A Night of Nostalgia: Tracy Jo & Friends Pay Tribute to Creedence Clearwater Revival at Park City Music Hall on Friday, December 1 at 9pm.

Four Days of Music, Media, Creativity — and Community: The Westport Library Packs the House for VersoFest 2025 More than 3,500 filled the Library to see Patti Smith, the Wallflowers, Black Thought, Henry Rollins, Paul Shaffer, and More WESTPORT, Connecticut — In front of a Trefz Forum crowd packed wall to wall with more than 600 people, Patti Smith strode onto the stage, sat down, and graciously opened her talk with Alisyn Camerota by saying, “I’m a big, big fan of libraries, and I’m so happy to be here.” For four remarkable days, Smith had good company, with approximately 3,500 people filling The Westport Library for our fourth annual VersoFest music and media festival , a celebration of music, media, art, creativity, and once again this year, community. Smith’s Thursday evening conversation — which featured spoken-word poetry and an inspiring singalong of her hit single “Because the Night” with those assembled — was followed by a Friday night concert with Jakob Dylan and the Wallflowers that drew more than 700 attendees, a full Saturday of programming that started with a weekend kickoff celebration hosted by visionary artist 5iveFingaz, an all-star panel discussion celebrating the 50 th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run , and Verso Visionary conversations with Black Thought and Henry Rollins . Each event attracted at least 200 people, with many surpassing 400, an eclectic mix celebrating music and creativity in all its forms — all in a most unique setting: a public library with the goal of redefining what a 21 st century library can be. “We have to support our libraries,” Smith said in her closing remarks. “Our libraries are the seat of truth.” Dylan, now 30 years into his admired career, acknowledged the novelty by telling the assembled Friday night crowd: “I apologize, I’m a little nervous. This is my first [show in a] library.” The festival wrapped up Sunday with a VersoFest live podcast featuring longtime David Letterman music director Paul Shaffer and SNL Beehive Queen Chirstine Ohlman that was a blend of conversation and song, all played to another packed house. Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer summed up the excitement of the weekend during his introduction to the Springsteen panel. “Let’s hear it for libraries that rock!” Harmer said. “We are building something truly unique here, and we’re just getting started.” And in fact, VersoFest isn’t quite done yet. On Friday, April 18, the seminal post-punk band Gang of Four will be launching their farewell tour at the Library. The show starts at 7:30 pm (doors open at 6:30 pm), preceded by a book talk between Gang of Four vocalist Jon King and Talking Heads and Tom Tom Club drummer Chris Frantz on King’s new book, To Hell with Poverty! A Class Act: Inside the Gang of Four, at 1 pm.

Celebrate National Beer Day with great news— Brews on Bedford , presented by Stamford Downtown, returns Saturday, June 28 from 2–5pm in Latham Park on Bedford Street! Enjoy craft beer from 20+ breweries. Tickets are on sale now through Afton . Guests can fill a sampling glass with beer from a variety of regional breweries while enjoying live music, lawn games, and local food vendors. Participating breweries include: Barn Brew Co., Berlinetta Brewing, Best Friends Lunch, Captain Zig, Charter Oak Brewing, Devil's Purse Brewing Co, East Rock Brewing, Eli Cannons Brewing Collective, Elicit Brewery, Fishers Island Lemonade, Greenwich Brewing Company, Half Full Brewery, Hop & Vine Tap Room, Lock City, Nod Hill Brewery, Spacecat Brewing Company, Twelvenote Brew Co., Whalers with more being added soon! Advance General Admission Tickets are $40, or $50 on the day of the event (while supplies last). A limited number of VIP tickets are available for an additional $10, granting early entry at 1pm (VIP hours: 1–5pm). The entry fee includes a tasting glass, unlimited samples (while supplies last), entertainment, and more! All guests must be 21 or older. Valid ID is required for admission, including: A current motor vehicle operator’s license A state-issued identity card A valid passport or Global ID accompanied by another form of photo ID Digital IDs are not accepted. Please drink responsibly and know your limits. No pets or children under 21 will be admitted.

"Bingo, Beats & Bubbles: Your Spring Social Fix Is Here"

Get ready for a night of soul, storytelling, and smooth sips as Benny Mikula takes the stage at Sono 1420 – America’s Maritime Distillery this Friday, April 11 , from 6 PM to 8 PM . As part of the Acoustic Sono Music Series , Benny will bring his signature sound to the distillery’s intimate setting—where great music meets great bourbon. Meet Benny Mikula: The Lone Gnome Born and raised in New Haven, CT, Benny Mikula is best known as the frontman and chief songwriter for the beloved Bridgeport-based band The Alpaca Gnomes . He also shines in his solo project, performing as Benny Mikula / The Lone Gnome , where he blends folk, rock, and indie with heartfelt lyricism and raw emotion. With a degree in music and a spirit that can’t be taught, Benny’s performances are electric—whether he’s playing solo with just a guitar or backed by a full band. His inviting stage presence, soulful voice, and emotional depth have made him a standout in the New England music scene. An Acoustic Night to Remember Acoustic SONO Music Series at Sono 1420 has become a Friday night favorite, combining craft cocktails with live performances by talented singer-songwriters. This week’s performance by Benny Mikula promises a perfect pairing for your favorite bourbon and good company. So, grab your crew, come early, and settle in for a relaxing and memorable evening. Music, bourbon, and Benny Mikula—Friday nights don’t get better than this. 📍 Acoustic Sono Music Series 🎤 Featuring: Benny Mikula (The Lone Gnome) 📅 Friday, April 11 🕕 6 PM – 8 PM 📌 Sono 1420 – America’s Maritime Distillery, Norwalk, CT

Auction to run at The Westport Library during VersoFest, April 3-6, and include items signed by Richards, famed photographer Friedman, and visionary artist 5iveFingaz Proceeds to benefit VersoFest, the Library’s celebration of music, media, and creativity VersoFest annually delivers four days of music, media, and creativity, featuring a range of conversations, workshops, panel discussions, concerts, and a featured art exhibit. This year, it will also offer an opportunity to bid on a range of items signed by legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, who visited the Library on March 5 to receive the inaugural Governor’s Award of Excellence from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont. Among the items up for auction are: A signature Keith Richards guitar, signed by Richards Two signed, first-edition, first-printing copies of Life, Richards’ best-selling 2011 memoir A professionally framed print by famed photographer Michael Friedman of Richards and the Rolling Stones in concert at Madison Square Garden, signed by both Friedman and Richards An original art portrait of Richards, painted by the visionary VersoFest 2025 featured artist 5ivefingaz , signed by both Richards and 5ivefingaz The items will be on display during VersoFest, hosted April 3-6, in the Hub on the Library’s main level. Proceeds will benefit the festival. All items will be available via silent auction on the BetterWorld platform . Bidding opens today (Thursday, April 3) and closes Sunday, April 6. View the full collection and place your bids here — or scan the QR code on-site during VersoFest! *** More on the Michael Friedman print: The image was taken in 1969 at The Rolling Stones’ Madison Square Garden concert that was featured in the documentary Gimme Shelter. Friedman took Janis Joplin, who he was managing at the time, to the concert. Since they had all-access passes, Friedman was able to be right on stage when he took the photo. His photographic negatives from1969 were discovered almost 50 years later and are featured in the book EXPOSED: The Lost Negatives and Untold Stories of Michael Friedman, by Friedman and Donna Vita. More on Life: The long-awaited autobiography of the guitarist, songwriter, singer, and founding member of the Rolling Stones. With The Rolling Stones, Keith Richards created the songs that roused the world, and he lived the original rock and roll life. Now, at last, the man himself tells his story of life in the crossfire hurricane. Listening obsessively to Chuck Berry and Muddy Waters records, learning guitar and forming a band with Mick Jagger and Brian Jones. The Rolling Stones’s first fame and the notorious drug busts that led to his enduring image as an outlaw folk hero. Creating immortal riffs like the ones in “Jumping Jack Flash” and “Honky Tonk omen.” His relationship with Anita Pallenberg and the death of Brian Jones. Tax exile in France, wildfire tours of the U.S., isolation and addiction. Falling in love with Patti Hansen. Estrangement from Jagger and subsequent reconciliation. Marriage, family, solo albums and Xpensive Winos, and the road that goes on forever. With his trademark disarming honesty, Richards brings us the story of a life we have all longed to know more of, unfettered, fearless, and true. *** VersoFest Auction Thursday, April 3 – Sunday, April 6 Auction link: https://westportlibrary.betterworld.org/auctions/versofest-2025-silent-auction Story link: https://westportlibrary.org/own-a-piece-of-rock-history-autographed-keith-richards-signature-guitar-signed-michael-friedman-print-and-more-up-for-auction-at-versofest-2025-at-the-westport-library/ VersoFest 2025: https://versofest.org/ *** About VersoFest VersoFest is four days of music, media, and creativity, running this year from April 3 to April 6 — a forum for media creators, artists, and fans to converge. This year’s guests include Patti Smith, Henry Rollins, Black Thought, and Paul Shaffer, with a Friday evening concert by the Wallflowers, a family-friendly weekend kickoff event, and an all-star panel discussion on the 50 th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen’s Born to Run, plus art exhibits and workshops. In addition, VersoFest will host the kickoff event to legendary post-punk band Gang of Four’s farewell tour on April 18. Past VersoFest guests include hip hop legend Chuck D, established hit-makers Spin Doctors and the Smithereens, up-and-coming bands Sunflower Bean and the Lemon Twigs, rockers Lez Zeppelin, famed producers Steve Lillywhite (U2, Dave Matthews Band) and Tony Visconti (David Bowie, T. Rex), Psychedelic Furs frontman Richard Butler, the Doors drummer John Densmore, Cramps drummer Miriam Linna, Alice Cooper Group bassist Dennis Dunaway, hip-hop originators Tony Crush and Grand Wizzard Theodore, Manic Panic’s Tish and Snooky, and a wide array of authors, photographers, artists, and thought leaders. For more, visit VersoFest.org. About The Westport Library Founded in 1886, built in 1908, and transformed in 2019, The Westport Library is one of the most active and innovative public libraries in the nation, devoted to enriching the intellectual and creative lives of the community. Among its many highlights are a full collection of books for children, teens, and adults; an engaging and colorful Children’s Library; a MakerSpace; a Library of Things; a Seed Library; a robust café and store; and professional art installations that rotate throughout the year. The Westport Library is also home to Verso Studios, replete with an SSL hybrid analog sound studio and broadcast control suite featuring a state-of-the-art console and six robotic cameras, and the Trefz Forum, an open, flexible space that can accommodate up to 600 patrons and features an 18-foot video wall, 35-foot stage, state-of-the-art sound, and theatrical lighting. Situated in the heart of downtown Westport overlooking the scenic Saugatuck River, The Westport Library annually hosts StoryFest, the largest literary festival in Connecticut, and VersoFest, its multi-day music and media festival. Above all, the Library strives to serve the whole community as a vibrant gathering spot where people of all ages come to seek information, gain knowledge, exchange ideas, and share experiences. For more information, visit westportlibrary.org .