The Fairfield County Photographers Collective debuts its first annual exhibition, “A Passion for Photography”  today at Rockwell Art & Framing, 235 Main Ave., Norwalk. The opening reception is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Among the photographers are a number of Westporters and WestportNow contributors: Doreen Birdsell, Kim Cooper, Emily Hamilton Laux, Betsey Lebow, and Suzanne Sheridan. The exhibit runs through Sept. 29. A portion of the proceeds from sales of the group’s artwork will benefit Project Return in Westport, a therapeutic group residence for adolescent girls. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

It was a relaxed, sell-out crowd for the Dave Mason benefit concert at the Levitt Pavilion tonight. But that was before the drummer broke a drum on the first number, causing a 15-minute delay, and then a fierce thunderstorm, accompanied by lightning and heavy rains, sent the crowd scurrying. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jonathan Thrope for WestportNow.com

As tonight’s Levitt Pavilion special benefit performance by the Dave Mason Band got underway, the crowd was in an upbeat mood. But that changed as storm clouds moved in and torrential rains, lightning and thunder forced a premature end to the performance. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Adrian Dixon for WestportNow.com

The Westport Country Playhouse Thursday night held a “TalkBack at the Playhouse” in which artists and audiences have an opportunity to discuss the current play, “The Member of the Wedding.” Pictured (l-r) are: Joanne Woodward, director; Liz Morton, Frankie; Jack Metzger, John Henry; LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Berenice; Edward O’Blenis, Honey. “The Member of the Wedding” runs through Sunday. . (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed Photo

Sam Goody’s, long a mainstay at Westport’s Compo Acres Shopping Center, 370 Post Road East at the corner of Compo Road South, is no more. The music retailer abruptly shut its doors with a sign on the door telling customers: “Store closed forever!!!! Please visit us at our nearest location at Stamford Town Center. Sorry for any inconvenience.” Gill Consolini, vice president of retail leasing at Westport’s Heyman Properties, the landlord, said upon lease expiration, Sam Goody decided to close the store because of “company consolidation.” He said the almost 3,600-sq. ft space is being marketed for rent and there is “tremendous” interest in it. A spokeswoman for Musicland Inc., operator of Sam Goody’s, said stores are closed when they become unprofitable. The picture was shot through a window and shows several signs saying “Back to School Must Haves.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Jonathan Thrope for WestportNow.com

Tickets are still available for Friday night’s return performance of the Dave Mason Band at Westport’s Levitt Pavilion.

According to Levitt Pavilion Executive Director Freda Welsh, tickets are selling fast for the special performance to benefit the Pavilion’s Education and Outreach Programs.

Unlike last Friday’s Beach Boys concert, only lawn seating is available for this concert, with all tickets priced at $25.

Dave Mason, a 2004 inductee into the Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame, was a founding member of the renowned rock group Traffic.

Staples Summer Theatre will present “Aida,” a musical written by Elton John, for two weekends beginning Friday at Bedford Middle School.

The musical is being directed by Al Pia, who ran Staples Players for 28 years before retiring in 1996.

According to the play’s producer, Matthew Deedon, “Aida” is based upon an old opera in which a Nubian princess is enslaved and then falls in love with the son of her captor.

The show will be presented this Friday and Saturday, Aug. 12 and 13, as well as the following Friday and Saturday, Aug. 19, and 20 at 8 p.m. in the Bedford Middle School Auditorium. Tickets are only available at the door. For more information, call (203)341-1310.