snacks, Minor Figures dairy-free coffee, and Uplift Foods pre-biotic snack bars.  

EVENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS 

SOUTHAMPTON AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM was founded and created by Brenda Simmons to promote an understanding and appreciation of African American culture by creating programs that will preserve the past, encourage learning and enhance the life of the community.    

SOUTHAMPTON ARTS CENTER provides a dynamic venue to present the highest quality programming to the entire community through partnerships with a diverse slate of world-class artists, performers, educators and cultural institutions. 

MA’S HOUSE & BIPOC ART STUDIO is a project that serves as a communal art space based on the Shinnecock Indian Reservation in Southampton, NY. The family house, built in the 1960s, features a residency program for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), art studio, library, along with hosting an array of art and history-based programs for tribe members and the broader local community.  

HIATUS HOSPITALITY was created by Caterers Deana and Batya Smith; providing party and event concierge services throughout the Hamptons, the rest of Long Island and the tri-state NY/NJ/CT area. Hamptons Hiatus (members only social club and venue space), The Experience Exhibition (a series of curated social events), The Party Perfectionists (exemplary and refined event staffing for homes and event spaces in the Hamptons) and Poppin Patties (delicious signature bites for social functions and daily consumption) are encompassed under one creative entity.

BLACK CULINARY EXPO is a culinary experience highlighting Black-owned restaurants, caterers, chefs, and food/beverage brands. The platform also hosts an annual experience to highlight Black Culinarians, while also providing visibility to entrepreneurs within the industry including wine and spirits. Through a series of pop-up dinners, expositions, and celebrations, Black Culinary Expo highlights Black excellence within the food and wine industry.

ART & SOUL: HAMPTONS is designed to highlight art created by influential and emerging Black, Indigenous and Artists of Color living in the Hamptons and beyond. ART & SOUL: Hamptons is led by Founder Yaya Reyes, Rhonda Ridley of Affinity PR, Tanya Pessoa, Black Women in Media, Black Culinary Expo, Michelle Mitchellof Brown Skin Brunchin’, with key support from the Southampton African American Museum, Southampton Arts Center, Ma’s House & BIPOC Art Studio, Hiatus Hospitality, EBX Studios, 1804 Fyete, Hidden Gem NY, hotel sponsor The Hamlet Inn, the Hamlet Green, BRONZE Magazine, SIGNATURE BRIDE Magazine, the Hamptons Mouthpiece, East End Taste, New York Style Guide, Le Car Co., Road To Artdom, ART LUXE Gallery, Lana Walker, Alexandra Spirer, and Marianne Morrison.