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Each summer, The Westhampton Beach Project presents two evenings of entertainment on the Great Lawn in the heart of the village. By combining contemporary dance, fine art and classical and modern music, The Westhampton Beach Project creates a show like no other on the East End — it’s also offered free of charge to the public.
Local residents and seasonal visitors will have an opportunity to enjoy two nights of high-quality performances at this year’s edition of The Westhampton Beach Project, which will be held on the Great Lawn on Friday, July 26, and Saturday, July 27, at 8 p.m. both nights.
The project was founded by Steven Colucci, an artist and classically trained dancer in ballet and mime who runs Colucci’s Musical Mime Theatre, which is the main charity that sponsors the project. Colucci has deep ties to the community, as he spent part of his early career performing at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center and other local venues.
The goal of the project, according to Colucci is “to bring culture to this region at no cost to the general public” and to get people to “appreciate cutting-edge dance and music” that they wouldn’t have the opportunity to experience anywhere else on the East End.
“I don’t think many people get the opportunity to be a part of the theater world,” he explained in a recent interview. “They only see what’s fed to them on television and as they walk through the streets, only the privileged and educated get to actually sit in the theater. And it’s time that every citizen has the right to know and to see great art.”
Colucci said that the cost of going to see shows at theaters is a barrier that prevents many from experiencing the performing arts, something that particularly applies to families.
“I don’t think a family with three children could afford to go to the Metropolitan Opera or to New York City Ballet,” he said. “That would cost probably every bit of $1,200 to go there and see a show. But here, they drive up to the Great Lawn and it’s free.”
This year’s show will kick off with a blend of live music and dance in a performance that has been specifically put together for The Westhampton Beach Project. Colucci said this is the first time this has happened in the show’s history.
Friday night will feature Steven Maglio and his orchestra accompanied by dancing from East Coast Contemporary Ballet and the Jon Lehrer Dance Company. Maglio, a New York City-based singer known for his renditions of Frank Sinatra songs, will be performing selections from his “Not Just Sinatra” show which he performs in New York City. The show includes the music of Sinatra, Dean Martin and Elvis Presley, among others.
For Maglio, this performance will be unlike the shows his group usually performs, as they’ll be on a stage that’s larger than usual and will have dancers performing alongside them “sprucing us up with classical entertainment.”
“It’s something new for me and the band because we’ve never worked with dancers before,” explained Maglio. “When we do a show, we usually do a nightclub show, like a Las Vegas show. The stage that we usually have is just enough to hold the orchestra and myself, but not enough to be able to bring dancers in. So this is going to be a whole new thing for us and we’re excited for it.”
As for the dance companies, the show marks a rare chance for them to perform with a live band.
“As a touring dance company, we rarely get to perform with live music,” said Jon Lehrer, the founder and artistic director of the Jon Lehrer Dance Company. “Getting to do this with a live singer doing Sinatra songs is going to be great.”
For the second night of the show on Saturday, both dance groups will take the stage to perform material from their repertoires that showcases the talent of their dancers for the audience.
“We pick four of our works that I feel are really energizing and equal parts artistic and entertaining for the audience,” said Lehrer. “For a festival-style show like this, the entertainment factor has got to be just as much as the artistry.”
Lehrer explained that his group is known for having “a very high level of athleticism” in their performances that adds to the entertainment value of their dancing.
“We’re a very physical and modern dance company,” Lehrer explained. “Our thing is that [our work is] equal parts artistry, athleticism and entertainment. And I think the audience will really get a sense of that with the four works that we chose.”
Among those pieces is one called “Bridge and Tunnel,” which is Lehrer’s tribute to growing up in Queens and is set to the music of Paul Simon. The piece is another example of how the performances at this year’s show combine sophisticated dance with popular music in a unique blend of artistry and fun.
For the dancers, the project is also one of the few times that they have an opportunity to perform on the East End, making it special for them, as well as the audience.
Additionally, an art gallery will showcase the work of five different artists that Colucci selected to add an element of fine art to the weekend.
While the performances are free, attendees have the opportunity to donate to The Westhampton Beach Project to get VIP access in return. For $25, audience members get access to exclusive seating close to the stage. For $60, attendees get exclusive seating as well as access to a VIP tent with all-you-can-eat appetizers and cocktails from 14 local bars and 15 local restaurants.
Colucci said that The Westhampton Beach Project has received “tremendous support” from local businesses over the years and he also thanked Westhampton Beach Mayor Ralph Urban for his support. Colucci added that while the project gets a good local turnout, people from New York City and other states have also come out to Westhampton Beach to enjoy the shows.
“The important thing about The Westhampton Beach Project is that it’s attracting people from Connecticut, New Jersey, New York City and other states, who come here and spend a weekend with us,” Colucci said.
To learn more about or to donate to The Westhampton Beach Project, visit whbprojectbycolucci.com.
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