Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through Feb 24: “2007 Emerging Artist Award Exhibition: Marti Cormand,” paintings & drawings that focus on tightly-rendered landscapes which explore the nature of representation in the digital age.

Through May 26: “Charlotte Schulz: An Insufficiency in Our Screens,” first solo museum exhibition by artist who participated in Aldrich’s 2003 Radius program features 2- & 3-dimension charcoal drawings that “invite the viewer to explore strange composite architectural spaces in which dreams blend w/ memory & reality.”

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 1-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through Jan 29: “My Pleasure: Paintings by Bill Carney,” paintings by Mr Carney, both realistic & whimsical.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Call 203-869-0376.

Through Feb 24: “A Taste For Chocolate,” the natural & artistic history of chocolate, which has been consumed worldwide as confection & beverage but also traded as currency, given yearly as token of enduring love, & inspires passion bordering on obsession & addiction.

Through March 22: “Navajo Textiles from the Bruce Museum,” 10 examples from Transitional period to Rug period, exploring important period in the history of Navajo artistic when technological advances & growth of commercial interest in Navajo craft replaced traditional methods of weaving.

Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Mathews Park, 299 West Ave, Norwalk. Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Call 203-899-7999.

Through March 15: “Not Printed on Paper,” prints on anything other than paper incl leather, steel, copper, plastic, plaster, wax, carpet & fabric, curated by master printer Anthony Kirk.

Fairfield Arts Council, 70 Sanford St, Fairfield. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm, Sat 1-4 pm. Call 203-319-1419.

Through Feb 28: “A Printer’s Eye: The Print Collection of James Reed,” approx 50 selections from the extensive print collection of artist, master printmaker & teacher James Reed.

Through Feb 28: mixed media drawings by e.b. tierney. 

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Wed-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through Jan 27: works by abstract painter Susan Monserud & collage artist Erica Harris.

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (on the green), New Milford. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun & eves by appt. Call 860-354-3436.

Through Jan 13: “Small Treasures & More,” annual group exhibit offers 50+ works by Thomas Adkins, James Coe, Rick Daskam, Ralph Della-Volpe, Robert Ferrucci, Joseph Greico, Sonja Grineva, Woldemar Neufeld, Bill Rice, Dennis Stuart, et al.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, New Haven, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-865-0400.

Through Feb 3: “A Christmas Journey Around Italy,” 17 Italian crèches, ranging from 2 ft wide to more than 13 ft wide by 11½ ft deep, from through Italy (incl Rome, Venice, Naples, Sicily & the Alps), from a region w/ reputation as creating finest Nativity scenes in Italy.

Through Feb 3: “The Swiss Guard: Celebrating 500 Years of Papal Service,” armor, weaponry, uniforms & documents of the world’s oldest security force.

Through April 6: “Crosses and Crucifixes,” more than 160 works of art symbolizing the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ through mix of antique & contemporary examples.

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

Through Jan 21: “Festival of Lighthouses,” sixth annual presentation of 24 model lighthouses decorated for the holidays by local artists & amateurs, visitors invited to vote for Viewers’ Favorite.

Ongoing: “Frogs!” new permanent exhibition brings visitors nose-to-nose w/ range of amazing amphibians. Also “Adventure Under the Sea,” special exhibit allows visitors to meet some of the real undersea animals like sponges, crabs & sea stars that inspired SpongeBob SquarePants characters & learn about their amazing adaptations incl yellow boring sea sponge, king crabs, brittle stars, et al.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Mon 12-7 pm, Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am-2 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through Feb 18: :The Patterson Legacy: Three Generations of Artists,” paintings by Howard Ashman Patterson, his son Robert Burns Patterson & his grandsons David Burns Patterson & Michael Remington Patterson.

Morrison Gallery, Kent Village Barns, 8 Old Barn Rd (near Rte 7 at Rte 341), Kent. Hours: Wed-Sat 10:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 860-927-4501.

*(new show) Jan 19-March 16: exhibition featuring works by internationally acclaimed artists Chris Armstrong, Bascove, Alexander Liberman, Billy Martin, Robert Andrew Parker, Eric Sloane, Michael Steiner, Yuri Vaschenko & Peter Woytuk; Jan 19, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Call 203-432-5050.

Through Feb 24: “Seeing Wonders: The Nature of Fly Fishing,” comprehensive overview of the history & techniques of fly fishing & fly tying, also displays of historic & celebrity rods, reels & entomology, supplemented w/ specimens from museum’s vertebrate zoology collections.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Tues-Fri 11 am-5 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

*(new show) Jan 19-Nov 9: “Pop To The Present: New Questions, New Responses,” paintings, sculpture, collage, prints, installations & photography from museum’s permanent collection of contemporary art, w/ more than 40 artists represented; Feb 7, Phoenix After Hours: First Thursdays at the Atheneum, 6 pm, monthly program will feature gallery talk w/ guest curator John Paoletti.

*(exhibition extended) Through Dec 30: “Faith & Fortune: Five Centuries of European Masterworks,” pairing of 60 of museum’s Old Master paintings following three-year national tour w/ sculpture & decorative arts from the museum’s permanent collections incl works of Fra Angelico, Caravaggio, Hals, Zurbaran, Canaletto, Boucher, Tiepelo, et al.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through Jan 28: “Young Talent 2008,” works by Rita DeAngelo (“shadow paintings”), Chelsea Harris (drawings), Siobhan McBride (paintings), Marc Mitchell (paintings), Katherine Norton (sculpture) & Mari Skarp (mixed media/sculpture).

Westover School main dining room, 1237 Whittemore Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Hours: daily 8 am-5:30 pm (when school is in session). Call 203-758-2423.

*(new show) Through Feb 7: “A Journey Towards Hope: A Pictorial History of Oberlin (Ohio), Abolition and the Underground Railroad,” photographs by Westover School alumna Coriana Close depicting homes that sheltered runaway slaves in their flight toward freedom during mid 1800s, all shot at night in order to place viewer in perspective of slave seeking shelter; Feb 7, Chapel Talk by Ms Close, call for start time.

Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours:  Mon-Thurs 10 am-4 pm, Sun 1-4. Call 762-7257.

Through Feb 3: “Toys and Trains at Wilton Heritage Museum,” presentation of multiple working train exhibits.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

Through Jan 30: “Mostly Children: Portraits in Oil,” works by the painter Ariane Beigneux.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-567-3163.

*(new show) Jan 26-April 19: “Portals,” drawings by Mary Lou Alberetti based on studies & travels through Italy, Spain & Turkey, plus works by her husband Robert Alberetti in oil, collage, mixed media, watercolor & encaustic; Jan 26, opening reception, 1-3 pm.

Woodbury Antiques and Fine Art, 473 Main St South, Woodbury. Call 266-4753.

Through Feb 24: “New England: We shall be as a City upon a Hill,” historic New England landscape paintings incl works by Carolyn M. Bell, E.C.Coates, George Mitchell, J.W. Bell, et al.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Goodspeed Musicals, 6 Main St, East Haddam. Call 860-873-8664.

Jan 26-27: Local Equity auditions for 2008 season, 10 am-5 pm, by appt only, appointments may be made starting Jan 14, non-Equity actors will be seen as appts permit, seeking male & female actors ages 12-18 & adult, bring resume, photo & sheet music, be prepared to sing 1 uptempo song & 1 ballad, music must be legible & in proper key (no lead sheets), accompanist provided, call Company Management at above phone # for appt, details.

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

Feb 4-5: Casting call for Ron Hutchinson’s Moonlight and Magnolias, 7-9 pm, director Sonnie Osborne seeking 3 men & 1 woman for fast-paced comedy (character breakdowns available at TheatreWorks.us), all roles available, professional & amateur actors welcome, auditions will be readings from script, stipends available for all performers, technicians & directors, rehearsals to begin late Feb (usu Mon-Thurs eves), performances to be weekends April 18-May 10 (incl matinee Sun, May 4).

Western CT chapter of CT State Music Teachers Assn, at WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury. Call 792-6985.

March 9: CSMTA chapter will sponsor 2nd Annual Ensemble Festival, open to vocal & instrumental student ensembles, 2 pianos to be available, teachers interested in having their students participate should call phone # above.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Jan 19: FairWestSwing Swing Lessons & Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, doors open 7 pm, introductory swing lesson at 7:30, supplemental swing dance lesson 8:30, dancing 9:30-midnight, adm $15 (incl 1 dance lesson), $20 (for both lessons), $5 student discount, very beginner friendly event, no partner required, music by swing DJ, air conditioned & dehumidified hall, dances held 1st & 3rd Sat each month; 203-522-5341.   

Jan 20: Feis Na Blian Nua Irish Dance Competition, O’Neill Athletic & Convention Center at Western CT State Univ (westside campus), University Blvd, Danbury, begins 9 am, results by 2 pm; 845-598-3094.

Jan 23: Screening of Franco Zeffirelli’s adapted version of Verdi’s Otello, Pomperaug Woods auditorium, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 1 pm, free screening of 1986 performance featuring Placido Domingo, Katia Ricciarelli & Justino Diaz will continue Southbury Senior Center’s “Afternoon at the Opera” series; 262-0651 (Southbury Senior Center), 262-6557 (Pomperaug Woods).

Jan 26: Monthly ballroom dance, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $15 (reservations suggested), dance lesson at 8, performance by four-time Bulgarian Latin Champions Plamen Danailov & Tina Gerova at 9:30, music provided by DJ, singles & couples welcome, snacks incl in adm; 203-374-7308.

Jan 27: “Postcards From Paris,” Danbury Symphony Orchestra at Western CT State University’s Ives Concert Hall (within White Hall), 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance will offer program of works by French composers incl Saint-Saëns’ “Bacchanale” from Samson and Delia, Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, work for string orchestra by Pierne, also guest violinist Nicole Kilroy (senior at Poughkeepsie Day School, winner 6th Annual DSO Student Concerto Competition) will perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto; 748-1716.

Jan 27: “Doug Hartline & Friends: A Benefit Concert,” Long Ridge United Methodist Church, 193 Long Ridge Rd, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance by guitarist & composer Doug Hartline, w/ keyboardist Nick Bariluk & bassist George Skidd, will incl uniquely arranged traditional music & church hymns played in jazz, folk & country styles, reception to follow, goodwill collection will benefit Friends of Furcy for humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti; 744-2337.

Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 268-8570.

Weekly Ballroom Dancing, Wed 7-11 pm, adm $15 (incl buffet), music provided by DJ, free dance lesson (7:15-7:45 pm), cash bar, door prizes, singles, couples & beginners all welcome.

Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Jan 26, Jorma Kaukonen, $47.50; Jan 27, Richard Thompson’s 1,000 Years of Popular Music, $45; Feb 2, Michelle Shocked, $45.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-574-4283.

Concerts at Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 3 pm (pre-concert lecture 2:15, also post-performance lecture w/ Music Director Leif Bjaland & Concertmaster Alyce Cognetta Bertz), tickets $15-$40: Jan 27, performance of Brahms’s Piano Concerto No 2 w/ guest pianist William Wolfram, also Dvorak’s Symphony No 8 in G Major.

Young Persons Concert Series, at Trinity Church, 651 Pequot Ave, Southport. Call 203-254-0123.

Free concerts, 2 pm, suitable for ages 5-17 (usu about an hour long): Jan 19, performance by prize-winning pianist Andrius Zlabys, to be followed by free master class (call 203-938-3843 for details & registration).

Films _________________

Jan 25: Screening of The Collector, Mark Twain Library, Rte 53 at Round Hill Rd, Redding, 7:30 pm, free program hosted by sculptor, woodcut artist & educator James Grashow will feature documentary about famed NYC gallery owner Allan Stone, following his 46-year career; 203-938-2545.

Jan 26-27: The Nations of the Northeast, The Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, 2 pm, $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children, screenings will launch 6-part film festival featuring TBS series The Native Americans; 860-868-0518.

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

Independent Film Festival, free, screenings 7:30 pm: Jan 30, Viva Cuba.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury. Call 797-4533.

Teen Movie Night, for students in grades 6-12, 7 pm, free but adv reservations & permission slips required (call teen librarian, 797-4528): Jan 18, The Bourne Ultimatum.

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

Jan 18-21: Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium (G), Fri-Sun 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Mon 1 pm.

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

Through Feb 17: The Alps, Mon-Fri 11 am, 1 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, 1, 3 & 4 pm; The Polar Express, call for show times; Tropical Rainforest, daily 12 & 2 pm.

Through Feb 17: Beowulf (PG-13), Thurs 8 pm, Fri 7:15 & 9:30 pm, Sat 5, 7:15 & 9:30 pm & Sun 5 & 7:15 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Jan 20: Indoor Historic Games, Tapping Reeve House, 82 South St, Litchfield, 2-4 pm, adm $3 ($8 max/families), board games, game-rhymes, histories & guessing games from American history, also hot chocolate, cookies & conversation, registration required; 860-567-4501.

Jan 27: Family Day at Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St, New Haven, 1-4 pm, free adm & special events for families to incl art, story telling, tours suitable for ages 4-10, light refreshments, spring calendar of events will be available; 203-432-0600.

Feb 3: Magician-Illusionist Stephen Christopher, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, performances 1 & 3 pm, tickets $5, performances by Mr Christopher sponsored by Newtown Junior Women’s Club; 270-6569.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-4533 (children’s dept 426-3851).

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Feb 2, Valentine Craft, 1 pm, $3 material fee due at registration (in person; no phone registrations), ages 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for one-hour workshop.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Feb 5, Creative Chocolates for Valentine’s Day, 3-5 pm (snow date Feb 12), $6 supply fee, readers in grades 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for workshop.

Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4505 (Junior Dept, 797-4528).

Teen Movie Night series, for students in grades 6-12, 7 pm, free but adv reservations & permission slips required (call teen librarian, 797-4528): Jan 18, The Bourne Ultimatum.

Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington. Call 860-868-0518.

The Native Americans Film Festival, included w/ museum adm ($5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children): Jan 26-27, screenings of TBS series will begin w/ The Nations of the Northeast, 2 pm, through the eyes & words of Mohawk, Seneca, Penobscot, Oneida & Wampanoag.

Young Persons Concert Series, at Trinity Church, 651 Pequot Ave, Southport. Call 203-254-0123.

Free concerts, 2 pm, suitable for ages 5-17 (usu about an hour long): Jan 19, performance by prize-winning pianist Andrius Zlabys, to be followed by free master class (call 203-938-3843 for details & registration).

 

Miscellaneous ___________

Jan 19: New Year’s Psychic Fair, Fairfield County Agricultural Center, 69 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 11 am-4 pm, free adm, presented by Trinity Productions; 860-355-1511.

Jan 19: Roast Beef Dinner, Good Shepherd Lodge #65, 25 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, 5-7 pm, adm $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 ages 5-12, free ages 4 & under, take-out available, dinner of roast beef, salad, mashed potatoes, veggies & cake; 860-355-0243.

Jan 20: 2nd annual Designer Bridal Gown Sample Sale, Burr Homestead, 739 Old Post Rd, Fairfield, 10 am-4 pm, store sample bridal gowns from bridal salons across CT incl some by designers Monique Lhuillier, Anne Barge, Paloma Blanca, Melissa Sweet, Lazaro, Romona Keveza, et al, will be offered at 40-80% discount from full retail prices, 50% of sale’s proceeds will benefit Bridgeport Childcare Center Project; 203-259-9995.

Jan 21: “The Legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr: Carlotta Walls LaNier,” Western CT State Univ Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 6 pm, free talk by Ms LaNier, one of the “Little Rock Nine,” will commemorate the ongoing Civil Rights legacy of MLK, program also to incl performances by choral singers & praise dancers; 837-8278.

Jan 21: Housatonic group/Sierra Club meeting, Brookfield Community Center, 100 Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 7:30 pm, free & open to non-members, screening of Save Our Land, Save Our Town, which chronicles the loss of farms, forests & open space in the East & what local & state governments have been doing about it; 775-9644.

Jan 22: “The Care and Culture of Roses: A Good Old-Fashioned Primer,” C.H. Booth Library Knoepke Meeting Room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, free program by rose specialist Donna J. Fuss, hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown; 270-1108.

Jan 23: “Live, Learn, Laugh and Love: Stress Reduction & Make-Up Tips,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, 10:30 am-noon, free program (registration requested) for moms w/ tots (children welcome at program) by counselor & educator Rebecca Blonski (Families Network of Western CT) will cover stress reduction through relaxation, lifestyle changes & time management, also presentation by representative from Paul Mitchell School on make-up for moms on the go, programs continue (diff topics) Jan 30 & Feb 6; 797-4528 (call 797-4505 if weather questionable).

Jan 23: “The Ecological Importance of Sea Turtle Conservation,” Western CT State University Science Building Room 219, Osborne St at Dr James Roach Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, free presentation by Dr Theodora Pinou (assistant professor, WCSU Dept of Biological & Environmental Sciences); 837-8793.

Jan 24: MFA Lecture Series: Matthew Lopas, Western CT State Univ White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am, free lecture by Mr Lopas will open spring series of lectures by leading contemporary fine artists sponsored by school’s Master of Fine Arts program;  837-8881.

Jan 25: Poetry reading by Jennifer Rose, Westover School, 1237 Whittemore Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury, 7:30 pm, free readings by the author of The Old Direction of Heaven & Hometown for an Hour; 203-758-2423.

Jan 26: “Sewing Workshop: Help preserve the museum’s textiles collection,” Naugatuck Historical Society Museum, 195 Water St, Naugatuck, sugg donation $2 (free for museum members), light refreshments; 203-729-9039.

Jan 26: Gunn Writers’ Series – Robert Vare, Gunn Memorial Library, Wykeham Rd at Rte 47, Washington Green, 6:30 pm, reception for Litchfield resident & Atlantic Monthly editor-at-large will be followed by discussion of The American Idea: best of the Atlantic Monthly; 150 Years of Writers and Thinkers Who Shaped our History, which Mr Vare compiled, edited & wrote intro for; 860-868-7586.

Jan 27: Open House at Chase Collegiate School, 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 1-3 pm, families invited to tour campus, learn about curriculum, programs & application process, info session planned for those entering grades 1-12, also opportunities to meet current faculty, students & parents; 203-236-9560.

Jan 30: “Live, Learn, Laugh and Love: Tantrums & Massage Therapy,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, 10:30 am-noon, free program (registration requested) for moms w/ tots (children welcome at program) by counselor & educator Rebecca Blonski (Families Network of Western CT) will cover handling tantrums, also presentation by massage therapist Chris Ladd (Physicians Health & Injury Centers) will discuss benefits of massage to reduce stress, series continues (diff topic, final program) Feb 6; 797-4528 (registration; call 797-4505 if inclement weather).

Feb 2: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner incl salad, desserts, and soft drinks/coffee raises funds each month for church, all welcome, coffee house/musical event follows (see separate Concerts listing); 426-9998.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Programs free unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: Jan 20, Adult Nature Walk: Winter Botany and More, 1-3 pm, $5 ($3 for members), join naturalist Jim Dennan for walk in fields & meadows to look for clues to ID the remains of summer’s floral, see animal tracks in snow, ducks on river & birds at feeders; Jan 20, Sunday Afternoon at The Bent, 1-4 pm, explore center’s trails on your own, then enjoy hot chocolate or tea in center’s barn, where naturalist Jim Drennan will be on hand to answer questions about Bent & its wildlife (after 3 pm); Jan 22, Full Wolf Moon Walk, 5:30-7:30 pm, $5 ($3 members; reservations required, group limited to 20 people), join naturalist Jim Drennan for guided walk under full Wolf Moon, listen for calls of owls & learn about adaptations of nocturnal animals, bring flashlight for return walk, heavy cloud cover or rain cancels; Jan 23, Wednesday Morning Nature Walk, 9:30 am, $5 ($3 members), join education program manager Chris Cohen for leisurely one-hour discovery tour through fields & forest in search “whatever nature has to offer – waterfowl in water, raptors overhead, or coyotes & foxes on the hunt,” meet at Welcome Kiosk; Jan 27, Mammal Tracking Class, 10 am-4 pm, $110 ($75 members; registration due by Jan 23), join Nick & Valerie Major Wisniewski (Walnut Tracking & Nature Center) for day devoted to learning about animal signs & following the tracks of Bent’s resident deer, foxes, weasels, fishers, etc, hiking will be moderate to strenuous, dress warmly in layers, wear warm waterproof boots, bring lunch & hot drink, program will run in snow, rain or sun (bring skis or snowshoes if snow); Jan 27, Adult Nature Walk: Winter Botany and More, 1-3 pm, $5 ($3 for members), join naturalist Jim Dennan for walk in fields & meadows to look for clues to ID the remains of summer’s floral, see animal tracks in snow, ducks on river & birds at feeders; Jan 27, Sunday Afternoon at The Bent, 1-4 pm, explore center’s trails on your own, then enjoy hot chocolate or tea in center’s barn, where naturalist Jim Drennan will be on hand to answer questions about Bent & its wildlife (after 3 pm).

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

Programs free unless noted: Jan 22, “Get Organized!” 7 pm, panel discussion w/ professional organizers Cara Brook & Jill McKean will incl time management tips, plus ideas on paring down & simplifying; Jan 24, Nonfiction Book Group (newcomers welcome), discussion of The Looming Tower, 1 pm.

Danbury BNI Trailblazers, meetings at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury. Call 797-1122.

Group meets Wednesdays, 8-9:30 am, members network & help build businesses, all visitors welcome, contact Mark Vendetti at above phone # for details.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4505.

Free programs unless noted, no registration needed (unless noted): Jan 20, “The Art of Michael Whelan: An Illustrated Lecture,” 2 pm, presentation by the multi-Hugo Award winning artist will cover his career & the creative process that works for him w/ slides; Jan 23, “Live, Learn, Laugh and Love: Stress Reduction & Make-Up Tips,” 10:30 am-noon (registration requested) for moms w/ tots (children welcome at program) by counselor & educator Rebecca Blonski (Families Network of Western CT) will cover stress reduction through relaxation, lifestyle changes & time management, also presentation by representative from Paul Mitchell School on make-up for moms on the go, programs continue (diff topics) Jan 30 & Feb 6 (call 797-4528 to register, 797-4505 if weather questionable).

Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington. Call 860-868-0518.

Jan 19, Winter Walk, 12:30-2:30 pm, $8 adults ($6 members), $4 children, join Jamie Leffler for walk & program to learn which animals live in the area & also how to start a fire in the show (CT educators can earn .2 CEUs); Jan 27, Spirituality & Drum Circle, 2 pm, new group will meet 4th Sunday/month, focus of each gathering will be listening silence, sacred drumming & rattling.

The Native Americans Film Festival, included w/ museum adm ($5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children): Jan 26-27, screenings of TBS series will begin w/ The Nations of the Northeast, 2 pm, through the eyes & words of Mohawk, Seneca, Penobscot, Oneida & Wampanoag.

Newtown Hikers. Call 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 10 am (winter start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Jan 19, Compo Beach, Westport (Diane Pielcuski, 203-240-2061); Jan 26, Bear Mountain Reservoir Trail, Danbury (Molly Schleiss, 914-766-4546); Feb 2, Bee Brook, Washington  (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025).

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, shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing, sm home accessories & more.

Shepaug Eagle Observation Area, Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station, River Rd, Southbury. Call (Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm) 800-368-8954.

Seasonal: Observation area open to March 12 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required (reservations line now open).

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6654.

Jan 19-27: Color in January 288, at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, 10 am-4 pm daily, show & sale of works by SCAN members incl paintings & drawings, opening reception Jan 19 2-4 pm, also demos each Sat-Sun at 12:30: Jan 19 Pat Barkman (watercolor landscape), Jan 20 Alain Picard (pastel landscape), Jan 26 Vince Giarrano (oil still life), Jan 27 Beverly Branch (acrylic portrait); show chairman is Sandra Scott (203-445-8975).

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), 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 $24/year.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: Jan 19, opening sets by Rod Reyes & Randy Levin, headliner Patty Rosborough, **note: this show will have extreme adult content; Jan 26, opening acts TBA, headliner Pete Michaels.

Theatre ______________

Jan 25-26: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown: The Musical, at Edmond Town Hall theatre, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, curtain Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 2 & 7:30 pm, tickets $18 adults, $13 students & seniors, performance by members of Sabrina’s Encore Productions, LLC will feature primarily Newtown young adult actors; 304-1236.

Jan 27: From Page to Stage: The Case of the Curious Condiment, Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport, 7 pm, $10 sugg donation, new series of play readings (or works in progress) & post-reading discussions w/ playwright & director will begin w/ Agatha Christie murder-mystery parody written by Jack Rushen; 203-333-3666.

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

Let Me Down Easy, through Feb 3, curtain Tues-Wed & Sun 7 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $31.25-$61.25.

On Stage II: Jan 22, In Conflict, curtain 8 pm, tickets $10.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items 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, Associate Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.