Organizers are anticipating a heavy turnout for a guest lecture this weekend by former Brown University Prof. Darrell West at the Newport Art Museum.

West returns to Rhode Island to deliver a speech entitled, "Political Perspectives from the Beltway." Since leaving Brown last year, he has served as vice president and director of governance studies for the left-leaning Washington think tank, the Brookings Institution.

"Seats are expected to sell quickly," said a spokeswoman for the museum.

The lecture begins Saturday at 2 p.m. in the museum's Griswold House, 76 Bellevue Ave. Tickets are $12.