Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea Brings a Taste of the East End to the Upper West Side

As anticipation builds for another season of Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea, a select group of music lovers, philanthropists, and performers gathered in New York City for a stylish evening that celebrated the art of cabaret and the community behind it. Held at the Triad Theatre on West 72nd Street, the second annual Friendraiser event served as both a preview and a tribute to the upcoming summer concert series, hosted at LTV Studios in East Hampton.

More than just a fundraising event, the Friendraiser reaffirmed the series’ identity: an intimate, world-class musical experience rooted in the soul of Broadway, brought to life by some of its most seasoned and celebrated voices. Guests were treated to live performances by KT Sullivan and Mark Nadler, Natalie Douglas, Marta Sanders, David Alpern, Maria Abous, Karen Murphy & Steve Ross, Moipei with Beth Ertz, Eric Comstock & Barbara Fassano, and Craig Rubano—a star-powered lineup that underscored the caliber of talent this series commands.

Co-produced by Donna Rubin and LTV’s Creative Director Josh Gladstone, the Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea has carved out its place in the Hamptons’ cultural calendar by offering Broadway and cabaret lovers a venue that’s both high-tech and deeply personal. The concerts are staged inside LTV Studios, a reimagined industrial television studio in East Hampton that trades traditional performance halls for café-style seating, modular staging, and a gleaming Baby Grand piano—an aesthetic and acoustic nod to the golden age of cabaret.

What began as a novel concept has become a sought-after musical destination, drawing both weekenders and full-time East End residents looking for an evening steeped in sophistication, artistry, and nostalgia.

The Friendraiser’s Manhattan setting was no coincidence. Positioned ahead of the summer season, the event welcomed a dynamic mix of New York society and performing arts supporters. Among the notable names in attendance were Julia Haart and philanthropist Jean Shafiroff, lending their presence to a growing circle of patrons committed to sustaining live music in the Hamptons.

Beyond its role as a fundraiser, the event offered a glimpse into the upcoming series, teasing a lineup that promises to uphold the elegance and artistry that have become the Songbook’s signature. In doing so, it also honored the performers whose interpretations of iconic standards breathe life into the genre with every note.

Set against the backdrop of East Hampton’s summer rhythm, Hamptons Summer Songbook by the Sea is poised once again to transform LTV’s studios into a sanctuary of song. With producers Rubin and Gladstone at the helm, the series continues to elevate the East End’s cultural offerings with a programming approach that blends classic sophistication with contemporary talent.

Whether it’s your first experience or an annual tradition, the Songbook invites guests to enjoy legendary music up close—in a setting that feels as though it was made just for them.