LongHouse Reserve in East Hampton will host its winter benefit, A Love Song to Jack, on Valentine’s Day. The virtual event is held as an elegant ode to LongHouse’s beloved founder Jack Lenor Larsen, who recently passed away at 93.
The evening kicks off with a heartfelt rendition of “It Had To Be You” from JoyJanJones, followed by love songs performed by Laurie Anderson, Royal Khaoz, Nico Muhly, G.E. Smith and Taylor Barton-Smith, and Rufus Wainwright.
“A Love Song to Jack will be the most exciting 45 minutes one has ever or will ever spend on Zoom,” said Dianne Benson, the president of LongHouse’s board of trustees.
“Being Jack Larsen’s favorite holiday, on Valentine’s Day we are paying tribute to him in words and songs,” she said.
The event will include an exclusive tour of Larsen’s residence at LongHouse led by this year’s Art Leadership Award recipient Paul Goldberger. It will also include a look inside this year’s LongHouse Award recipient, Shirin Neshat’s Brooklyn-based art studio.
Former LongHouse Art Leadership Award recipients include Donna Karan, Dorothy Lichtenstein, Lisa de Kooning, Agnes Gund, H. Peter Stern, and Julian Schnabel. Former LongHouse Award recipients include Yoko Ono, Bill T. Jones, Christo and Jean-Claude, Ai Weiwei, Cindy Sherman, and Edward Albee.
Conversations will be had with the benefit’s Loving Couple Honorary Chairs: Bill T. Jones and Bjorn Amelan, Eric Fischl and April Gornik, and Rufus Wainwright and Jörn Weisbrodt.
“Songs of love will be shared from a fantastic range of musicians and voices,” said Benson.
Tickets for the benefit come with Love Boxes, crafted by the LongHouse team, some of which include candy, cocktails, chocolates, and champagne, as well as a Yoko Ono keepsake and links to Neshat’s films. Boxes start at $50 and the event starts at 6 PM.
