East Northport and Huntington Station Residents Produce ‘Dinner at the Guggenheims’

A one-of-a-kind theater experience with dancing to a live orchestra, musical performance and dinner at Hempstead House at Sands Point Preserve.

Friends of the Sands Point Preserve’s historic Hempstead House will be the setting of an elegant dinner theater experience that will explore the festive spirit of the Guggenheims, whose reputation of lavish entertainment at their Gold Coast estate is well-known.

At “Dinner at the Guggenheims” on March 21 at 7 p.m., theater-goers get to time-travel back to the speakeasy era of the 1920s, all the way to the 1940s. Produced by Joanne Fried of Huntington Station and Helene Tiger of East Northport, this one-of-a-kind evening features a live orchestra in the Palm Court and show as well as a served gourmet dinner with open bar, catered by Philip Stone, including dessert with the performers.

“It is always a pleasure to open up Hempstead House, where the Guggenheims welcomed captains of industry and world leaders at their many parties,” said Jean-Marie Posner, executive director of Friends of Sands Point Preserve.

Festive attire is encouraged, and the hoofers and flappers in the audience will have ample opportunity to interact with members of the Guggenheim family.  It’s a special dinner party and guests will have a choice of dining in the dining room, billiard room or library and enjoy the company of Meyer Guggenheim, the patriarch of the family, and his wife Barbara.  You’ll learn about the Guggenheim legacy through Daniel and Florence, along with several of the family members who will be your hosts for the evening.

The evening’s entertainment is produced by Tiger/Fried Productions, theater veterans that created the sold-out performances of last year’s popular “Broadway Showstoppers” and who will perform again at Sands Point Preserve this summer.

“‘Dinner at The Guggenheims’ promises to be a very unique event,” Helene Tiger noted.

“Aside from enjoying a sumptuous dinner and fabulous entertainment, theater-goers will also discover the fascinating dynamics that took place right here in Nassau County in the home of perhaps the region’s most accomplished and philanthropic families, who influenced business, aviation, the arts and more,” said Joanne Fried.

In addition to the live music and performances, the event consists of hors d’oeuvres in the Palm Court, open bar, choice of private dining room, after dinner dancing and dessert.

Guests will have the chance to soak in the ambiance of many of the rooms inside Hempstead House with a plated dinner served in one of three private settings. They can also view the entertainment in the Winter Living Room and dance the night away in the Palm Court.

Tickets for “Dinner Party at the Guggenheims” are $110 per person (all-inclusive price) and may be purchased at www.TheSandsPointPreserve.com, by phone at (516) 571-7904, and at the Gate House, which is open daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 127 Middle Neck Road in Sands Point. The Preserve’s 2015 Annual Pass is now available, with benefits – including free admission to the park and to fitness and family programs, as well as special discounts to cultural arts events – beginning immediately.

Friends of the Sands Point Preserve is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to protect and preserve the 216-acre waterfront grounds and historic mansions and to provide a range of cultural arts events and educational programs for families and schools in the Phil Dejana Learning Center and Outdoor Classroom.

Photo above right:  The Hempstead House.

Photo above left: Helene Tiger of East Northport and Joanne Fried of Huntington Station.