27Speaks

The Hampton Theatre Company has launched a new initiative to open each of its next three seasons with a female-led production. Called the Jane Stanton Celebrating Women in Theatre Project, the initiative is funded by a recent anonymous grant from a private charitable foundation and the goal is to spotlight plays written and directed by women.

This week, the editors are joined by HTC president Rosemary Cline, vice president George Loizides and general manager Terry Brennan who discuss the details of the project as well as the first play to be produced by it — Larissa FastHorse’s “The Thanksgiving Play” which runs through November 2 at the Quogue Community Hall.

The first in a new series titled "Local Matters" focused on Southampton Village with an Express Sessions event at Union Burger Bar on October 9. Top of mind for area residents and panelists in attendance were traffic, affordable housing and the continued push to develop a sewer district in Southampton Village.

In a few weeks, the Suffolk County Department of Public Works will institute changes in traffic patterns on County Road 39 between North Sea Road and Magee Street in Southampton to test a pared-down version of an experiment run by the county and Southampton Town last spring. Local officials said the plan, as envisioned by Charles McArdle, Southampton Town superintendent of highways, brought marked improvement in travel times for afternoon commuters and eased bypass traffic on residential back roads.

This week, the editors are joined by senior reporter Michael Wright and McArdle to talk about how the new plan will work and some of the Southampton road challenges that remain.

Every summer morning, a dedicated group of open-water swimmers — each over the age of 60 — gathers at West Landing in Hampton Bays to swim the calm waters of Peconic Bay. But this ritual is about much more than fitness. Over the years, these daily swims have become a source of deep friendship, connection and joy.

This week on the podcast, the editors are joined by filmmaker Doug Gallo and his mother Chris, one of the swimmers featured in his short documentary “West Landing,” which is screening at this year’s Hamptons International Film Festival. Together, Doug and Chris share how the film came to life — and reflect on the tight-knit community that’s formed in the bay, one swim at a time.

The annual Hamptons International Film Festival returns this week for its 33rd iteration, and from October 3 to 13, will present screenings at theaters in East Hampton, Sag Harbor and Southampton.

This week, the editors are joined by David Nugent, Chief Creative Officer of HamptonsFilm, HIFF’s parent organization, who shares some insight into the business of putting on a film festival. He also offers a sneak peak at a few of the 146 films that will be screened in the days ahead.

This week, the editors are joined by Southampton Village Mayor Bill Manger who addresses some of the most pressing concerns in the village. Traffic, of course, is at the top of the list, but also on the table is workforce housing, a potential sewer system and rehabilitation of the arboretum grounds at Southampton Arts Center as well as the World War I monument in Agawam Park. Also discussed was some fun stuff coming up, including Southampton Fest and the Hamptons International Film Festival, which in October will offer screenings at the newly renovated Southampton Playhouse.

The Suffolk County Legislature recently voted to establish a mechanism for preserving working waterfronts from development. The law will allow the county to acquire conservation easements on properties housing businesses like commercial fisheries and marinas. Montauk is a likely candidate for some of these funds, and this week, the editors are joined by Inlet Seafood’s general manager Amanda Jones and Long Island Commercial Fishing Association Executive Director Bonnie Brady who talk about how the new law could help Montauk fishermen and businesses.

Similarly, they also touch on the Lake Montauk Inlet dredging project, which will move forward this fall due to a decision by East Hampton Town to allocate $1.1 million for the project from a South Fork Wind fund.

This week, the editors are joined by East Hampton reporter Jack Motz and Kurt Gottwald, a Hither Hills State Park lifeguard who, last year, converted his decades-old onsite trailer at the campground into a makeshift music studio.

His latest project is a six-track indie rock album called “Montauk New York.” On it, Gottwald weaves tales of local stories into larger musings about capitalism, consumerism and online culture. As his lifeguard job in Montauk winds down for the season and he prepares to travel overseas to spend the coming months in Prague, Gottwald shared his inspiration and unique philosophy on life, music making, nature and the changing face of the East End.

2024 NY-01 congressional candidate John Avlon, a former CNN anchor and current host of the podcast "How To Fix It," joins the editors on the podcast to discuss redistricting, gerrymandering and the state of democracy.

It’s been a hot, dry summer, and in late July the Suffolk County Water Authority issued a Stage 1 Water Alert urging its customers to immediately reduce water consumption. The editors are joined this week by senior reporter Michael Wright, who has a story in the paper naming the South Fork’s biggest “Water Hogs,” and Daniel Dubois, SCWA’s director of communications and external affairs, who explains how summer demand impacts water supply and shares steps that residents can take to help alleviate the situation.