Graham Nash tickets are all gone — sorry. But Rufus Wainwright says it feels like coming home. And Mark Normand bragged to his Instagram followers he had so much “fun” he couldn’t wait to come back. Where? Canoe Place Inn and Cottages in Hampton Bays. General Manager Matthew Kristan is happy but not surprised that a venue famous for the arts is drawing this kind of crowd. “There really is something for everyone from comedy to classic rock and reggae,” he said. “The feedback was so positive right after we announced the summer series,” he added.
That’s an understatement. They’ve added new shows and continue to do so. It’s thanks in part to a ballroom steeped in history, newly fitted with state-of-the-art lighting and equipment. “Artists are excited to play in a room where the acoustics are great,” said Brian Kelly. His New York City-based Murmrr Presents books the acts. He’s also brought other big names out for charitable events like the benefit for the Montauk Point Lighthouse. “The ballroom has been professionally ‘tuned’ and it sounds amazing. It’s a ‘Lamborghini off the lot’ in terms of sound systems. There’s no other place out here that has anything like it.”
That’s music to the ears of acts like Aimee Mann, Steel Pulse, the Gipsy Kings, Buena Vista Orchestra, and comedians like Modi, Grace O’Malley, David Cross, and the returning Mark Normand. He’s got 1.3 million followers and, as of this writing, is close to selling out, too. Some of the acts, like Nash, are even becoming coveted aftermarket tickets, commanding premiums on sites like StubHub.
Canoe Place and Murmrr are doing something right. “The community response has been terrific, and everyone is excited,” said Kristan. “Last year, with Jeff Goldblum and Mark Normand among others, we knew we were on to something. We look forward to seeing everyone this summer.”
For Rufus Wainwright, it’s just stopping in to see a new friend in the neighborhood. “I live on Long Island, up in Montauk, plus I grew up on Shelter Island,” he tells me, before a funny follow-up. “My family is buried in East Hampton. It feels like coming home. Not to be buried, thankfully.”
Kelly has worked in the Hamptons, New York, and Miami for over 10 years and says the Hamptons are ready for “high-end music and comedy.” He brought comedian John Mulaney to Montauk last year for the Lighthouse benefit. This year, he’s got Norah Jones and Kevin Hart dropping by. Kelly is connected. Hey, maybe they’ll drop by Canoe Place on their way to the more Eastern End. Eventually, everyone does, it seems. From Albert Einstein to Gary Cooper, Count Basie, and even Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.
All of that helps add to the allure of a place that was once rundown and now rescued. Canoe Place had a lavish renovation and reopened two years ago. And if you’re coming here for a gig, you’ll know they spent money in the right places. Kelly tells artists the space is “an anomaly with a history all the way back to 1697, so the legacy is built in.” He also says great partners like Union Square in the kitchen help make it a great night out. “You’re seeing world-class artists in a space bigger than your living room, but still very intimate.”
Back to the rundown. Comedian Modi tours the world. He’s packed the Montreal Just for Laughs Festival and been to the UK, Holland, and, of course, all over the country. Even with all those passport stamps, he’s excited to play Hampton Bays. “I love performing for Long Island crowds. They’re always full of energy, and the Hamptons audiences are always ready for a good time, especially in the summer.” His first show sold out so quickly that Canoe Place added a matinee at 4 PM. “I’m incredibly grateful the first show sold out so quickly. I can’t wait to be back and share this new hour of material I’ve been working on.”
The mix of such diverse programming seems “eons apart from a sensibility standpoint,” Kelly said. “But the main thread is high-quality artists with cultural value that create meaningful memories, so you walk away having had a great experience.” Some of this is new for the performers. “David Cross from ‘Arrested Development’ and ‘Mr. Show’ has never been out in the Hamptons before,” Kelly revealed. “Mary Beth Barone has a new show on Netflix, and she’s a rocket ship on the way up. Hasn’t been here. Grace O’Malley is great, and she’s never been out here either. So it’s exciting to bring new people to the Hamptons.”
In the end, Kelly said, for everyone who walks into that ballroom, whether they saw acts there in the ’40s or the ’90s, there’s a vibe. “You can kind of hear the walls talking when you go in there. It’s part of the charm and the appeal.”
This summer, those sounds will be bouncing off those walls. Get your tickets while you can. They’re going fast.
For current ticket availability, visit canoeplace.com.