Joanne Woodward, artistic director of the Westport Country Playhouse and director of “The Member of the Wedding” opening Thursday,  wrapped rehearsals today for the play.  She was the first to use the new rehearsal space on the campus of the Playhouse—the space which had formerly been the scene shop.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

Today’s Sunday New York Times Connecticut section features a story about Hilla Rebay, an early champion of modern art who lived in Westport for almost 30 years and helped Solomon R. Guggenheim build his art collection and museum.

Rebay’s life and work is featured in an exhibit at the New York museum which runs through Aug. 10. Earlier this year, the Westport Historical Society also had an exhibition of Rebay’s art and an account of her life in Westport. (See WestportNow March 20, 2005)

Three local actors will make their professional theatrical debuts in the Westport Country Playhouse production of “The Member of the Wedding” opening Thursday. They are (l-r) Emma Wiseman of Weston, Samantha Kindler of Westport, and Brett Aresco of Westport.  The production is directed by Joanne Woodward, Playhouse artistic director.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

A. E. Hotchner: Westporter recalls days with Hemingway. File photoNewspapers around the country today are featuring an Associated Press story about Westport’s A.E. Hotchner and his relationship with Ernest Hemingway.

More than 40 years since Hemingway took his own life, Hotchner has forgotten nothing about his old friend and father figure: his books and the sound of his voice, the way he would put his hand over his mouth when he laughed, the AP said.

Feminists, animal rights advocates and others have taken on Hemingway, but for Hotchner, the author remains the ideal as both man and writer, someone who burned the fat off American prose and made a religion out of experience and adventure, the report said.

“He’s the bellwether,” the 85-year-old Hotchner told the AP. “He’s the bar that’s too high to jump, but nevertheless you know that somebody once jumped it. His lust for life, his embracing of so many layers of living was just incredible.”

The Levitt Pavilion was packed tonight for a performance by the “DNR” band made up of area physicians. The evening was one of 50 free nights of summer entertainment at the Westport locale. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

Westport’s Jesup Green will be the site of a Japanese “Bon Odori” folk dance festival Saturday.
Taiko Masala: Japanese drums highlight Bon Odori. Contributed photo

The Japan Society of Fairfield County is sponsoring the event, which features Taiko drum performances, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Japanese food will be available at the Matsu Sushi Japanese restaurant on Jesup Green. Or guests may bring picnic lunches along with chairs or blankets to sit on. The event is free and open to the public. Free parking is nearby.

Taiko Masala, a group of Japanese Taiko drummers from throughout the tri-state area led by Hiro Kurashima, will give two performances at the festival.

Westport physicians Robert Altbaum (r, keyboard) and Fred Kaplan (rear, drums) are part of the “DNR” band made up area doctors who perform tonight at the Levitt Pavilion. WestportNow.com file photo

Zachary Kampler, 22, of Westport, will lead the Eastern Festival Symphony Orchestra in a July 30 performance at the Norwalk Concert Hall. The orchestra, made up of local high school and college students, including several from Westport, will perform the children’s favorite “Peter and the Wolf” narrated by Westport First Selectwoman Diane Farrell. Also on the program are Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto” and “Overture to Egmont” by Beethoven. This is the third consecutive year that Kampler, a 2001 Staples grad, has led the orchestra. The 8 p.m. concert will benefit the Hudson Valley Cerebral Palsy Association. Tickets are $20 for adults, $10 for students and senior citizens, and free for children 12 and under. For further information call (203) 454-2556.  Jonathan Thrope for WestportNow.com

Workers today restored Rocky, the sheet-metal rooster mascot of the Westport Country Playhouse, to his place atop the newly renovated Playhouse building. He received a makeover at Westport Auto Craft, thanks to Bob Martin. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Contributed photo

It was a fun night for the entire family at Westport’s Levitt Pavilion tonight as Kevin O’Keefe performed his Circus Minimus one-man-in-a-suitcase show.  From his suitcase emerged an entire circus—tent, band, lights, a boisterous ringmaster a magician, and a juggler, among others.  Jonathan Thrope for WestportNow.com