“Pay It Forward,” an installation of decommissioned gun parts from a Hartford gun buyback by Westport Artist Collective members Tammy Winser and Dale Najarian, greeted opening night visitors tonight to the exhibit “#UNLOAD: Guns in the Hands of Artists” at the Fairfield University Art Museum, Walsh Gallery at the Quick Center. These remnants of 68 guns, including three assault rifles and a machine gun, will be distributed to a select group of Connecticut artists who will create new art for an exhibit to be presented in partnership with ArtSpace, New Haven. Notes an explanation beside the installation: “Thus we recreate the model provided by the Guns in the Hands of Artists Foundation and pay it forward here in Connecticut.”  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) WestportNow.com photo

“Flyin’ West,” a drama of humor, suspense, and sisterhood directed by Seret Scott, previews tonight at the Westport Country Playhouse and will run through June 16.  It is set in 1898 as the Civil War is still a living memory and the all-black town of Nicodemus, Kansas, offers a refuge for many formerly enslaved people. At one homestead lives a family of courageous and sharp-witted women determined to make a place for themselves.  They overcome tremendous odds in a heroic effort to escape the scars of the past. Opening night is Saturday. Pictured are (l-r) Keona Welch, Brittany Bradford and Nikita Mathis. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

If you’ve ever wondered who Han Solo was and where he came from before joining Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and the Rebel Alliance on Tatooine, the adventurous prequel “Solo: A Star Wars Story” supplies the answers.

Since Harrison Ford cannot go back to his youth, his sassy, sardonic scoundrel role is played by Alden Ehrenreich (“Tetro,” “Hail, Caesar!”), which may or may not have been a mistake. You’ll have to judge.

Han’s story begins on his dismally oppressive home planet, Corellia, from which he and his girlfriend, Qi’ra (Emilia Clarke from “Game of Thrones”), want to escape. While fleeing, they’re separated.

Three years later, Han Solo has become a rogue pilot, working with pragmatic Tobias Beckett (Woody Harrelson) and his cohort Val (Thandie Newton), mercenaries for a crime syndicate called Crimson Dawn. They’re trying to steal an explosive energy source called Coaxium that serves as some kind of galactic currency.

Scenes from the Reveries pop-up gallery reception Thursday at 153 Post Road East. The exhibit, featuring 16 local artists, benefits Project Return and continues until Sunday, June 3. Event coordinators are Trace Burroughs and Amy Kaplan. Lynn U. Miller for WestportNow.com

The Westport Library closes at 9 p.m. today and reopens on June 4 to accommodate a significant step in its Transformation Project. During the closure, the contents of the second and third levels will be moved to the Riverwalk level which will serve as the interim library for the next 10 months, according to library staff members. Pictured is the Great Hall today with stacks of books ready to be moved. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com

By Susan Granger

Because advertising and trailers can be deceptive, part of a movie critic’s job is to steer audiences to films they may enjoy. This poignant rom-com “Book Club” is directly aimed at older adults — and the matinee audience with whom I viewed it burst into spontaneous applause at the conclusion.

In suburban Santa Monica, four lifelong friends meet regularly to sip wine, nibble canapes and discuss their lives as they relate to the chosen book they’re all reading. Years ago, they began with Erica Jong’s “Fear of Flying,” and now they’re into the purple prose of E.L. James’ “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

Capturing some of the fun of “The First Wives Club,” each woman represents a particular stage of romantic life:

Jane Fonda’s sexy, vivacious Vivien is a wealthy, workaholic hotelier who has always avoided emotional commitment — until, suddenly, old flame Arthur (Don Johnson) tracks her down.

Young designers ages 8 to 18 today showcase the styles they designed and crafted down the runway at the Ellen Gang Design Studio’s fifth annual fashion show. The Westport studio has been offering classes and camps to aspiring designers for 12 years. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Julia Gang for WestportNow.com