Refugee
08-25-2007, 05:52 PM
Don't raid the kids' college funds, but for $3,000, you, too, can rub elbows with Brooke Shields, Howard Stern and possibly both overdressed Olsen twins at the Hamptons Social, which has become one of the hottest scenes Out East this year. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers will perform on the lawn at the Ross School in East Hampton on Saturday.
Joe Meli, the buff gent behind the event, is a 6-foot-1, 33-year-old with a dusting of dark scruff both on his chin and on the top of his head.
Wearing a loose Vikings T-shirt at his Manhattan office, the founder of Bulldog Entertainment faces two blue Motorola Krzr cell phones, a BlackBerry Curve and his computer. Like Meli, all are switched on.
"I was always a music junkie when I was growing up," said the St. Paul, Minn., native.
Meli's company provides VIP concert experiences. "The most important part of a great concert," he said, "is the real estate. With Bulldog's help, you get the first 10 rows, a private bathroom, a luxury suite, a backstage pass, and some artist interaction." At a price, Meli even books private concerts. "Hypothetically," he said, "you could have Sting play your birthday."
After Meli perfected VIP concert service at Madison Square Garden and venues in 10 cities, he came up with the $3,000-per-ticket VIP treatment concert in the Hamptons.
Meli rented "real estate" at the Ross School in East Hampton and announced a five-concert series - priced at an audacious $15,000 for all five concerts, which have featured Prince, Dave Matthews, Billy Joel, James Taylor and, this weekend, Tom Petty. The open-air venue has a towering canvas band shell.
But, miraculously, it has yet to rain on the event; this weekend, Murphy's Law would suggest a downpour Saturday.
At the Hamptons Social, the stars appear relaxed: Leonardo DiCaprio had his arm around his gal pal, Bar Refaeli, during the Prince concert; Christie Brinkley rocked to Billy Joel with their daughter Alexa Ray; Renée Zellweger hammered two fists in the air when she rushed the stage that night; and Rosanna Arquette leaned on Sir Paul McCartney's shoulder during James Taylor's rendition of "How Sweet It Is ... "
During the concerts, Out East spotted everyone from Alec Baldwin to Mischa Barton dining in a behemoth, open-fronted tent and at the outdoor tables.
Katie Lee Joel created the most successful menu to date: lobster rolls and marinated skirt steaks.
This week, "Top Chef" host and Gramercy Tavern founder Tom Colicchio wrote the menu. But Meli claims that the secret to a smooth operation is simply manpower.
"We have 800 people working for us on-site," he said. "It's basically just a little city."
Hamptons Social at the Ross School featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m.; performance begins at 8 p.m. For information, call 800-803-6644.
Send tips and comments to jeffrey.slonim@gmail.com.
HOT TICKET
THE DEAL: Dinner and private Diana Ross concert benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
THE PLACE: Giant tent at Stony Brook Southampton, 239 Montauk Hwy., 212-888-2217.
THE PRICE: $750 per person; limited sponsorships at $10,000 for table of 10 include two tickets to a private after-party with Ross.
THE MENU: Shrimp, steak, sundaes
THE DRESS: Beach chic (blazers; fancy pants or dresses for ladies).
THE COMPETITION: Hamptons magazine-sponsored Bridgehampton Mercedes-Benz Polo challenge at JetOne Jets field with Mischa Barton. Private Urban Zen initiative and Cinema Society screening at Donna Karan's house Friday, Georgina Bloomberg's screening of "3:10 to Yuma" Monday.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-a5342262aug23,0,7273303.story
Joe Meli, the buff gent behind the event, is a 6-foot-1, 33-year-old with a dusting of dark scruff both on his chin and on the top of his head.
Wearing a loose Vikings T-shirt at his Manhattan office, the founder of Bulldog Entertainment faces two blue Motorola Krzr cell phones, a BlackBerry Curve and his computer. Like Meli, all are switched on.
"I was always a music junkie when I was growing up," said the St. Paul, Minn., native.
Meli's company provides VIP concert experiences. "The most important part of a great concert," he said, "is the real estate. With Bulldog's help, you get the first 10 rows, a private bathroom, a luxury suite, a backstage pass, and some artist interaction." At a price, Meli even books private concerts. "Hypothetically," he said, "you could have Sting play your birthday."
After Meli perfected VIP concert service at Madison Square Garden and venues in 10 cities, he came up with the $3,000-per-ticket VIP treatment concert in the Hamptons.
Meli rented "real estate" at the Ross School in East Hampton and announced a five-concert series - priced at an audacious $15,000 for all five concerts, which have featured Prince, Dave Matthews, Billy Joel, James Taylor and, this weekend, Tom Petty. The open-air venue has a towering canvas band shell.
But, miraculously, it has yet to rain on the event; this weekend, Murphy's Law would suggest a downpour Saturday.
At the Hamptons Social, the stars appear relaxed: Leonardo DiCaprio had his arm around his gal pal, Bar Refaeli, during the Prince concert; Christie Brinkley rocked to Billy Joel with their daughter Alexa Ray; Renée Zellweger hammered two fists in the air when she rushed the stage that night; and Rosanna Arquette leaned on Sir Paul McCartney's shoulder during James Taylor's rendition of "How Sweet It Is ... "
During the concerts, Out East spotted everyone from Alec Baldwin to Mischa Barton dining in a behemoth, open-fronted tent and at the outdoor tables.
Katie Lee Joel created the most successful menu to date: lobster rolls and marinated skirt steaks.
This week, "Top Chef" host and Gramercy Tavern founder Tom Colicchio wrote the menu. But Meli claims that the secret to a smooth operation is simply manpower.
"We have 800 people working for us on-site," he said. "It's basically just a little city."
Hamptons Social at the Ross School featuring Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Saturday. Doors open at 6 p.m.; performance begins at 8 p.m. For information, call 800-803-6644.
Send tips and comments to jeffrey.slonim@gmail.com.
HOT TICKET
THE DEAL: Dinner and private Diana Ross concert benefiting the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
THE PLACE: Giant tent at Stony Brook Southampton, 239 Montauk Hwy., 212-888-2217.
THE PRICE: $750 per person; limited sponsorships at $10,000 for table of 10 include two tickets to a private after-party with Ross.
THE MENU: Shrimp, steak, sundaes
THE DRESS: Beach chic (blazers; fancy pants or dresses for ladies).
THE COMPETITION: Hamptons magazine-sponsored Bridgehampton Mercedes-Benz Polo challenge at JetOne Jets field with Mischa Barton. Private Urban Zen initiative and Cinema Society screening at Donna Karan's house Friday, Georgina Bloomberg's screening of "3:10 to Yuma" Monday.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/suffolk/ny-a5342262aug23,0,7273303.story