Westport’s Barnes & Nobel tonight hosted a Harry Potter party in advance of the midnight release of the latest J. K. Rowling work. The party began at 8 p.m., an hour before a similar affair at the Westport Library. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Despite a heavy downpour during their performance, Otis & the Hurricanes served up a mix of Delta blues, New Orleans funk, and some rock tonight at Westport’s Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

A mid-performance downpour did not stop the music tonight at the Westport Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts at Otis & the Hurricanes played their New Orleans sound.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Rain did not stop dancing to Otis & the Hurricanes tonight at Westport’s Levitt Paviilion for the Performing Arts. The rain stopped in time for some closing numbers. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

The New York Times has high praise for the current Westport Playhouse production of ‘Invisible Hand,’ calling it a “powerful and transfixing piece of theater.”

Actors (l-r) Eric Bryant, Jameal Ali and Fajer Kaisi in “Invisible Hand.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

In a review to appear in its Sunday edition and posted online tonight, the newspaper’s reviewer, Sylviane Gold, said of the play by Puliter Prize-winning author Ayad Akhtar: “It’s as intense and visceral a stretch of theater as I’ve ever seen.”

The reviewer praised the actors, director David Kennedy, Playhouse associate artistic director, set designer Adam Rigg, as well as lighting director Matthew Richards and sound director Fitz Patton.

The play continues through Aug. 6.

Entertainers Lolly & Yoyo (Larissa Hopwood and Yvonne Kusters) performed for a group of children today at the Westport Library. They are on a tour promoting their new book “MOVE!” designed to foster a love of reading and physical activity. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights headlined tonight’s Melissa and Doug Children’s Series at the Westport Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Joanie Leeds and the Nightlights had youngsters on their feet tonight in the Wednesday night Melissa and Doug Children’s Series at the Levitt Pavilion. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) J.C. Martin for WestportNow.com

Justin Hoff, one of the three standup comedy performers from the Treehouse Comedy Club, entertains a large crowd tonight at the Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. Comedy Club owner Brad Axelrod is a former resident of Westport and graduate of Staples High School. The other two comedians were Michael Petit and Tom Briscoe. It was the second appearance this summer at the Levitt for the Treehouse Comedy Club. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Treehouse Comedy Club comedians brought laughter tonight to a large audience at the Westport Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts.. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com