By Annette Hinkle
With Labor Day behind us, summer on the East End is coming to an end. The crowds have left and now it’s time for the rest of us to have some fun.
Over on Shelter Island, Joe Lauro is gearing up for his 25th annual Beach Blast at Wade’s Beach this Saturday from 3 p.m. until midnight. There will be an array of acts, musical and otherwise, and if you ask any local, you’ll realize this is the party of the post season. It’s been known to draw close to 3,000 spectators and among the bands will be The Lone Sharks, The Buzzards and Lauro’s Who Dat Loungers. Also expect acts for the kids says Lauro who notes the event is for all.
“We’ve got it down now,” says Lauro. “We have a big stage and electric go-go cages. In the day, kids go in and dance. At night, the bands get a little wilder and it’s more of an adult event with professional go-go girls.”
And to think, it all began as a humble end of summer gathering of some of Lauro’s closest friends.
“Karen, who’s now my wife, and I were renting a small cottage on Smith Street,” recalls Lauro. So many people came and we had so much fun, we did it the next year at the same small cottage.”
But the following year, Lauro didn’t rent the cottage, so the blast was moved to a friend’s house.
“He wanted to kill me — so many people came,” says Lauro.
Over the years the bash grew and took up residence at a series of locations, but was given the boot each time. Then came the Shelter Island noise ordinance.
“I thought how the hell can I keep it going without winding up in the poke?” recalls Lauro.
So he aligned himself with a charity and turned it into a fundraiser. From the baymen’s association to Shelter Island’s 350th anniversary, Lauro has given the proceeds to good causes.
“But we had to stop giving beer away,” he concedes. “Now it’s a BYO event.”
The blast found a permanent home at Wade’s Beach, which has parking and room for boaters to drop anchor and come ashore.
“We’ve been there forever,” says Lauro. “Our charity is the Gift of Life Foundation. I actually joined this one because it’s amazing. We scout for people who are terminally ill and in trouble. Either they don’t have insurance, or need someone to take them to the hospital for treatment or they can’t pay rent. We put money right in their hands.”
So how’s Lauro’s relationship with Shelter Island these days?
“The town loves my events,” he says. “They know my intentions are really good. I’m just looking to enrich the community and help people have big fun without getting hurt.”
Admission to the Beach Blast is $10. Food, including roast pig, will be sold. People can also bring their own. For details, go to www.sibeachblast.com.
Starting their own end of season musical tradition this year are Sag Harbor’s Ray Red, Jim Turner and David Osiecki, organizers of The Hampton's Endless Summer Jam, a three day event this weekend at East Hampton Studios in Wainscott. On the bill are 15 local musical acts, including Joe Lauro’s band, which plays Sunday. Also featured will be Jim Turner and his band, as well as Ray Red’s band.
“It’s more specific than a music festival,” adds Turner. “It will have rock, reggae, soul, funk — but it’s all dance music.”
“A few weeks ago we got together and decided it would be nice to have a celebration of all local talent — something for kids, families, teenagers,” says Osiecki. “We all love music and all love to dance. And Ray and Jim have been playing for decades.”
Red explains that over the years, local laws have become stricter about amplified music and finding venues isn’t as easy as it once was.
“I used to play in Sag Harbor a bit, but now there are restrictions here,” says Red. “In East Hampton, there’s no where to play live. You can play in Montauk, Hampton Bays and Westhampton a bit. But it’s less and less.”
That certainly won’t be the case this weekend with the jam offering three days of non-stop music and entertainment.
“The real focus is to celebrate the local musicians,” says Osiecki. “These are talented artists and we should give them a forum. We’re also focusing on nine local charities that need help.”
The jam will offer a band every hour and besides music by Prentiss McNeil (formerly of The Drifters), Alfredo & Europa, The Realm and others, the alcohol free event will also offer ping pong tables, activities, videos and even a former Moscow Circus performer.
“September is the best month in the Hamptons,” says Osiecki. “The light is wonderful, the water is warm. There’s a collective sigh of relief when September comes. This is a wonderful way to start the celebration.”
The Hampton's Endless Summer Jam is Friday 4 to 11 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday noon to 11 p.m. Admission is $20 for all day entry. Among the recipient charities are Phoenix House and The Retreat. Weekend and V.I.P. passes are available. Visit www.hamptonsendlesssummerjam.com for details.
Top: Gene Casey and The Lone Sharks who will play at the Shelter Island Beach Blast on September 11, 2010.
