Presented this year by The Corey Foundation, East End Arts hosts its third Annual Summer Soiree fundraiser for the arts, a tented event on the grounds of the East End Arts’ campus in downtown Riverhead on Saturday, August 3, from 6 to 9 PM. The communities of artists, art lovers, and arts supporters are invited to connect and enjoy Long Island wine and cocktails, bites from local purveyors, raffles, auctions, and live entertainment while overlooking the Peconic River landscape.
The 2024 Summer Soiree is the first event under the direction of the new Executive Director of East End Arts, Wendy Weiss, who previously held the role of Creative Director within the organization.
“Although I am a familiar face at EEA, this sort of complex change of leadership is a big deal. The support shown by this year’s Summer Soiree sponsors is both exciting and humbling,” said Weiss, “I look forward to celebrating with everyone at my favorite EEA event of the year!”
A compilation of EEA’s youngest bands consisting of musicians aged 13-16 begin the live entertainment, which based on their debut at the EEA Honors event at The Suffolk in April promises to be a real treat for guests. This year, guests also get the chance to applaud the 2024 $10,000 Linda Rie Cohen Rising Star awardee Anika Griffing, honored through an endowment that recognizes a local young rising star with talents in art, music, dance, and innovation by one of EEA’s long time donors. Anika performs for the crowd with both solo tracks and with the accompaniment of her EEA student band, Groovy Tuesday. The duo Pop Royale is also performing, and Summer Soiree goers end the evening with an encore performance by the Town of Southampton’s 2024 Battle of the Band winners, EEA student band Daydream. Artwork by Anika Griffing, cyanotypes by EEA Member Andrea Cote, and a mural by the EEA camp program students are on display.
New for 2024, a colorful lounge area sponsored by Vintage Glampers LLC sets the stage for Instagrammable photos and reels. Silent auction items include exclusive artwork, a staycation at local hotels, a behind-the-scenes experience at Long Island Aquarium, a private party by Dryve, Long Island’s first mobile golf simulator, and goods from local makers, bakers, artisans, and cultural institutions. Each guest may create their own take-home floral arrangement and end the evening with sweet treats from East End dessert shops.
Sponsorships and individual tickets are available in limited quantities and can be purchased online.