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 .