More than 30 families participated today in the Westport Arts Center’s “Family Art Day: Art of Kindness,” creating projects based on giving and kindness. Families also had the opportunity to bring gifts or make donations to Al’s Angels. The event was held in conjunction with the Center’s current exhibition, “MORE Than Words/#iammore,” a juried community show based on the themes of courage, empowerment and resilience in the face of bullying, on view through Jan. 7. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Xenia Gross for WestportNow.com

CNN anchor Alisyn Camerota, a Westport resident, will be guest speaker at the meeting of the Y’s Women on Monday, Nov. 28 at Temple Israel, 14 Coleytown Road. 

Alisyn Camerota: Westport mom. Contributed photo

She will share her experience in covering the 2016 election, an announcement said.  The meeting will begin at 10:45 a.m. with coffee and conversation, followed by the program at 11:30 a.m. 

As CNN anchor and co-host with Chris Cuomo on CNN’s morning show “New Day,” Camerota has covered breaking news stories, both internationally and domestically and interviewed Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, as well as many other politicians and personalities.

Before joining CNN in 2014, she was at Fox News Channel for 16 years. A graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., she lives in Westport with her husband, Tim, and their twin daughters and son.

Scenes today from the Westport Historical Society’s Holiday Market, which continues Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. WestportNow.com photos

The Westport Woman’s Club tonight hosted a screening of “No Letting Go,” an award-winning feature film based on the real-life experiences of its co-writer/producer Randi Silverman (above), who has a child suffering from mental illness. After the showing she engaged in a question and answer session with audience members. Silverman hopes the film will call attention to the issue of mental health literacy, and particularly the presentation of mental illness in young children. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

By Susan Granger

When Harry Potter studied at Hogwarts, one of his textbooks was “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” by Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne). So Newt’s story is an imaginative prequel.

Newt, a British Magizoologist, travels to New York City in 1926, arriving on Ellis Island with a bottomless satchel of supernatural creatures, several of which escape, thrusting nerdy Newt into the company of Jacob Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a gullible, good-natured No-Maj (American for Muggles).

They’re spotted by Tina Goldstein (Katherine Waterson), an astute ex-Auror who’s eager to regain her Investigator post. Members of the Magical Congress of the United States (MACUSA) are strictly segregated and secretive, hidden within a skyscraper (the Woolworth Bldg.).

Its immense Magical Exposure Threat Level Barometer is color-coded at Orange for “severe unexplained activity” because sinister, manipulative Dark Wizard Gellert Grindlewald is on the loose. Pressure is heightened by fanatical witch hunters, Second Salemers, led by bigoted Mary Lou Barebone (Samantha Morton). 

For the first time, tickets will be available online beginning Thursday for the three performances next month of the 76th annual Candlelight Concert by the musicians of Staples High School.

A scene from last year’s Candlelight Concert. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Lynn U.Miller for WestportNow.com

An announcement said free tickets, with a limit of eight per person, will be available online here.

A limited number of tickets can also be requested by mail until Dec. 9 at Candlelight Tickets, Staples High School, 70 North Ave., Westport, CT 06880. Please include a self-addressed stamped envelope.

The performances are Friday, Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Actors paused today during a rehearsal for tonight’s Westport Country Playhouse Script In Hand reading of “Social Security” by Andrew Bergman, one of Hollywood’s top comedy screenwriters. There are still a few tickets available, according to the Playhouse. The reading will be directed by Anne Keefe, Playhouse associate artist and curator of the playreading series. Pictured: (seated on floor) Martha Stout; (seated in chairs) Deirdre Madigan, Lynn Cohen, Ronald Cohen and Lizbeth Mackay; (standing) Stephen Schnetzer, Annie Keefe, and David Beach. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Scenes from today’s Westport Country Playhouse kickoff party for its Family Festivities Series, which begins on Sunday, Nov. 20. The six-show series will feature musical productions based on classic and new children’s stories. The opening show will be “The Mixed-Up Fairy Tale,” a musical produced by TheatreWorks USA. The Playhouse’s community partners for the event, including the Westport Young Woman’s League, Westport Library, Read to Grow, and Barnes & Noble, hosted a variety of activities for kids such as story book readings and live music by the Suzuki School of Music. Food was available, including free samples from Qdoba and Shake Shack.Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Voices Café at the Unitarian Church in Westport presented its monthly show tonight with Rob Carlson and Benefit Street. Beth Bradley on vocals and guitar, Sam Carlson on drums and Marshal Rosenberg on percussion rounded out the six musician group. Leader Rob Carlson held the crowd with his exceptional voice and rhythmic guitar playing interspersed with entertaining story songs. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jane Sherman for WestportNow.com