Artist Eric Fischl, whom critics have called perhaps the best narrative painter of his American generation, fascinated an overflow Westport Arts Center audience today with his wide range of comments on everything from suburban life to art fairs. An opening reception for the exhibit, “Eric Fischl,” curated by Helen Klisser During (r), WAC artistic director, will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The exhibit continues through Sept. 5 (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Mary Norris, a longtime copy editor at The New Yorker, tonight signs a copy of her bestselling book, “Between You and Me: Confessions of a Comma Queen” at the Westport Library for Westport writer Mary-Lou Weisman. Before an overflow crowd, Norris mused on her 30-plus years as a grammarian at the magazine in a talk with Patrick McCord, editor-in-chief of Westport-based writers’ support firm The Editing Company. Said Morris: “I can now read for pleasure and just enjoy now that I’m not editing and looking for mistakes.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Tonight’s Levitt Pavilion concert by the Stamford Symphony Brass Quintet has been moved indoors to Saugatuck School auditorium, 170 Riverside Ave., due to the weather. 

The ensemble will perform a repertoire of light classical, Broadway and Hollywood favorites.

Showtime is 8 p.m; doors open at 7 p.m.

No food or drink other than water is allowed inside.

By Susan Granger

Maya Forbes’ episodic, autobiographical family comedy, “Infinitely Polar Bear,” is based on her own confusing childhood in the late 1970s in Cambridge, Mass. Her father, Donald Cameron Forbes, was manic-depressive or bi-polar, once writing “infinitely polar bear” on a hospital admission form.

Chain-smoking Cam Stuart (Mark Ruffalo) is impulsive, unpredictable and eccentric. He adores his wife, Maggie (Zoe Saldana), and their two precocious daughters, Faith (Ashley Aufderheide) and Amelia (Imogene Wolodarsky).

While Cam comes from wealth, he’s unable to hold a job. Both Cam and his patrician parents (Keir Dullea, Beth Dixon) are dependent on bits of money doled by his grandmother, the matriarch of an old Boston blue-blood family.

So it falls to Maggie to be the bread-winner. To that end, she gets a scholarship to earn her M.B.A. at Columbia. For the 18 months she’s in New York, troubled Cam must fight to hold it all together to take care of the spirited, grade school-age girls in a cramped, cluttered apartment.

Westport author Christy Colasurdo was at the Westport Farmers’ Market today with her son, Charlie, 15, signing her new cookbook, “The Connecticut Farm Table Cookbook.” She was joined by local chefs Bill Taibe of LeFarm and The Whelk, John Barricelli of SoNo Baking Co., Bryan Malcarney of Blue Lemon, Matt Storch of Match, Frederic Kieffer of Delamar among others, who are featured in the book. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

By James Lomuscio

A rare 1931 Mickey Mouse book is among the sale items. Contributed photo

Westport Library officials today finalized plans for its first eBay auction to be included in its 23rd annual summer book sale set for Saturday, July 18 through Tuesday, July 21.

One of two books to go on eBay is a first edition of Walt Disney’s “The Adventures of Mickey Mouse.” Published in 1931, it includes a rare dust jacket, and is considered the first appearance of the cartoon character Mickey Mouse, plus Donald Duck’s first mention in print.

According to Dick Lowenstein, book sale volunteer since 1994, the rarity will have an opening bid of $2,900 on eBay, and he expects it to fetch a much higher price.

“The same title sold last fall for $5,500 at a New York auction house,” Lowenstein said.

Eric Fischl: Noted American contemporary artist. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Eric Fischl, a major American contemporary painter, will discuss his work and career at the Westport Arts Center (WAC) ArtsSpeaks event Friday at 10 a.m. in advance of the opening reception at 6 p.m. for a major exhibit of his works.

He will also be available to sign copies of his book “Bad Boy: My Life On and Off the Canvas” (2013) written with Michael Stone.

Fisch’s work is represented in many museums, as well as prestigious private and corporate collections, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art, The Whitney Museum of American Art, and The Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Curated by Helen Klisser During, WAC’s artistic director, “Eric Fischl” features 30 photographs, painting, and prints courtesy of the Hall Collection and Eric Fischl Studio.

Tonight’s Westport Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts children’s series performance by Hot Peas ‘n Butter has been moved indoors to the Saugatuck Elementary School auditorium, 170 Riverside Ave. due to the weather, organizers announced.

The show will start at 7 p.m. and doors will open early to welcome youngsters with the Melissa & Doug Hospitality tables featuring complimentary goodies as well as face-painting, an announcement said.

No food or drink other than water is allowed inside.

Hot Peas ‘N Butter blends Latin tunes, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, jazz, folk and rock for an interactive evening of multicultural music and fun for children and adults alike, the announcement said.

The mood was bright tonight despite threatening skies as the Westport Community Band entertained at the Westport Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com

Clarinetist David Gottlieb of Westport performs tonight with the Westport Community Band at the Levitt Pavilion. Guest conductor is Scott Cranston, head of the music department at New Canaan High School. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Phyllis Groner for WestportNow.com