Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center Announces August Events

The heat wave may be over, but it's still sizzlin' hot at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center. If you thought July was on fire, wait until you see what August is cooking up! From classic country to bayou blues, superhuman dancers to tall toe-tappers, uproarious comedians to family friendly fun, the WHBPAC invites everyone to experience the magic of live performance!

Second generation show-biz royalty, Natalie Cole, performs on Saturday, August 3 at 8:30pm. Experience this nine-time Grammy Award-winning singer, actress, and author's inimitable take on the Great American Songbook. Backed by a 12-piece band, she'll perform her greatest hits with soul-shaking flavor. She released her memoir, LOVE BROUGHT ME BACK, in 2010. Now, she reflects on her life and career through the songs that are near and dear to her heart.

TICKETS: $145 - $185

Caretaker of the blues, Buddy Guy, brings his blistering vocals and high-voltage guitar playing to the PAC on Sunday, August 4 at 8:30pm. A living link to Chicago's halcyon days of electric blues and a Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, he's won 5 Grammys, 23 W.C. Handy Awards (the most ever), the Presidential National Medal of Arts, and is ranked in the top 30 of Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time. His new album, LIVING PROOF, is hard evidence that this legend shows no sign of slowing down!

TICKETS: $75 - $125

On Saturday, August 10 at 8:30pm, the PAC, in partnership with The Mabel Mercer Foundation, presents "It's Delightful, It's De-Lovely" - An Evening Celebrating Cole Porter. This fabulous tribute to the ultra-sophisticated master of popular song will recognize timeless melodies like SO IN LOVE, NIGHT AND DAY, I LOVE PARIS, ANYTHING GOES and more. Featuring Karen Akers, Anna Bergman, Jeff Harnar, Sally Mayes, T. Oliver Reid and Steve Ross, backed by a magnificent trio, this evening guarantees to be delectably delicious!

TICKETS: $70 - $90

Vince Gill is a country music God who sets hearts on fire with his charismatic, angelic persona. A Country Music Hall of Fame superstar, he's the most Grammy-awarded male artist in country music and co-hosted the CMA awards for a record-setting 12 years. A soulful singer, a dexterous songwriter, a renowned guitar player, he'll have you tapping your feet, bobbing your head, and mouthing the words to every song. He'll make his appearance at the PAC on Sunday, August 11 at 8:30pm.

TICKETS: $100 - $185

Memphis masterpiece, John Hiatt and The Combo, perform on Saturday, August 17 at 8:30pm. He sings the blues in a whiskey-burn howl, plays guitar like a man on fire, and writes cunning lyrics with twisting, entertaining storylines! Take a journey into a world of love, heartbreak, hope and rebirth with brand new music from his latest album, MYSTIC PINBALL. Delivering angry blues, soft country and good time rock n roll, he'll perform alongside his combo - Kenny Blevins on drums, Patrick O'Hearn on bass and Doug Lancio on guitars.

TICKETS: $60 - $100

On Sunday, August 18 at 8:30pm, Huey Lewis & The News celebrates the 30th anniversary of their blockbuster album, SPORTS. This Grammy-winning band is on a commemorative tour, performing the album in its entirety, plus many other hits and surprises. The iconic 1983 album ranked No. 2 on Billboard's year-end sales chart, second only to Michael Jackson's Thriller. Now, this chart-topping, pop/rock group will take you back to THE HEART OF ROCK & ROLL with their powerful horn section and hook-laden hits.

TICKETS: $125 - $225

The Queen of clever one-liners, Rita Rudner, performs on Thursday, August 27 at 8:30pm. With her trademark sweet-as-pie voice and sparkling ball gown, this award-winning actress and NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author is not to be missed. Her candid delivery and stream-of-consciousness-style observations on everyday life are relatable to every audience member. Laugh out loud at life with this pretty, petite brunette's clean and classy comedy.

TICKETS: $80 - $100

On Saturday, August 24 at 8:30pm, experience the lusty contortionists of Pilobolus dance theatre. Modern dance has never been so magical and entertaining! Using the human body as a medium for expression, these superhuman artist/athletes draw influence from vaudeville and acrobatics to create an ever-expanding body of work that's FUN for all ages! In keeping with its biological namesake - a sun-loving fungus - this award-winning company continues to grow towards the light.

TICKETS: $65 - $95

Comedian Lewis Black brings his "The Rant Is Due" Tour to the PAC on Sunday, August 25 at 8:30pm. His live performances provide a cathartic release of anger and disillusionment for the audience. But this Grammy Award-winning comedian, actor, and author is a more of an aggressive optimist than a mean-spirited curmudgeon. He's the rare comic who causes audiences to laugh themselves silly while making compelling points about the absurdity of our world. Join us as the well-read, well-written and well-educated Black teeters on The Edge of sanity.

This performance is SOLD OUT.

California folk singer Brett Dennen performs on Thursday, August 29 at 8:30pm. His songs have that folky, feel-good sound that makes you want to do a joyful dance! Coming off a top ten hit with COMEBACK KID, it looks to be a banner year for Dennen who recently signed to F Stop/Atlantic Records and is currently recording his fifth studio album. With songs you may recognize from contemporary TV shows like SCRUBS, GREY'S ANATOMY, PARENTHOOD, and HOUSE among others, Dennen continues to cement himself as one of his generation's strongest songwriters.

TICKETS: $25

Timeless balladeer, Michael Bolton, performs on Friday, August 30 at 8:30pm. Spend an evening with the multi-Grammy award-winning, iconic voice on over 53 million records sold, with timeless hits like WHEN A MAN LOVES A WOMAN, HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU, TIME LOVE AND TENDERNESS, HOW CAN WE BE LOVERS, GEORGIA ON MY MIND, and many more!

TICKETS: $110 - $150

Then, legendary dance man Tommy Tune brings his show "Taps, Tunes and Tall Tales" to the PAC on Saturday, August 31 at 8:30pm. Broadway's legendary song and dance man hits the stage showcasing highlights from his nine-time TONY AWARD winning career and celebrating 50 years on the Great White Way. He sings, dances, and laughs his way through the glorious musical moments that made him a legend. He'll be backed by the multi-talented MANHATTAN RHYTHM KINGS, so get ready for a unique and masterful evening that's nothing short of spectacular!

TICKETS: $35 - $75

The season closes out with to fun-filled performances of Fancy Nancy: The Musical on Sunday, September 1 at 3pm and 6pm. Based on the bestselling children's book series by Jane O'Connor, FANCY NANCY and her friends are going to perform in their very first show. Nancy is positive (that's fancy for 100% sure) that she will be picked to be the mermaid. When another girl wins the coveted role, Nancy is stuck playing a dreary, dull tree. Can Nancy bring fancy flair to her role, even though it isn't the one she wanted? Find out as FANCY NANCY fills the theatre with laughter, catchy songs and life lessons.

TICKETS: $15 - $25

Don't forget about this summer's expanded new "Rose & Don Ciampa Finest in World Cinema" Series. Andrew Botsford of Quogue, visiting professor and communications consultant for the graduate arts program at Stony Brook Southampton and co-host of the annual Hamptons Take 2 Documentary Film Festival, will introduce our summer films each Monday night and discuss the films afterwards with guest commentators, followed by an informal audience discussion. An actor with the Hampton Theatre Company in Quogue since 1985, Andrew has written extensively about film and theater and was for 20 years the associate editor of The Southampton Press and editor of its Arts & Living section.

Screening the best current release art house, foreign, independent and documentary films that run concurrently at the most prominent film houses in New York City, this year's expanded new "Rose & Don Ciampa Finest in World Cinema" series promises to be the best series ever! Tickets to all films are $15 for adults, $9 for students/seniors, and $5 for WHBPAC Film Society members.

This August, the PAC will screen director Morgan Neville's compelling new film 20 Feet From Stardom on Monday, August 5 - 7 at 8:00pm. Millions know their voices, but no one knows their names. Award-winning director Morgan Neville shines a spotlight on the untold true story of the backup singers behind some of the greatest musical legends of the 21st century. Triumphant and heartbreaking in equal measure, the film is both a tribute to the unsung voices who brought shape and style to popular music and a reflection on the conflicts, sacrifices and rewards of a career spent harmonizing with others. 20 Feet From Stardom is in English, rated PG13 and is 1 hour & 31 minutes.

Up next is director Joss Wheden's contemporary spin on Shakespeare's classic comedy Much Ado About Nothing on Monday August 12 - 15 at 8:00pm. Shot in just 12 days (and using the original text), sparring lovers Beatrice and Benedick offer a dark, sexy and occasionally absurd view of the intricate game that is love. A series of comic and tragic events may continue to keep the couple from truly finding happiness, but then again perhaps love may prevail. Much Ado About Nothing is in English, rated PG13 and is 1 hour & 49 minutes.

Then, director Jem Cohen's art history drama Museum Hours will be screened on Monday, August 19 - 21 at 8:00pm. During a Vienna winter, Johann, a guard at the grand Kunsthistorisches Art Museum, encounters Anne, a foreign visitor. Never having been to Austria and with little money, she wanders the city in limbo, taking the museum as her refuge. Johann is initially wary, but offers her help, and they're drawn into each other's worlds. Their meetings spark an unexpected series of explorations - of their own lives, the life of the city, and of the way works of art can reflect and shape daily experience. Museum Hours is in German & English, Not Rated, and 1 hour & 47 minutes.

August closes out with director Michael McGowan's romantic drama Still Mine on Monday, August 26 - 28 at 8:00pm. Still Mine is an exquisitely crafted and deeply affecting love story about Craig and Irene, a devoted couple in their twilight years. Using the methods taught to him by his father Craig sets out to build a more suitable house for his ailing wife but is blindsided by local building codes and bureaucratic officials. Hauled into court and facing jail, Craig takes a final stance against all odds in a truly inspirational story. Starring Academy Awards Nominees James Cromwell and Genevieve Bujold. Still Mine is in English, rated PG13, and 1 hour & 42 minutes.

Purchase Tickets 3 Ways:

On-Line: www.whbpac.org
Call Box Office: 631-288-1500

Visit: 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978

(Seven Days a Week, Noon - 8pm and later on show nights.)

SUPPORT WHBPAC: Learn about the creative ways to contribute http://www.whbpac.org/pages/ways.php