“Martini Madness” is the gala theme. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The Westport Arts Center (WAC) has announced the theme of “Martini Madness” for its annual fundraiser gala that will take place on Saturday, May 20 at the Fairfield County Hunt Club in Westport. Tickets will go on sale March 2.

The gala will pay tribute to “the role Westport played during the creative heyday of the 1950s and 1960s, celebrating Westport’s distinctive identity as a creative center steeped in a long history of artists, illustrators and creative executives,” an announcement said.

“Guests will be immersed in the iconic advertising created during this period, which continues to be recognized in both pop culture and contemporary art today.”

The event is co-chaired by Orly Angerthal and Erika Miller. Both are WAC board members and live in Westport.

There was a workshop and brainstorming session at the Westport Library today to redesign the 1958-born peace symbol. Miggs Burroughs, Westport artist, graphic designer, and artist-in-residence at the Library, led the effort. He showed off some of the logos he has designed over the years (the one at upper right look familiar?) Now a worldwide symbol, the peace sign was initially designed for the British nuclear disarmament movement. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

Members of the Westport Young Woman’s League (WYWL) today met with Bill Harmer director of the Westport Library, and Mary Parmelee, the library’s director of youth services, to discuss enhancements that are planned for the children’s library as part of the library’s renovation project. The library sought input from the members, many of whom have children who use the library. The WYWL sponsors the library’s children’s summer reading program and is a longtime supporter of the library. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

By Susan Granger

Back in 1983, Robert De Niro played a sociopathic wannabe celebrity in Martin Scorsese’s “The King of Comedy,” starring Jerry Lewis.  Obviously, the delusional character intrigued De Niro because in “The Comedian,” he’s a former TV sit-com star, Jackie Burke.

Aging Burke has hit hard times, unable to move beyond nostalgic references to “Eddie’s Home.” One night when an obnoxious heckler with a web-cam taunts him at a comedy club in Hicksville, Long Island, he clobbers the guy in a scuffle that winds up on YouTube.

After spending 30 days in the slammer, Jackie reports for community service at a homeless shelter, where he meets Harmony (Leslie Mann), who is also atoning for an angry outburst.

Despite their obvious age difference, they connect. He takes her to the Comedy Cellar and his lesbian niece’s wedding; she takes him to a birthday dinner for her domineering father (Harvey Keitel).

There was an afternoon of music today at a private Westport home by members of KEYS (Kids Empowered by Your Support) whose mission is to bring one-to-one instrument lessons and group music instruction to underserved children in Bridgeport, Pictured is Carolyn Smith, a KEYS student, with KEYS director Rob Silvan (r). Silvan, who founded KEYS in 2004, is a jazz musician and composer and has been a music educator for 40 years. For more information or to be involved, contact Silvan at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Brandi Briggs (r), president of the Westport Young Woman’s League (WYWL), and Adelka Polak, Westport Country Playhouse teaching artist, today read the children’s book “Twinkle Tames a Dragon” to nearly two dozen children at the Story Explorers program at the Westport Library. Free and open the public, Story Explorers is a new series which aims to promote childhood literacy while also enhancing children’s experiences of attending live theater. A live musical adaptation of “Twinkle Tames a Dragon” will be presented at the Playhouse on Sunday, Feb. 12. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Don Rebar for WestportNow.com

The Westport Cinema Initiative (WCI) today presented a screening of the 1997 film “In & Out” as part of the Westport Library’s WestportREADS “Bettyville” book selection. The book by George Hodgman explores the author’s identity as a gay man. The movie stars Kevin Kline who plays a popular teacher, who is gay, and is “outed” by a former student. After the Town Hall showing, Westport filmmaker Doug Tirola (l) discussed the film with Westport writer, author, and soccer coach Dan Woog, who described his own decision to disclose his homosexuality. While he was worried about the reaction, he said he was relieved to find that he received nothing but kind words. “I am sure things were said behind my back but most comments were of support,” Woog said. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

The Westport Arts Center tonight hosted a reception to mark the opening of its “As We Are!” exhibit. Led by artist Pamela Hovland, it is described as an art collaboration that presents perspectives on identity, stereotype and the power of words. Imran Hyder (r) was one who contributed a “I Am More Than…” postcard to the exhibit. His read: “I am more than a conservative.” He posed with Theo Silverman (l) and Julian Yu. The exhibit continues through March 11. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Leslie LaSala for WestportNow.com

Some of the “I am more than___” postcards on display tonight at the Westport Arts Center’s new exhibit, “As We Are!”  Among some of the responses to a request for submissions:  “I am more than … my grades … a housewife … my bank account … bi-polar … gay … Jewish … a twin … middle-aged … my pretty clothes … a mailman … a bald guy … an immigrant … a nun.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Leslie LaSala for WestportNow.com