An Immersive Day of Art, Dance, and Music
Saturday, June 6, 2026
12pm
The Summer Party is an afternoon‑long celebration of artistic expression. This year, SAINT HERON will curate two performances. Malcolm J. Merriweather + Voices of Harlem and Artina McCain will perform an excerpt from Saint Heron’s ‘Glory to Glory’ showcasing the works of Mary Lou Williams, and Kyle Abraham will choreograph an accompanying dance performance. Gio Escobar from Standing On The Corner will DJ the event, providing melodic grooves and nostalgic sounds throughout the afternoon.
Design Activation by Knoll: Sensory Experience, Materiality and Form
A highlight of this year’s event is the design activation presented by Knoll. For one day only, the interior of the Glass House will be thoughtfully reimagined through a site-specific installation featuring a new collection by artist and designer Dozie Kanu alongside contemporary versions of the original modernist furnishings from the Knoll collection.
As part of this experience, select historic pieces ordinarily on view in the Glass House will be temporarily removed and carefully replaced with pieces that will invite sitting, gathering, and a more tactile engagement with the space. This approach offers a unique opportunity to encounter the Glass House not solely as an icon of architectural history, but as a living environment designed for conversation, comfort, and exchange.
Importantly, this installation has been developed with deep respect for the site’s architectural significance. The original floor plan and spatial relationships will remain intact, allowing guests to encounter one of Philip Johnson’s central ideas about experiencing the site —bringing the architecture to life and allowing guests to sit on a Mies van der Rohe chair or daybed and experience the Glass House and surrounding landscape as originally intended. All this while still preserving the building’s integrity and continuing the site’s longstanding role as a place where contemporary artists, designers, and ideas converge.
Max Mara, as the exclusive fashion sponsor, will present an Italian Summer Café set within a grassy enclave on the grounds. The immersive moment of understated luxury will feature a custom Piaggio cart serving a full menu of classic Italian espresso drinks and a curated selection of artisanal gelato.
Guests can personalize their coffee experience with simple Italian touches by turning gelato into affogatos with freshly pulled espresso, or by elevating the moment with Baileys or prosecco for a spirited twist. The branded café extends into a shaded seating area with tables, chairs, and signature umbrellas. Designed for relaxing and savoring the moment, the Max Mara Italian Summer Café brings together style, setting, and the essence of la dolce vita.
Guests will arrive in complimentary Land Rover Darien vehicles, featuring the sleek Range Rover Sport. Thoughtfully crafted picnic baskets by New Canaan’s Elm, inspired by the flavors of early summer, will be provided, paired with crisp Elm Côte de Provence Rosé, refreshing craft spirits by Litchfield Distillery, and hydration by Loonen, creating the perfect setting to relax, indulge, and savor the moment.
In the Auction Tent, the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund will present a Bar + Lounge experience inspired by its ongoing work to preserve sites of African American activism, achievement, and resilience. Guests may unwind in plush lounge seating provided by Design Within Reach and sip on a signature cocktail created in honor of the Action Fund’s preservation initiatives, enjoying an inviting setting to gather, relax, and savor the moment.
