With temperatures on the chilly side despite the sunshine, many headed to the Westport Library today for work and pleasure. With the upper level closed as part of the transformation project, all activity was on the lower level overlooking the Saugatuck River. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Juilliard School trained pianist Matthew Graybil entertained today at a free concert at the Center for Senior Activities, 21 Imperial Ave. A native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Graybil began his piano studies at age 6 and presented his first recital the following year. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree at Juilliard in 2009 and a Masters in 2011. Today’s program was sponsored by Friends of the Center for Senior Actvities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The Westport Library said today it will host a keynote video chat with Mohsin Hamid, author of Westport’s 2019 community read, “Exit West.”

The event will take place on Tuesday, March 12, at 7 p.m. at Saugatuck Elementary School, 170 Riverside Ave.

Short-listed for the Man Booker prize, The National Book Critics Circle Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, “Exit West” follows two refugees who, against all odds, find life and love on the run.

“The novel will hopefully make people feel things, and when we feel things, we change,” said Hamid. “Perhaps I am drawn to the idea that everyone is a migrant, and that we need to have more compassion for the migrant within each of us.”

Westport Public Art Collections (WestPAC) curator Kathie Bennewitz today addressed Westport Rotary Club members and guests on the town’s wide ranging and highly valued collection of 1,500 art pieces, two-thirds of which are on permanent display at town-owned facilities. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

The three short-film categories often stump those who are fascinated by the Academy Awards: Live Action, Documentary and Animated. Now you can view these mini-contenders for the price of one feature-length film.

The Live Action are usually the most dramatic. Vincent Lambe’s “Detainment” recreates a harrowing ‘90s murder involving two 10-year-old Irish boys who were tried as adults for killing a toddler. Two different boys are featured in Jeremy Comte’s “Fauve” as they struggle in the Canadian wilderness.

From Canada, Marianne Farley’s “Marguerite” focuses on an ailing elderly woman and her caregiver. Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s Spanish psychological thriller “Madre” records a frantic phone call between a mother and her lost son as a stranger approaches him. And Guy Nattiv’s “Skin” is about race, hate crimes and how violence is passed down to children.

The Documentary nominees include Marshall Curry’s timely “A Night at the Garden,” as history seems to be repeating itself. Rayka Zehtabchi’s “Period: End of Sentence” chronicles how young women in India become empowered to make and sell sanitary products.

A large crowd today attended an entertainment program led by producer, singer, actor Terry Eldh, a former Westport resident, at the Center for Senior Activities. Featuring Broadway songs and classic arias, Eldh was joined by Frank Mastrone. Eldh said the duo performed together in the Broadway production of “Phantom of the Opera.”  Eldh was accompanied on several selections by cellist Jennifer Burkhalter and pianist Heather Hamilton. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

There was a packed crowd today at the Westport Center for Senior Activities for a performance by producer, singer, actor Terry Eldh. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Milford student Ava Lynn Vercellone stars in the title role of “Annie,” which will be performed tonight, Saturday, and Sunday this week and next at the Westport Country Playhouse by Broadway actors and 45 members of Fairfield’s Broadway Method Academy (BMA).  Reprising the role of Sandy from the 2012 Broadway production is Sunny, courtesy of William Berloni Theatrical Animals, Inc. For tickets, visit www.westportplayhouse.org, or call or visit the Westport Country Playhouse box office at 203-227-4177. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

The real Westporter Justin Paul is teaming up with the fiction Westporters in the ABC-TV sitcom “American Housewife,” ABC announced.

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

It said the season finale of the comedy series on May 21 will include four original songs by Paul, whose works include “The Greatest Showman” and “Dear Evan Hansen.”

Oscar, Tony, and Golden Globes winner Paul was born in Missouri and raised in Westport where he attended Long Lots Elementary School, Coleytown Middle School and Staples.

ABC said the season finale plot has star Katy Mixon, frustrated by the lack of appreciation for all she does, deciding to go “full-Westport” and leaving her family to fend for themselves.