The Connecticut-based Galvanized Jazz Band, first established in 1971, entertained a large crowd today at the Westport Center for Senior Activities. The band performed New Orleans Jazz, Dixieland, blues, ragtime, swing, spirituals and more. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Westport’s Indian community tonight celebrated Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, at Christ & Holy Trinity Church. The event drew about 170 persons and included cultural performances by local children’s groups, live music with a DJ, dancing, and dinner. Diwali is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year and gets its name from the row of clay lamps that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. Emcees for the cultural events were Staples High School students Vrinda Kareddy, a junior, and Eshita Kumar, sophomore. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Scenes from today’s opening day of the 41st annual CraftWestport show at Staples High School sponsored by the Young Woman’s League of Westport. The event features more than 175 fine contemporary artists and craftspeople from the region and across the country in what has become Connecticut’s largest indoor fine crafts festival. It continues Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. WestportNow.com photos

ABC has ordered additional episodes of “American Housewife,” the Tuesday night sitcom set in Westport, Variety reported tonight.

“American Housewife” star Katy Mixon and Kenny Schwartz, an executive producer of the show and a 1985 Staples High School graduate. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Kelsey McNeal/ABC photo

ABC Studios and Aaron Kaplan’s Kapital Entertainment received an order for an additional nine episodes, bringing its season to a full 22, the show business publication said.

The half-hour comedy staring Katy Mixon, originally called “The Second Fattest Housewife in Westport,” debuted Oct. 4.

Kenny Schwartz, a 1985 Staples High School graduate, is an executive producer. Mixon’s co-star, Diedrich Bader, who plays her husband, is married to actress Dulcy Rogers, a 1982 Staples High School graduate.

The Westport Arts Center (WAC) tonight was transformed into a one-night-only Jazz Lounge with a performance by Atla & Matt DeChamplain. The former high school sweethearts performed songs of the Great American songbook including works by Harold Arlen, Irving Berlin, Sammy Cahn, George and Ira Gershwin, and Jules Styne. Pictured are Atla DeChamplain, vocals, Ben Billelo, drums, Brian Torff,  bass, and Matt DeChamplain on keyboard. The next WAC Jazz concert will feature The Saxtet Under the Direction of Darren Litzie, performing a tribute to Benny Goodman and Stan Getz on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 6:30 p.m. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Aubrey Grodin for WestportNow.com

Staples High School this weekend hosts the 41st annual Westport Young Woman’s League’s (WYWL) CraftWestport show.

Some items on display at an earlier CraftWestport show. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The event features more than 175 fine contemporary artists and craftspeople from the region and across the country in what has become Connecticut’s largest indoor fine crafts festival.

Visitors will be able to meet visionary artists and purchase their latest work as well as help to raise money for local charities, an announcement said.

The show includes one-of-a-kind and limited edition jewelry, fashion and accessories, furniture, and home décor pieces as well as functional and sculptural work in ceramics, glass, metal, painting, photography, wood and mixed media, organizers said.

Staples Players marches into its 57th season beginning next weekend with Meredith Wilson’s, “The Music Man.” The production features a cast of 73 actors, including eight local elementary and middle school students. Evening performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 11, Saturday, Nov. 12, Friday, Nov. 18, and Saturday, Nov. 19. Matinee performances are at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13 and Saturday, Nov.19.  Tickets may be purchased online at www.StaplesPlayers.com. Pictured are Charlie Zuckerman, a junior, and Jacob Leaf, a senior. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Photo by Kerry Long