Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places __________________

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room): Through Jan 31: pastel portraits by Frank Arena.

Discovery Museum & Planetarium, 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport; 203-372-3521.

Through Jan 30: “Giant Worlds: A Voyage To The Outer Solar System,” hands-on collection allows visitors to learn about Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune incl their formation, atmosphere, comparisons to Earth & more.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton; 203-261-0134.

Through Feb 15: “Methods in Botanical Art,” watercolors & colored pencil artwork, needle arts  (incl pcs incorporating antique methods) & jewelry by local botanical artist Christine Leddy.

Through Feb 26: “Easton Arts Council’s Annual Member Show,” 113 works by 67 artists, photographers & sculptures from 22 CT towns.

The Gallery at Hunt Hill Farm, 44 Upland Hill Rd, New Milford; 860-355-0300.

Through Jan 30: “Six Views,” photographs by NHS students Casey Rose-Kearns, Casey Hill & Melissa Destaphano, plus 3 Brookfield HS students, who have mentored w/ photographer Laurie Klein & assistant Nicole Cudzilo; Jan 23, gallery talk w/ featured artists, 2 pm.

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

Through March 28: “Stars and Stripes: new work by Patricia Brace,” new work by grad student who uses craft & minimalism to align concepts of American patriotism & feminism.

Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Road (at Rte 47), Washington Green; 860-868-7756.

Through Jan 16: “Washington Winter Wonderland,” more than 130 vintage Steiff stuffed animals, Christmas trees decorated by local designers & mural by former Metropolitan Opera scenic artist John Pitts.

The Stairwell Gallery: Through Feb 19: “Through the Eyes of Robert Andrew Parker,” works by the Cornwall artist incl still life oils on wood panel & hand-colored etchings from his travels through Spain & Ireland, also reinterpretation of the alphabet by Mr Parker.

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

The Artist’s Corner (within Museum Shop, can be visited without paying full museum adm): Through Jan 29: ”Red Bear’s Frontier,” finely crafted personal accessories by Daniel Bosques (Taino descent), of buffalo, elk, deer & other quality leathers, that replicate goods that would have served frontiersmen & Native American peoples during 16th & 17th Century.

Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury; 203-753-0381.

Through March 25: “Suburban Dreams: Middlebury in the 20th Century,” survey of historic sites & buildings in Middlebury combined w/ links between industrial leaders of Naugatuck Valley & growth of Middlebury from farm town into Valley suburb.

Through March 30: “Quiet Spirit, Skillful Hand: The Graphic Work of Clare Leighton,” works by the CT artist (1898-1989) who was a leading figure in the revival of the art of wood engraving in early 20th Century.

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

Through Feb 19: “Inside Out,” watercolors by Rosemary Benivegna & oils by Souby Boski.

Morrison Gallery, 5 Maple St, Kent; 860-927-4501.

Through Feb 28: “Four Giants,” works on paper by Hans Hofmann, oils & pastels by Wolf Kahn, oils & acrylics by Cleve Gray and steel & stone sculpture by Jonathan Prince.

Rockwell Art and Framing, 470 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield; 203-894-8000.

Through Jan 21: “The Guild Group,” collaborative effort between Rockwell Gallery of Ridgefield & Ridgefield Guild of Artist Satellite Gallery Program offers works in various media incl acrylic & oil, ink, watercolor, gouache, monotype printing & torn paper by Randy Carboni,  Kim Hanna, Paola Lazzaro, Cindi Mullins, Paula Renee & Rachel Volpone.

 

Auditions, Juried Events ________

Clear The Clutter Tailgate Tag Sale, at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, Newtown; 203-426-1035.

March 26: Deadline to register in advance for tag sale being organized by Newtown Woman’s Club Inc., to run 8 am-4 pm, parking spaces to be used as space markers, $25/adv fee, $35/day of (cash only), residents & organizations invited to clean closets, basements, attics, etc & sell off whatever they can, unsold items must leave w/ vendors at end of day (nothing to be left on school grounds), proceeds to benefit club’s philanthropic efforts, mail checks w/ note of vehicle size (up to small SUV can use one space; large SUVs, vans & trucks will need to reserve 2 spaces) & license plate to Newtown Woman’s Club GFWC Inc, PO Box 101, Newtown CT 06470, contact Anna Wiedemann at above phone # for details & addt’l info.

CT Choral Society, South Britain Congregational Church Parish Hall, Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd, South Britain; 203-206-7186.

Singers in all voices invited to audition for 30th anniv spring season (by appt only), season to incl April 10 benefit concert in Danbury, May 21-22 performances in Newtown & Naugatuck (respectively), auditions continue all month, rehearsals each Mon 7:30 pm, group led again this season by Conductor Eric Dale Knapp, visit CTChoralSociety.org or call phone # above to set audition appt.

Waterbury Chorale, rehearsals at United Methodist Church of Watertown, 305 Main St (Rte 63 at Rte 6), Watertown; 860-567-5721.

 Singers w/ experience in choral singing, high school age & up, invited to join as guest members for spring concert (to be May 1 in Naugatuck), rehearsals Mon 7-9:30 pm, spring concert to incl Gloria by Mark Hayes, excerpts from Mozart’s Requiem in D minor(K 626), and Karl Jenkins’s Requiem (2005), visit WaterburyChorale.org or call Peggy Sullivan at above # for details.

Concerts, Musical Events       ______

Jan 23: “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice and other magical works,” Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39 Danbury, 3 pm, free family concert by Danbury Symphony Orchestra will incl special guests Danbury High School String Players, also McKenna Mase (winter, 2010 Danbury Music Centre Student Concerto Competition) & Candlewood Children’s Choir, program to incl Sorcerer’s Apprentice, music from The Snowman, “Muppet Medley,” et al; 203-748-1716.

Jan 23: Satisfaction: The Rolling Stones Tribute Band at Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport, 5:30 pm, $33.50; 203-576-1636.

Jan 27: “Celebrate Mozart’s Birthday,” Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47), Washing-ton Green, 6:30 pm, free, evening of lively classical music performed by Sandy Kleisner & Friends (pianist Sandy Kleisner, cellist Franz Ryerson & violinist Seth Urichek) featuring select works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, registration recommended; 860-868-7586.

Jan 29: Monthly Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4040 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, $17, singles & couples welcome, dance lesson at 8 (led by teachers from Fred Astaire Studio, Orange), performance at 9:30 by “America’s Got Talent” finalists & US National Jr reigning champs Anna Kaczmarski & Patryk Ploszak; 203-374-7308.

Jan 30: Doug Hartline & Friends at Long Ridge United Methodist Church, 201 Long Ridge Rd, Dan-bury, 3 pm, free concert by guitarist & composer Doug Hartline, w/ keyboardist Nick Bariluk, bassist George Skidd & vocalist Ginny Hartline, program to incl traditional music & church hymns played in jazz, folk & country styles, reception to follow, goodwill collection will benefit continued aid to Haiti & Daily Bread Food Pantry; 203-744-2337.

Feb 5: Bethany & Rufus at Flagpole Radio Café, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 7 pm, $18, $15 students & seniors, cello & voice folk-jazz duo will be guest musicians for evening of sketch comedy & other local musicians; 203-364-0898.

Feb 5: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:30 pm, adm $4 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see listing under Miscellaneous), $5 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, light refreshments; 203-426-9998.

For Kids & Families _____________

Jan 22: Housatonic Valley Waldorf School Open House, at the school, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, 10 am, prospective parents and students invited to meet faculty, tour building; 203-364-1113.

Jan 22: Madeline and The Bad Hat at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield, 11 am & 2 pm, $15, original musical based on the children’s book by Ludwig Bemelmans; 203-438-5795.

Jan 30: Open House at Chase Collegiate School, 565 Chase Pkwy, Newtown, Q&A session at 1, guided tour follow until 3, families invited to learn about academic programs, application procedures, tour campus & meet faculty, students & parents of pre-K-grade 12 independent day school; 203-236-9560.

Feb 4: Ice Skating Party, Dickinson Park Pavilion, Elm Dr, Newtown, 6:30-9:30 pm, all ages invited to Parks & Rec sponsored event with music provided by DJ Kevin Koschel, hot chocolate & coffee, small bonfire, registration requested; 203-270-4340.

Feb 5: Mid-Winter Dance, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 6-10 pm, $10 ($30/family), hot dogs, popcorn & other light refreshments incl homemade desserts, 60s era theme, music by DJ selections, silent auction, costumes encouraged, proceeds to benefit Friends of Autistic People’s Farm Project; 203-426-9024.

Miscellaneous  __________________

Jan 22: “Gardening with the Birds,” Wild Birds Unlimited, 317 Federal Rd/Rte 7, Brookfield, 1 pm, free program by gardener & writer Colleen Plimpton on growing the easiest, most productive plant materials to encourage avian visits, registration requested; 203-775-4888.

Jan 27: “JFK50,” Western CT State Univ Haas Library, Osborne St, Danbury, 11 am, free, presentation of JFK inaugural memorabilia & talk about recollections of President Kennedy by former Danbury Mayor James E. Dyer, followed by talk on JFK’s influence on the country by WCSU Prof Marcy May; 203-834-8486.

Jan 29: “Develop Your Chops: Piano,” Julie’s Piano Workshop, 111 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 1:30-2:30 & 2:45-3:45 pm, free workshops to learn easy ways to improvise on the piano, even for first-timers, also short open mic session, registration requested; 203-426-7924.

Jan 31: Beer Tasting Event, Greenwoods Grille & Ale House, 186 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 7-10 pm, $20, $35/couple, 3 beers or glass of wine, hors d’oeuvres, presented by Bethel Education Foundation; 203-791-0408.

Feb 5: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, $9 adults, $8 seniors, $3.50 children, optional coffee house w/ live music follows (see listing under Concerts); 203-426-9998.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

Jan 26, “The Ropes of Life” Book Group, 7:30 pm, discussion led by Julie Stern concerning E.M. Forster’s Howard’s End; Feb 7, Non-Fiction Book Discussion Group, 1 pm, discussion of Cyber War by Richard Clarke, new-comers welcome.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-2475.

(FILM) Jan 21-27: The Town (R), Fri-Sat 7 & 9:15 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Jan 22, Winter Survival Walk, 12:30 pm, $8 ($6 IAIS members), $4 kids, join primitive skills practitioner Jamie Leffler for 2-hour outdoor program searching for signs of wildlife & learning basic winter survival strategies.

Newtown Chess Club, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

Weekly games, Sat 1-5 pm, drop-in chess open to all skill levels, sets & boards provided, hosted by US Chess Federation expert Glenn Budzinski.

Newtown Hikers. Call 203-788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 203-270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 10 am (winter start time), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Jan 22, Bent of the River Audubon Center, South Britain (Lynn Mavela, 203-264-7828 or 989-529-6914); Jan 29, bridal trail, Route 188, Oxford (Louann Chevalier, 203-426-2072).

Newtown Toastmasters, Town Hall South Parks & Recreation Conference Room, 3 Main St, Newtown; 203-313-5507.

Local chapter (NewtownToastmasters.FreeToastHost.cc) of nat’l/international organization meets 1st & 3rd Wed/month, guests & newcomers welcome: next meeting, Feb 2.

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level, use rear parking lot), 45 Main Street, Newtown; 203-270-4377.

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; 800-368-8954 (reservations line open Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm).

Seasonal: Observation area open to March 16 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required (reservations line now open).

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-6224 (ask for Betty) or 203-264-3728 (ask for Krista).

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6:30-7:30 pm (weigh-ins 5:45-6:15, meetings 6:30-7:30), meetings $2/week, membership $24/year.

Theatre     _________________________

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

The Old Masters, through Feb 13, contact theater for curtain & ticket details.

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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 Enjoy must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to Associate Editor Shannon Hicks, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com.