The 15th annual Malloy Lecture in the Arts tonight attracted more than 700 persons to Fairfield’s Quick Center for the Arts for a “Bernstein on Broadway” celebration of the life and Broadway musical creations by the world-renowned conductor and composer Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990). (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

This is the most popular time of year for the horror genre, which scares us by manipulating our emotions. And the best horror films are those that rely on suggestion, rather than on-screen violence.

Looking back into early Hollywood history, here are some of the best:

“The Phantom of the Opera” (1925), the highpoint of silent horror, starring Lon Chaney.

“Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” (1932), Robert Louis Stevenson’s tale, starring Fredric March.

Scenes from today’s TEA Talk “The Arts Go Viral!” at Westport Town Hall. Dave Matlow and Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

By Jarret Liotta

Teaming technology and art—and many questions surrounding it—was at the heart of today’s TEA Talk at Town Hall.

Panelists included (l-r) Randa Trivisonno, co-chair of the Westport Public Art Collections and the new Otocast app, Jerry Goehring, producer of “Be More Chill” and director of performing arts at Sacred Heart University, David Pogue, tech talk show host and columnist, and Frederic Chiu, musician and teacher . (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jarret Liotta for WestportNow.com

“The Arts Go Viral!,” a moderated discussion hosted by the Westport Arts Advisory Committee (WAAC), explored ideas relating to sometimes breath-taking advancements in science and social media.

Participants in the sixth annual TEA Talk—which stands for Thinkers, Educators & Artists—recounted ways in which artificial intelligence has usurped the creative process, while simultaneously technology has made many new opportunities possible.

“For me it’s really about connecting people,” said Frederic Chiu, Westport musician and member of WAAC.

Westport’s Barnes & Noble today hosted a standing room only crowd to hear first-time author Heather Frimmer talk about her new novel, “Bedside Manners.” Said Frimmer: “Breast cancer is very common, but almost always curable. It’s my hope that ‘Bedside Manners’ will create a better understanding of the disease while also offering a gripping and entertaining family story.” The Westonite and seasoned radiologist is married to longtime Coleytown Middle School teacher and EMT crew chief Ben Frimmer. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jaime Bairaktaris for WestportNow.com

Scenes from tonight’s Westport Historical Society Tomorrow’s History Gala at Design Within Reach, 154 Post Road East. Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

The opening reception tonight for the Saugatuck StoryFest “Wearable Book Art” exhibit attracted a large crowd to 1 Main St. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

“Wearable Book Art,” a visual component for the Saugatuck StoryFest, opened tonight at 1 Main St. in the former Calypso store. The exhibit showcases artist-made garments and accessories fashioned from books. Pictured is Westporter Elizabeth DeVoll with her creation, “Happy Times,” made from 1940s vintage children’s books. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

Westporter Sybil Steinberg, contributing editor and former book review section editor for Publishers Weekly, today addressed about 80 attendees at the Suzuki School of Music, 246 Post Road East, with her review of books for fall reading. Among her review of 25 fiction, 10 nonfiction and three short story books she said her favorite is “The Great Believers” by Rebecca Makkai.  She said it is “a beautiful and harrowing story of loving friendships during the AIDS epidemic in 1980s Chicago and survivors’ redemption in contemporary Paris.” Steinberg further described it as “a tender journey, a page turner, a gift of life.”  She also reviewed four fiction books that will be published in the coming months—“Unsheltered,” “Little,” “Bowlaway” and “A Ladder to the Sky.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com