There was a large turnout tonight at Westport’s Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts for a pre-season concert starring Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot-“Celebrating the Music of Billy Joel.”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Tonight’s Levitt Pavilion pre-season concert featured Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot-“Celebrating the Music of Billy Joel.”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Samantha Ryan for Levitt Pavilion photo

Scenes from tonight’s second annual Staples High School pops concert at the Westport Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. The sellout event featured Staples musicians and performers as well as the Westport police color guard. Award-wnning actor James Naughton was master of ceremonies. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

There was a “Second Story Moonlight” fundraiser tonight hosted by Friends of the Westport Public Art Collection (WESPAC) at Rive Bistro, 299 Riverside Ave. The event showcased WESPAC-owned art in town schools and public buildings, including works by Warhol, Matisse, Cezanne, Miro and others. in addition, there was a silent auction featuring works created by local artists Ann Chernow, Larry Silver, Leonard Everett Fisher, Hardie Gramatky, and Miggs Burroughs. Lynn U. Miller and Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Mason returns to Westport’s Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts on Friday, July 14 as part of his new “Alone Together Again” limited engagement U.S. tour. The event is a fundraiser for the Levitt that will help to underwrite the more than 50 free music and performances at this summer. It will be Mason’s fourth appearance at the Levitt, the last occurring in 2013 (above). Mason is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist who first found fame with the rock band Traffic. On Saturday, the Levitt will present Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot: “Celebrating the Music of Billy Joel.” The 44th season officially opens on Sunday, June 25. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport’s Justin Paul and fellow songwriter Benj Pasek said in authoring their Broadway hit “Dear Evan Hansen” they took great care in writing about teen suicide.

Justin Paul (l) with writing partner Benj Pasek at the Oscars in February. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo from ABC-TV

“We wanted to make sure the subject was treated thoughtfully and sensitively,” Paul told Variety, the show business publication.

“There was vetting of the script and of the story with mental health professionals, to make sure what we were telling felt truthful and honest, and like we weren’t trying to sugarcoat things, but that also wasn’t trying to provoke anything.”

Paul disclosed there was a small change made in the show as it moved from off-Broadway to Broadway.

The Westport Historical Society (WHS) presents its annual Hidden Garden Tour on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This garden at Westport’s Old Mill was one of the gardens on last year’s tour. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Guests will visit six gardens in Westport, Southport and Easton.

“Each garden has been carefully selected for our 26th annual Hidden Garden Tour,” said Event Co-Chair Terri Keppel. 

One of the gardens was a favorite of a past tour and is being showcased again by popular demand to see how it has evolved, she said.