The Westhampton Beach Project Hits the Great Lawn

On Friday and Saturday, July 28 and 29, at 8 p.m., The Westhampton Beach Project returns for its 5th annual free public event, bringing a combination of dance, music and delicious food from local Long Island Restaurants.

The night will kick off on July 28, when celebrated singer Chris Ruggiero will open the weekend. At the age of 23, Ruggiero, who performs the music of the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, has been described as an “old soul” and gained national attention when he performed on a PBS special. Since then, he has been traveling around the country delivering his distinctive brand of vintage rock ’n’ roll and sharing his passion for the classics.

The following night, July 29, The Parsons Dance Company, a contemporary American dance company internationally renowned for its energized athletic ensemble work, will take the stage. The company, founded by David Parsons and Tony Award-winning light designers Howell Binkley in 1985, brings life-affirming performances and joy to audiences worldwide and through education and outreach programs, to sustain an appreciation for dance.

Throughout the two days, guests will be able to enjoy Westhampton Beach Project’s mini food festival with local bites from over 25 restaurants and cocktails from a dozen bars. Restaurant sponsors include: Insatiable Eats, Brunetti, Rogue Kitchens, The Wine Room at the Cottage, Sobol, Whitney’s Fine Food, Centro, and Buoy One. Spirit sponsors include Westhampton Beach Brewing Company, Justin Chop Shop, Mill Road Seafood, Mary’s, Westhampton Fine Wine, William Grant and Sons, 1875 Spirit, Da’Villie Catering, Lamartodd Hospitality, Handlebar, Jewel of Russia Vodka, Lauretta’s British Ginger T, Kedem Winery, Monkey in Paradise, The Biscotti Company, Zuccia Wines, Santa Julia Wines, Fruit King/Olish Farms, Salt and Loft, and Fisht Ales/MV Marina.

The Westhampton Beach Project was conceptualized by local resident Steven Colucci, an artist and president of the Musical Mime Theater who has been working in the arts for over 46 years and worked closely with the famed French mime Marcel Marceau. Colucci has made it his personal mission to expose the younger generation to some of the art forms he has spent so many years of his life dedicated to studying.

In support of the event, guests interested in making a charitable donation of $60 and up will receive a VIP seat on the Great Lawn, hors d’oeuvres, specialty appetizers and cocktails for the event. All proceeds will go towards the Musical Mime Company Inc., a not-for-profit organization dedicated to assembling artists in all areas of creativity and collecting information on corporal movement and furthermore on art in general.

General admission to the two-day event is free at the Great Lawn on Main Street in Westhampton Beach. For more information visit whbproject.com.