Antiques Shows______

Jan 3-4: Mystic Antiques Show & Sale, Mystic Hilton, Coogan Blvd, Mystic, Sat 11 am-5 pm (early buying 10 am, $10), Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $4.50, proceeds benefit The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Assn; 860-536-7729.

Jan 10-11: 45th Papermania Plus: Buy Back A Memory, Hartford Civic Center exhibition halls, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $6 (half-price for seniors & college students w/ ID on Sun), 150 dealers from across the country, free appraisals (Sat 10 am-3 pm); 860-563-9975, 860-529-2234.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

550 Gallery, BCM Building, 550 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem. Hours: Mon-Fri 12-4 pm. Call 203-266-6995.

Through Jan 15, “Angels Over Bethlehem III: The Spirit of Giving – A Woodland Enchantment with St Nicholas,” traveling exhibit of an angel and figures of St Nicholas in vintage costumes.

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun 12-4:30 pm. Call 203-331-1104.

Through Jan 4, “3rd Annual Celebrate The Season,” Christmas & circus train displays offers Victorian style Christmas trees in museum’s 19th Century period rooms decorated w/ handmade ornaments & train display by The Connecticut G Scalers w/ 3 ovals of track covering 300+ square ft bordered by urban & rural scenes & brightly colored circus tents.

 “Grand Adventure: A Celebration of the American Spirit in Bridgeport,” permanent exhibit on museum’s 2nd floor provides in-depth exploration of Bridgeport’s 19th Century industrialization & urbanization w/ emphasis on P.T. Barnum’s role in the city’s growth.

Beaux Arts Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: M-F 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-263-3939.

Through Jan 15, “Annual Small Works Show,” juried exhibition of new & exciting artists from across country incl contemporary & traditional art from established artists w/ watercolors, pastels & other paintings, collages, photos & original prints, all works available for purchase & can be taken home the day of purchase.

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs-Sat 12-9 pm, Sun 11-4 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

Through Jan 11, “Fine Art & Handcrafts,” works by gallery members.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

On library’s main floor: *(new show) Jan 10-Feb 29, “Cityscapes & Landscapes: Oils & Watercolors by Ruth Newquist,” SoHo street scenes & New England landscapes by the Newtown artist Ruth Newquist; Jan 10, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Black Rock Gallery, 2986 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Wed-Thurs & Sat 10 am-6 pm, Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sun 10 am-3 pm. Call 203-333-6308.

Ongoing exhibit of works by local artists incl oils & watercolors by Mary Treschitta, pen & inks & colored pencils by David Ford, oils by Tom Galasinski & Ursula Starre, digital photos by David Day, and watercolors, acrylics & pastels by Lorna Pirrie.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-869-0376.

Through Jan 11, “JFK and Art,” first exhibition to examine how American & European artists help shape the Kennedy legend & legacy offers 40+ paintings, sculptures, drawings & photos from public & private collections around the world, show investigates JFK’s myth & mystique in relation to the art of its time.

Through Feb 1, “The Jewels of Louis Comfort Tiffany,” exploration of LCT’s role as proponent of Art Nouveau movement in America through his use of exotic gemstones & innovative techniques, show incl 50 examples of LCT’s jewelry designs organized into 5 themes.

Burnham Library, Rte 133, Bridgewater. Hours: Tues 1-5 pm, Wed 9 am-6 pm, Thurs 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm. Call 860-354-6937.

*(new show) Through Jan 31, “Moss Mirrors,” original works featuring fabric scenes & mirrors by Newtown artist Margaret Moss.

Connecticut Historical Society, One Elizabeth St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-236-5621.

Through April 25, “Heroes, Heartthrobs & Horrors: Celebrating Connecticut’s Invention of the American Comic Book,” story behind CT’s invention of the comic book through rare comic books & memorabilia, learn how comic books are made, create-your-own stations & dress-up for children; Jan 18, “Create A Comic Strip” workshop, 2-4 pm, incl w/ museum adm (call for reservations), join nationally syndicated cartoonist Brad Gilchrist to learn tricks of the trade during workshop designed to spur the imagination & sense of fun.

Ongoing: “Amistad: A True Story of Freedom,” re-created environments & special sound & lighting effects offer recounting of the revolt by slaves on African ship Amistad, their arrival in New London, the legal trials to determine their freedom, their life in CT & the citizens who helped them return to Africa, also historic artifacts & interactive devices.

Ongoing: “Tours & Detours Through Early Connecticut,” exploration of Colonial-era life in CT through hands-on activities incl kid-friendly activities, detailed info cards, costume try-on area, sound & light show, & unique artifacts the describe diverse stories & endeavors of Native American, European & African-American people who shaped state into place we know today.

Ongoing: “Join The Circus” (**note: open weekends only), children & adults invited to dress as magicians, elephants, clowns & other circus animals & performers, then create, direct & star in your own center ring performance, also photos from CHS collections help explore history of the circus in CT.

Fairfield Historical Society, 636 Old Post Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun 1-4:30 pm. Call 203-259-1598.

Through Jan 19, “Celebrating A Century: Treasures From The Collections of the Fairfield Historical Society,” 50+ items from collections significant to local history & American history in general incl copy of first book ever written by a slave, textiles incl ca 1798 floral patterned woman’s dress, ca 1878 wedding gown made in Paris, pre-Revolutionary War sword made by local blacksmith, much more.

Fine Line Art Gallery, 586 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-266-0110.

Through Jan 25, “Deck The Walls,” annual holiday show features gallery’s artists; Dec 12, opening reception, 12-5 pm.

Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-266-4663.

Through Feb 2, “Turning Point Glass,” recent glassware art by the Vermont craftsman Michael Egan offers a tour of the artist’s evolving designs.

Through Feb 4, “Shadows and Other Realities,” works on paper by Fethi Meghelli offering the artist’s unique artistic perspective on the contemporary world.

Gregory James Gallery, Bank Street Plaza, 27 Main St, New Milford. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm. *note: this is gallery’s new location & hours. Call 860-354-3436.

Through Jan 17, “3rd Annual Small Treasures & More,” group holiday exhibition w/ 50+ works by regular & new gallery artists incl Deborah Chabrian, Mel Crawford, Joseph Grieco, Christopher Magadini, Edward Martinez, Robert Myers, Alain Picard, Edgar Reims, Bill Rice, Anda Styler & John Swatsley.

Grey Horse Gallery, 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34 (in old Masonic Temple, 1st floor; behind St John’s Episcopal Church), Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Permanent display of oils & pastels by Dick McEvoy.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven. Hours: Labor Day to May 1, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm; May 2 to Labor Day, daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-772-2130.

Through Jan 15, “Christmas In Rome,” 3rd annual Christmas tree festival features 25 trees decorated w/ ornaments handmade by students of regional Catholic schools.

*(new show) Through Aug 31, “Creating St Peter’s: Architectural Treasures of The Vatican,” artifacts that tell the continuing story of one of the world’s most famous & beloved landmarks incl Michelangelo’s 1560 study model for the dome of St Peter’s Basilica.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Hours: daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-852-0700.

Through Jan 20, “2nd Annual Holiday Lighthouse Contest,” beautiful, illuminated lighthouse models built & decorated by regional artists & crafters.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Call 860-350-2181.

*(new show) Jan 10-Feb 18, “Etchings, Watercolors & Oils: Robert Andrew Parker,” watercolor portraits by Mr Parker, also works in other mediums; Jan 10, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Hours: Tues, Thurs-Fri & Sun 12-5 pm, Wed 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm. Museum Highlights Tour offered each Sun at 2 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

Through Jan 17, “New/Now: Walton Ford,” larger-than-life politically charged work incl meticulously rendered classic images of birds & other animals that at first appear to be Audubon-like in presentation but are commentaries on political & ecological concerns upon closer inspection; Jan 7, “Art Happy Hour: Compromising Environment – The Art of Walton Ford,” reception runs 5:30-7 pm, lecture by Agnes Curry (assistant prof of philosophy, St Joseph College) begins at 6.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-278-2670.

Through Jan 4, “Sankofa: Contemporary Culture and Ancestral Memory,” in exploration of prominence of African aesthetics among artists of the black diaspora, exhibition couples contemporary works by Robert Colescott, Kerry James Marshal, Lorna Simpson, et al w/ photography, cultural ephemera, paintings & decorative art objects from 19th & early 20th centuries.

Through Feb 15, “Grandma Moses in the 20th Century,” works by Anna Mary Robertson (“Grandma”) Moses (1860-1961) for reexamination of artist’s work on its own merits & within context of modern art history; Jan 13, “Moving Many Moseses” gallery talk, noon, incl w/ museum adm, presented by registrar Mary Schroeder; Feb 3, “Grandma Moses’s Style” gallery talk, noon, incl w/ museum adm, presented by Wadsworth acting director of education Dana Engstrom DeLoach.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

*(new show) Jan 10-Feb 1, “Young Talent Show 2004,” annual presentation of up & coming artists offers photography by Maria Isabel Artieda & Amanda Branson, still lifes by Matthew Mann, urban landscapes by Chris Segedy, oils incl nudes, dolls by Adam Parker Smith, portraits & landscapes by Brandon Soloff & clay pcs by Heather Springsteen; Jan 10, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Wilton Art Gallery & Framing, 379 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-762-8311.

Through Jan 15, “Heartfelt Thoughts,” new giclees by Dave Cutler for his new children’s book When I Wished I Was Alone.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-2800.

Through Jan 11, “Traces Of India: Photography, Architecture and The Politics of Representation,” first US showing of photos & other representations of Indian architecture from British colonial era incl 19th C photos, engravings, prints, maps, rare books, postcards, posters & other artifacts offering rich cultural context for photographic images of great monuments of India.

Through Jan 11, “Company Culture: British Artists and The East India Company, 1770-1830,” complementary exhibit to ‘Traces of India’ examines role played by visual artists in late 18th & early 19th C in documenting East India Company’s imperial initiative & formulating the image of the British presence in India incl paintings, works on paper & rare books.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Masterpiece Tours of Permanent Collection every Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through Jan 4, “Curule: Ancient Design in American Federal Furniture,” exploration of ancient Greece & Roman sella curulis (Greek, folding stool) & how it inspired classical revival furniture in early 19th C incl chairs, sofas, settees & stools.

Through June 2005, “Selections from the Permanent Collection,” rotating selection of chosen groups from the collections of African, ancient American, Asian, early American, & modern & contemporary art incl acknowledged masterpieces & works of importance in the teaching of the history of art.

Special Programs: Jan 11, Masterpiece Tour, 3 pm, led by museum docents; Jan 11, “Story, History, Magic & Myth” family program, 4 pm, led by Tom Lee (storyteller who appears in schools & museums across Northeast); Jan 14, “Focus On: Opera Antonii Pollaioli Florenttini – The Art of Antonio Pollaiuolo,” 12:20 pm, by curator of prints, drawings & photographs Suzanne Boorsch; Jan 15, “Perspectives On Art: The Confederacy and The Campagna – John Gadsby Chapman’s ‘Harvesters’ and The Rhetoric of The Civil War,” 12:20 pm, by history of art graduate student Crawford Alexander Mann III; Jan 17, Masterpiece Tour, 1:30 pm, led by museum docents; Jan 18, Masterpiece Tour, 3 pm, led by museum docents; Jan 21, “Focus On: ‘The Democratic Art’ – Chromolithography and The Cultivation of An Image-Hungry America,” 12:20 pm, by asst curator of prints, drawings & photographs Lisa Hodermarsky; Jan 23-24, “Engaging Louis I. Kahn: A Legacy for the Future” symposium, call for details (203-432-8929); Jan 24, Masterpiece Tour, 1:30 pm, led by museum docents; Jan 24, “Angles on Art,” contemporary views on works in Art Gallery’s collection by Yale undergrads; Jan 25, Masterpiece Tour, 3 pm, led by museum docents; Jan 25, “Angles on Art,” contemporary views on works in Art Gallery’s collection by Yale undergrads; Jan 28, “Focus On: Handcraft To Industry and Back Again – American Ceramics at Yale,” 12:20 pm, by acting asst curator of American decorative arts Caroline Hannah; Jan 29, “Perspectives On Art: Music Hath Charms – Listening to William Sidney Mount’s After Dinner,” by doctoral candidate (history of art) Graham Boettcher; Jan 31, Masterpiece Tour, 1:30 pm, led by museum docents; Jan 31, “Angles on Art,” contemporary views on works in Art Gallery’s collection by Yale undergrads.

*(please note: as of May 2003, all exhibitions & most programs are in adjacent Egerton Swartwout building; YUAG will be undergoing extensive renovations for two years.)

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Connecticut Master Chorale. Call 775-2602.

Jan 6: New season of rehearsals begin, openings in soprano section, call director Tina Johns Heidrich for audition appt, award-winning 55-voice auditioned chorale rehearses weekly at South Britain Congregational Church House, Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd, call for details.

Connecticut Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury CT 06704-0053. Call 203-584-2857.

Feb 27: Deadline for entries in annual Lynn DeCaro Poetry Competition, no fee to enter, cash prizes ($75, $50, $25) for top 3 choices, open to CT high school students, all subject matter accepted, up to 3 poems can be entered, entries must be typed on white 8 ½ x 11-inch paper, call for full details or send SASE to address above.

Ridgefield Theatre Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850 x3.

Jan 11-12: Auditions for The Vagina Monologues, 7-9:30 pm, women of all ages, races & ethnic backgrounds welcome for cold readings, bring photos if available, character monologues welcome, dress comfortably, production scheduled for March 12-April 25 weekends.

TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford. Call 860-350-6863.

Jan 5-6: Auditions for David Lindsay Abaire’s comedy Fuddy Meers, director Susan Pettibone is seeking 3 men, 1 teenage boy & 3 women, all roles available, professionals & amateurs welcome, auditions will consist of cold readings from script, no appointments necessady, rehearsals to be Mon-Thurs beginning late Jan, production will be weekends Feb 20-March 20.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Jan 3: The Burr Johnson Band at Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport, 8 pm, tickets $15, jazz fusion; 203-696-0031.

Jan 4: “Welcome All Wonders,” Trinity Episcopal Church, 30 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4 pm, $10 sugg donation, choral & brass concert of seasonal music by Naugatuck Valley Community College Chorus & NVCC Orchestra will include works of Bass, Rutter, Carter, et al (concert rescheduled from December 14); 203-575-8039.

Jan 10: Liz Carroll & John Doyle in concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $5 children, performance of traditional Irish music & song by Ms Carroll on fiddle & Mr Doyle on guitar, bouzouki & vocals is presented by Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society; 203-256-8453.

Jan 10: Josée Vachon at St Margaret’s-McTernan School, 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 1:30 pm, tickets $10, performance by Ms Vachon of traditional & contemporary folk songs will be part of holiday celebration hosted by Alliance Française of Northwestern CT (optional lunch begins at 1:30, addt’l $16, call for reservations), reservations requested ASAP; 364-1224, 203-263-4096.

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010, 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396).

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Jan 24, Yale Russian Chorus, $15 & $20, premiere performance ensemble of Slavic music, 20-member choral ensemble specializes in sacred & secular Slavic choral music.

Films _________________

Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 778-2100.

Jan 1-8: Calendar Girls, (P-13), daily 7:30 & 9:50 pm, mat Thurs, Sun & Wed 12:45, 3 & 5:15 pm; In America (PG-13) daily 7:15 & 9:30 pm, mat Thurs, Sun & Wed 1:50, 4:20 pm; Something’s Gotta Give (PG-13), daily 6:55 & 9:40 pm, mat Thurs, Sun & Wed 1:15 & 4 pm. Held over for another week: Love Actually (R), daily 6:45 pm, mat Thurs, Sun & Wed 1:05 pm; Master & Commander (P-13), daily 9:20 pm, mat Thurs, Sun & Wed, 3:50 pm.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-4533.

Jan 25: A Tale of Winter (in French w/ subtitles), 2 pm, free screening sponsored by Alliance Française of Northwestern CT.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-2475.

Jan 2-8: Walt Disney’s Brother Bear (G), Fri-Sun 7 & 9 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Fri-Sat 11 am, 1:30 & 4 pm; Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Call 203-852-0700.

Now showing: Coral Reef Adventure, daily 11 am, 12:10, 2:10 & 3:20 pm; Dolphins, Sat-Sun 2 & 4 pm; Mysteries of Egypt, daily 11 am; Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey, Mon-Fri 1 pm, Fri-Sun also 6:30 & 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 5 pm.

Through March 14: Young Black Stallion, through Jan 11 shows at 11 am, 1, 2:10, 3:20, 4:30 & 7 pm daily.

Quick Center at Fairfield University, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Russian Film Series, screenings 7 pm, adm $7 ($30/series): Jan 26, Repentance.

For Kids & Families _________

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre Co., 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

Rumpelstiltskin, Jan 10-Feb 29, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50, group discounts available.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

Polka Dot Kids Theatre Series, monthly series w/ guest performers, shows at 10 am & noon, tickets $12, series tickets & group discounts available: Jan 10, The Elephant Child by The Puppet People, adaptation of Kiplin’s tale of how elephants got their long noses.

Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

2003-04 Saturday Series For Children, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15 (series discounts available): Jan 31, “Super Scientific,” a funny, whimsical look at the world of science.

Miscellaneous ___________

Jan 2: Newtown Singles Meet & Mingle Event, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-9 pm, all welcome; 261-4210.

Jan 3: Alliance Française of Northwestern CT Café-Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, join club members who will be reading & speaking in French (topics vary from simple chitchat to discussions focused on French culture, history or news events), join the discussion or just listen in, all welcome, light refreshments OK, call library if inclement weather; 262-0626.

Jan 4: Stratford Baseball Card & Sports Memorabilia Show, Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-3 pm, adm $3 adults, 99 cents ages 10 & under, special appearance by NFL legend Tom Dempsey (12-1 pm), dealers from 5 states participating; 364-1209.

Jan 5: BookTalk program, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free & open to all, author Erik Ruark will led discussion of his Antebellum; 264-1716, 262-6123.

Jan 6: Housatonic Valley Group/The Sierra Club meeting, Newtown Congregational Church House, 41-A Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free, program by Hope Douglas from Wind Over Wings will incl live demonstrations by birds of prey & presentation about the Clinton-based animal rehabilitation and education center, all welcome; 775-9644.

Jan 10: Champagne & Celebration: Holiday Celebration w/ Alliance Française of Northwestern CT, at St Margaret’s-McTernan School, 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 1:30-5:30 pm, tickets $26 for full afternoon, $12 students, $5 ages 11 & under, $10 adults for performance only, afternoon of coffee, pastry & games will feature performance by Josée Vachon of traditional & contemporary folk songs, reservations requested ASAP; 364-1224, 203-263-4096.

Jan 11: Bingo, Fun & Friends at Congregational Adath Israel, 111 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown, begins 3 pm, adm $1 (incl one Bingo card, addt’l cards 50¢ each, all ages welcome & a variety of prizes available incl one-hour massages, restaurant gift certificates, stuffed animals & more, reservations requested (but not mandatory); 426-7801, 268-1342.

Jan 17: Alliance Française of Northwestern CT Café-Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, join club members who will be reading & speaking in French (topics vary from simple chitchat to discussions focused on French culture, history or news events), join the discussion or just listen in, all welcome, light refreshments OK, call library if inclement weather; 262-0626.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave **temporarily at 137 Greenwood Ave (in building w/ Hauser Chocolate), Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Free public programs: Jan 13, discussion of Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife, 7 pm.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-4533.

Programs free unless noted: Jan 6, book discussion, 1 pm, discussion of Joseph Ellis’s Founding Brothers; Jan 8, “Can Great Literature Be Funny?” program, 7:30 pm, discussion of Noel Coward’s Blithe Spirit opens new discussion series co-hosted by Liz Arneth & Gordon Williams; Jan 13, book discussion, 1 pm, discussion of Sue Kidd Monk’s The Secret Life of Bees; Jan 15, Evening Book Club, 7:30 pm, discussion of Tony Horowitz’s Confederates in The Attic, newcomers welcome; Jan 22, “Can Great Literature Be Funny?” program, 7:30 pm, discussion of Hart & Kaufman’s You Can’t Take It With You continues discussion series co-hosted by Liz Arneth & Gordon Williams, newcomers welcome.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. (Jan-March) Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 778-8337.

Wednesday Evening Events series, 7:30-8:30 pm, sm donation requested, programs follow weekly museum member meetings, subjects as follows, call if inclement weather: Jan 7, “Eastern Fan Trips: Steam of 70s” by Dan Gallo Jr; Jan 14, slides by Pete McLachlan; Jan 21, “Long Island RR Fan Trip” by Steve Gould.”

Kismet, programs at Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 748-3125.

Dinner programs 2nd Wed/month, $45, reservations required: upcoming program Jan 14.

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, Newtown. Call 270-4377.

Shop is open every Wed 12-3 pm & Sat 9 am-noon, access is from town hall’s back parking lot (separate door for thrift shop), shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing & sm home accessories, etc.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meetings, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6224.

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6-8 pm (weigh-ins 6-6:45, meetings 7-8), meetings $2/week, membership $20/year.

Wednesday Night Poetry, Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 270-6202 (Michael Seri), 748-2828 (BAJ).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: Jan 7, Diva Night 2004, open mic w/ no feature; Jan 14, Charles Rafferty; Jan 21, Iyaba Mandingo; Jan 28, Elizabeth Thomas.

Theatre ______________

Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

La Cage Aux Folles: 20th Anniversary, through Feb 8, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $37.50-$45.50.

Hartford Stage, 50 Church St, Hartford. Call 860-527-5151.

The Mystery of Irma Vep – A Penny Dreadful, Jan 8-Feb 8, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun-Thurs 7:30 pm, call for mat schedule (selected Wed, Sat & Sun).

Long Wharf Theatre, 222 Sargent Dr, New Haven. Call 203-787-4282.

On Stage II: A New War, through Jan 18, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $38-$55.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

Yellowman, Jan 29-Feb 29, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$35, group rates available.

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850.

A Taffeta Christmas, through Jan 4, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 students & seniors, cabaret seating, theater opens one hour before performance.

TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford. Call 860-350-6863.

 Dirty Blonde, through Jan 3, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun (Dec 21 only) 2 pm, tickets $15; also Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala Performance, 8 pm, tickets $30, full production also hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown events listed first, with additional events listed by their start time. At the time of printing, the information here is accurate as presented; a call ahead is always a good idea to be safe.

DEADLINE INFORMATION

Press releases for the Enjoy calendar of events or the Enjoy section must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to the attention of Shannon Hicks, Arts Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color prints; please call for details concerning photo files to be emailed.