WESTPORT — Chuck D, the hip-hop pioneer instrumental in making that musical genre the cultural force it is today, headlined the first night of VersoFest 2024 on Wednesday at the Westport Library.

The co-founder of Public Enemy, a group that framed social and political messages in music like “Fight the Power,” appeared at the kickoff of the third-annual VersoFest to discuss his four-decade career in music, political activism, film and television, and writing, including his recently published, “STEWdio: The Naphic Grovel ARTrilogy of Chuck.” 

He appeared before a full house in conversation with Johnny Temple of Akashic Books, which published the trilogy.

VersoFest 2024 continues through Sunday featuring a range of musical performances, lectures and panel discussions with a range of talents and creators.

Following is the schedule of remaining events: 

Thursday, April 4

6:30-10 p.m., The Lemon Twigs in Concert, with DJ Hysterica; Doors open with  DJ at 6:30; The Lemon Twigs take the stage at 8. Click here for tickets.

Friday, April 5

6:30-10 p.m., Spin Doctors in Concert, with Nick Depuy; Doors open at 6:30, Depuy performs at 7 and Spin Doctors take the stage at 8. Click here for tickets.

Saturday, April 6

11 a.m.-5 p.m., VersoFest Record Fair.

11 a.m.-5 p.m., “Diamond Dogs” at 50: David Bowie Exhibit by Paul Brenton with set designer Mark Ravitz

11 a.m.-noon, Workshop: Pitch Your Podcast with Connecticut Public’s Meg Dalton and Jack Hitt.

1-2:30 p.m., Tony Visconti in Conversation with Paul Cavalconte. Click here to register.

3-4:30 p.m., Verso Book Club: Audrey Golden, author of “I Thought I Heard You Speak: Women at Factory Records;” moderated by Karen Ponzio. Click here to register.

3-4 p.m., Workshop: Musician Career Coaching: Know Your Worth, Set Your Rate, and Get Paid, with Matt Starr.

4:30-6 p.m., John Densmore in Conversation with Alisyn Camerota. Click here to register.

Sunday, April 7

11 a.m.-5 p.m., VersoFest Record Fair.

11 a.m.-5 p.m., “Diamond Dogs” at 50: David Bowie Exhibit by Paul Brenton with set designer Mark Ravitz.

11 a.m.-noon, Workshop: Mind Your Business: Legal Workshop for Musicians, with Marcus Thomas.

11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Connecticut, WPLR and the Birth of Buckingham/Nicks Era Fleetwood Mac, with Dick Kalt; moderated by Dr. Jennifer Dauphinais. Click here to register.

12:30-1:30 p.m., Workshop: Video Game Music Composing with Tom Salta.

1-2 p.m., Glam to Punk, a Fashion Roundtable: Alice Cooper, Bowie, Blondie and Beyond, with Cindy Dunaway, Dennis Dunaway, Tish & Snooky (Manic Panic); moderated by Christine Ohlman. Click here to register.

2-3 p.m., Workshop: Unlock the Secrets of Radio Airplay, with Peter Gray.

3-5 p.m., Hip Hop Panel and Performances: Celebrating 51 Years of Wild Style, hosted by Tony Crush and Rodney C. Registration not required.

For questions, call the Westport Library at 203-291-4800.