Westhampton Beach Project Returns to the Great Lawn

​A weekend of music, dance and artistic conversation returns to the Great Lawn in Westhampton Beach on Friday and Saturday, July 28 and July 29.

Called the Westhampton Beach Project, the annual event aims to expose younger generations to modern dance, ballet, opera and other classical art forms.

“What we are really trying to do is to really promote culture,” commented Steve Colucci, the president and founder of the Westhampton Beach Project. “This was created to support the arts and to teach young people about dance and art.”

This year’s event features singer Chris Ruggiero and his 6-piece band of live horns performing in Westhampton Beach on Friday, July 28, at 8 p.m. Colucci noted that Ruggiero is an entertainer who can truly sing, without the help of technology.

“It is a lot of music,” Ruggiero explained of the show. “We like to call it vintage rock and roll. It is music of the ’50s,’ 60s and ’70s, but a lot of it is reimagined and they are really unique arrangements in a way that the audience has probably never heard before.”

Ruggiero added that he is grateful for the opportunity to have Charlie Colello arranging his music. Colello’s career has consisted of arranging songs for stars like Barbra Streisand as well as an entire album for Frank Sinatra, Ruggiero said. He added that he feels honored to be working with him.

Ruggiero is excited to show Westhampton Beach residents these uniquely arranged songs that he has been practicing. He said that he is particularly excited to come to the Hamptons due to his personal connection with this area.

“Growing up, I spent my summers out in Montauk, so I feel like the Hamptons are my second home,” Ruggiero said. “I am very excited because it feels like I am coming home, and there will be lots of family and friends in the audience.”

Ruggiero has both experience and talent in the musical performance industry as someone who has played in cities like Las Vegas and Atlantic City. However, Ruggiero also has a love for playing music in smaller towns like Westhampton Beach where people seem to appreciate the music and work that has gone into creating the set of songs.

“I love the small towns because it seems like everyone really appreciates the music and it’s more of a family feel,” Ruggiero said. “I am all about family and the audience becomes a part of my family.”

His manager noted that what Ruggiero does is not financially motivated, but instead is about connecting with people through music. At just age 23, Ruggiero has already embarked on a career path based on a passion for music and the way that it brings together groups of people.

“I never knew it was possible to be a singer without a number one hit single,” Ruggiero said. “Now, I am following my dream as a singer.”

The Westhampton Beach Project does not end with Ruggiero, as members of New York City-based Parsons Dance company will take the stage on Saturday, July 29, at 8 p.m.

Colucci explained that the process behind discovering the right companies to perform as part of the Westhampton Beach Project is complex, as they need to provide performances that are exciting, but also well-rehearsed.

He said he believes in the importance of the younger generation being exposed to groups like Parsons Dance, who are talented, practiced and knowledgeable in the art of dance. Parsons Dance has been around for 30 years and, according to Colucci, are coming to Westhampton Beach after finishing their tour of the entire country of Italy. Colucci added that the members of Parsons Dance truly understand the grammar and vocabulary of movement.

“Parsons Dance can dance anywhere,” Colucci said. “People can come early in the day, sit on the great lawn and watch these dancers rehearse.”

Colucci chose Westhampton Beach as the location for this annual performance weekend because of his personal connection to the town. He said that he lives in Westhampton Beach full time, and has fostered a healthy relationship with the local officials to make this project a reality.

“Without the support of the government of Westhampton Beach, there would be no Westhampton Beach Project,” Colucci said.

The mayor and the board of trustees for the Village of Westhampton Beach are included in the conversation with Colucci and his board of directors about the decision for what artist or group they want to bring to the event. Colucci said that the town members are very hands on, and that it is the generosity and contributions from donors that allow this project to return to the Great Lawn each summer.

“This event brings a certain kind of spirit to Westhampton Beach,” Colucci said. “We have people that come from all over the United States for this.”

General admission to the Westhampton Beach Project shows is free. However, VIP tickets are available with a $60 donation which include VIP tent entry at 6 p.m. on July 29 for cocktails and appetizers. To learn more about the event or to donate to the Westhampton Beach Project, go to whbproject.com.