New Orleans Visits The Hamptons For An Evening With Soledad O'Brien, Pharrell Williams And Russell Simmons

by Dena Silver · August 1, 2012

    Located at a lovely beachside estate in Bridgehampton, this was the second annual New Orleans in the Hamptons event, thrown by the philanthropic couple Soledad O'Brien and Brad Raymond. With event chairpersons of the evening featuring Steve and Marjorie Harvey, L.A. Reid and Lisa Stone, there were many more celebs in attendance, including Pharell Williams, Alina Cho and Russell Simmons, whose own fundraiser was the following evening.

    [Pharrell Williams, Soledad O'Brien, Alina Cho]

    Go HERE to see more photos by Steph Jensen and tag yourself and your friends!

    [Russell Simmons]

    The evening, which was sponsored by Target, stayed true to its theme with table centerpieces that were inspired New Orleans-style lampposts. The drink of the evening was the Treme Twist, a concoction of Belvedere vodka, pineapple juice, OJ and grenadine, served up in a mason jar and adorned with a Target bulls eye stamp. The food and entertainment focused around the theme as well, with New Orleans Jazz Orchestra, featuring Irvin Mayfield, who put on a mini concert for attendees.

    The Soledad O'Brien + Brad Raymond foundation was created as a response to the heart wrenching effects of Hurricane Katrina, hence the name of the Hamptons fundraiser. The foundation works to allow young women access to education, experiences and resources to overcome life's barriers, allowing them the chance to achieve educational success they otherwise would not have been able to.