Get Out: Civil War, Tango, Storytelling

• Where: Westport Country Playhouse, 51 Riverside Avenue, Westport
• When: Saturday, 8 p.m.
• Why go: The Latin-inspired evening is the Westport Arts Center's premiere 2011 fundraising event to be held at the playhouse. The gala includes a South American culinary experience, with music by Latin Grammy Award-winning musicians Pablo Ziegler and Nestor Torres, and a special tango performance. Requested attire is passionate, Viva! Red. Proceeds will benefit the playhouse’s arts programs including exhibitions, concerts, lectures, children’s classes and community outreach. For more information, contact Westport Arts Center at 203-222-7070, www.westportartscenter.org or visit the gallery.
• Price: 4 tiers: $200, $300, $500 and $750 per person. For inclusions, specially-priced tickets ($50) and after party add-ons, click here

• Where: , 88 North Avenue, Westport
• When: Sunday, 10 a.m.-noon
• Why go: Executive director of the Secular Coalition for America, Sean Faircloth, will address ways in which the government “play[s] favorites with religion, such as fundamentalism,” according to the press release, and how it affects those outside this construct. Issues including proselytizing in public schools will be discussed, with plenty of time for questions. For more information on this and two related events scheduled for the weekend, .
• Price: Free

Poet’s Voice: Katha Pollitt

• Where: (McManus Room), 20 Jesup Road, Westport
• When: Sunday, 3-4 p.m.
• Why go: American feminist poet Katha Pollitt, a recipient of the National Book Critics Circle Award for her book of poetry “Antarctic Traveller,” among other honors, is sure to inspire lovers of poetry and novices alike. Pollitt also writes "Subject to Debate," an award-winning and notably controversial column for The Nation.

• Price: Free

• Where: , 252 Post Road E., Westport
• When: Friday, 7:30-9:30 p.m.
• Why go: In keeping with April Fool’s Day, this month’s storytelling theme is “How were you fooled, tricked, upended, as an adolescent?” Bring a story to tell (up to 8 minutes) or listen to others share their tales. For more information visit www.writeyourselffree.com, call 203-557-4614 or email tishpatrick@gmail.com
• Price: $10 includes wine and cheese

• Where:, 25 Avery Place, Westport
• When: Saturday, 2-3 p.m.
• Why go: Troy Amuso of Troy Fine Art Services in Southport will discuss the evolution of frames and the effect they have on art, Amuso is an art consultant and master restoration expert. Examples of frames from the 13th through the 20th centuries will be highlighted. Light refreshments will be served.
• Price: Donations accepted

CIVIL WAR-RELATED EVENTS

• Where: , 224 Danbury Road, Wilton
• When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Why go: Ever wonder what it was like to be a soldier during the Civil War? Here’s your chance to find out, as “Wilton High School senior Mike Kaelin leads a re-enactment demonstrating a Civil War encampment with the 14th CT Regiment taking place on the society’s grounds. A lecture by fellow senior Brian Caswell takes place at 1 p.m. This Living History Day event complements the society’s new exhibit, “America’s Civil War Retrospective” open Tuesdays-Fridays 10-4, Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 (closed Easter) through May 13. For more information .
• Price: Reenactment and exhibit are free for WHS members, $5 for non-member families.

• Where: Darien Historical Society, 45 Old Kings Hwy N.
• When: Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; daily Tuesday-Friday through May 31
• Why go: The Darien Historical Society opened this exhibit in its Scofield Barn last weekend to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. Exhibit organizer Ken Reiss “chronicles the men from Darien who fought in the war through personal letters and memorabilia, as well as historic background on regiments and battles.  The second part of the exhibition offers a background on Fitch's Home for Soldiers, the first veterans' home in the country.” For details visit http://historical.darien.org, email info@darienhistorical.org or call 203-655-9233.  

• Price: Members free; suggested donation for non-members.

Ridgefield Fights the Civil War

• Where: 132 Main Street, Ridgefield
• When: Sunday, 4-6 p.m.
• Why go: Charlie Pankenier, a student of the Civil War for most of his life, will discuss what the North/South conflict meant for Ridgefield, describing “the dramatic, poignant and largely untold story of how our town fought the war, what it was like to be a Ridgefield foot soldier and the sacrifices of families on the home front,” according to Keeler’s announcement  For more information visit www.keelertavernmuseum.org or call 203-438-5485.
• Price: $15/general admission, $10/members