=======================================================
ArtSmart — the joint program between the Westport PTA Council and Westport Library that brings arts education and creative arts programming into elementary schools — held a kickoff event yesterday at the Westport Library.
Attendees (who do not need art or teaching experience) learned how they can help. A workshop for new volunteers follows on October 13. For more information, email co-chair Danielle Dobin: danielle@apifeni.com.
The youngest attendee watches Danielle Dobin explain the ArtSmart program.
=====================================================
A few tickets remain for Earthplace’s major fundraiser.
The “Woodside Bash” includes a harvest dinner under the stars, open bar, mechanical bull and music by the party band Pimpinella. It’s this Saturday (October 2, 7 to 10 p.m.). Click here for tickets. Proceeds help fund Earthplace’s many environmental education programs, their museum and trails and more.
The fun continues the next day (Sunday, October 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.), with a Family Festival. Activities include a climbing wall, apple slingshot, donuts on a string, pumpkin bowling, hayride, corn pool, food trucks and more. $10 for adults; $5 for children. Kids under 2 go free!
=====================================================
Sure, you can go to the Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
But you can cut your schlep considerably, with a trip to the Westport Library’s Short Cuts Film Festival.
The 11th annual event will be screened live on the spectacular HD screen in the Trefz Forum — and online too — on 3 Thursdays: October 14, November 4 and November 18.
Tribeca selects 90 short films, from over 3,000 submissions. The Short Cuts Festival chooses 15 of those — “the best of the best.”
This year’s lineup includes 2 narrative/animated programs, and a first-ever documentary evening. Talkbacks with directors are scheduled too. For complete information on all films, including tickets, click here.
“The Kicksled Choir” — a Norwegian film — won the Best Narrative prize at the Tribeca Film Festival.
=======================================================
Quidley & Co. — the great art gallery nestled between National Hall and Bartaco — combines with The Cottage for an “Art + Table Autumn” event on October 21 (5 to 6 p.m.).
The “convivial evening of art, lifestyle and cuisine” includes a collection of works by international artists for home or office, and “savory autumn tastes” from the Brian Lewis’ famed restaurant.
Quidley and Company
=======================================================
You may have seen Robin Wolfe Scheffler running around town.
The son-in-law of longtime Westporters Steven Parton and Melody James loves training, whenever he’s here. Sometimes he pauses in mid-run to take photos, like this dramatic shot of the Staples High School track:
(Photo/Robin Wolfe-Scheffler)
It will all pay off at the 125th Boston Marathon October 11. He’s using the fabled event a a fundraiser for the National Braille Press’ children’s literacy program.
“Reading with my young son has been one of the best parts of being a parent. But that same experience costs 3 times more for families with blind or visually-impaired members,” he says. Click here to support Robin.
=======================================================
Westport Country Playhouse’s Script in Hand play reading is always popular.
The next one — of “Mrs. Mannerly,” a comedy about a young boy and his manners teacher — will reach a wider audience than usual. It will be filmed — with a live audience — on Monday, October 11 (7 p.m.). The performance will be available for on-demand streaming from October 13-17.
“Mrs. Mannerly” will feature Playhouse favorites Mark Shanahan and Anne Keefe in the roles of student and teacher.
In-person tickets are $20. Tickets for on-demand streaming are $20 per individual, $40 for 2, $80 household. Each purchase entitles the buyer to an individual link. Click here, To purchase tickets click here, call 203-227-4177, or email boxoffice@westportplayhouse.org.
Mark Shanahan and Anne Keefe.
==================================================
Today’s “Westport … Naturally” photo comes courtesy of Julie Blume. Her husband took this picture of a baby opossum Monday night. She reports that he — the animal, not her husband –“was in our backyard, hopefully eating lots of ticks.”
(Photo/Greg Guido)
======================================================
And finally … happy birthday to Jerry Lee Lewis. The wild rock and rockabilly pianist as survived several wild episodes — marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, an arrest at Graceland for allegedly attempting to shoot Elvis Presley, and IRS woes — and turns 86 today.
I guess the suitcases turned up?! (Inquiring minds are curious.) 😉
Yep.