Antiques Shows _________________________

Feb 1: 43rd annual Tolland Antiques Show, Tolland Middle School, Old Cathole Rd, Tolland, 10 am-4 pm (early adm 8:30 am, adm $15), regular show adm $5, 65+ exhibitor booths, presented by & benefit for Tolland Historical Society; 860-870-9599.

Feb 8: 16th Annual Antiques & Collectibles Show, Naugatuck High School, 543 Rubber Ave, Naugatuck, 9:30 am-3:30 pm, (no early buying) adm $3, 60+ dealers, sponsored by NHS Music Dept; 203-723-2588.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places ____________________

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield;

203-438-4519.

Through Feb 8: “Peggy Preheim: Little Black Book,” the museum exhibition to fully explore the wide range of Ms Preheim’s very delicate & intensely private work incl 75 drawings, paintings, sculptural objects & photos created between 1984-2007.

Through Feb 14: “The Soul – Journey to America,” huge freestanding paper sculpture (14+ ft tall, approx 650 pounds) by the Korean artist Kwang-Young Chun.

Through Feb 14: “Full Circle: Ten Years of Radius,” anniversary celebration of successful professional artist development program presented by the Aldrich that has jumpstarted many careers will incl work by14 previous Radius artists.

Through Feb 14: “The Silent Echo Chamber,” multiscreen video installation by award-winning comedic actor,writer, musician & radio host Harry Shearer.

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through Jan 31: “Two Generations of Artists,” quilts by the Newtown quilter Mary Eddy (“The Jelly Bean Quilter”) & dry brush paintings by her father, Benjamin Palagonia of Sherman.

In first floor display cases — Through Feb 20: “The Wonderful World of Miniatures,” tiny dioramas from found & purchased objects created by Martha Bishop.

Connecticut Historical Society, One Elizabeth St, Hartford; 860-236-5621.

*(new show) Jan 27, 2009-Jan 27, 2010: “She Shoots… She Scores! Women’s Basketball in Connecticut,” memorabilia & footage from last century tracing the game since inception & correlation between women’s changing social & political roles paralleling game then to now, representing teams incl UConn Huskies, CT Sun, New England Bilzzard, All American Red Heads, et al; Jan 27, opening reception, begins 5:30 pm, opening remarks by CHS director, CT Sun general manager & team mascot, also gallery talk at 7 pm w/ exhibit’s design team (reservations requested for gallery talk, 860-236-5621 x223).

Discovery Museum and Planetarium, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport;

203-372-3521.

Through Jan 25: “How To Make A Monster: The Art and Technology of Animatronics,” secrets behind movie creatures & how they get made incl original concept, storyboard, maquettes & full size sculptures & moldings incl Inspector Gadget, Abominable Snowman, gorillas from George of the Jungle 2, aliens from Pitch Black & others.

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 1: “Nativities of Europe: Folk Art to Fine Art,” approx 90 crèches from across Europe borrowed from 3 American collections as well as 24-ft wide diorama from Naples.

Through Feb 1: “Christmas in Connecticut: Nativities in New Haven, Hamden and Middletown,” Nativities by students from Sacred Heart Academy featuring Hamden’s contemporary landmarks & historic places w/ Holy Family in midst of snow covered diorama, and another by students of Xavier High School, placing birth of Jesus in middle of historic river port city circa 1930s, and third scene depicting Christmas in New Haven circa 1882 w/ Holy Family next to St Mary’s Church.

Mattatuck Museum Art & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury; 203-753-0381.

*(new show) Jan 29-April 12: “Travelers’ Tales: Artists at Home and Abroad,” 65 works by 12 artists from first half of 20th Century exploring architectural & landscapes of sites from Istanbul & Florence to Woodbury, artists incl Taylor Arms, Orr, Roth, Balthazar, et al; Jan 29, opening reception, 5:30 pm.

Through March 22: “Lest We Forget: Images of the Civil Rights Movement,” compelling presentation of work by the late Woodbury artist Robert Templeton, who devoted two-plus decades to creating portraits of those who personified the Civil Rights Movement.

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

Through Feb 23: “Birds From The Hand,” works on paper by Audrey Anastasi & sculpture by Deborah Menzell Dressler.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven;

203-432-5050.

Through Feb 22: “Jungles: Photographs by Frans Lanting,” 45 photos shot over 20-year period by master renowned wildlife photographer Frans Lanting, shot in some of the most mysterious & remote locations on earth, capturing beauty, manic pace, wonder & fragility of the planet’s “forgotten Edens.”

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford; 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

Through Jan 25: “Who Was Anna Tuels? Quilt Stories, 1750-1900,” celebration of quilting’s history from 18th & 19th Centuries in America, featuring famed “Anna Tuels” quilt, believed to be earliest dated American pieced quilt in existence, also items from museum’s permanent collection focusing on history of ownership & what quilting tells us about the lives of women in the past.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot;

860-868-2878.

In Main Galleries: Through Jan 24: “Young Talent,” works by emerging artists incl Anastasia Alexandrin, Nathaniel Cardonsky, Renee Lynn Hartig, Amy Lincoln, Beth Livensperger, Aaron Lubrick, Robert Vanderpool & Aaron Von Seggern.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Grounds are always open dawn through dusk; call for visitor center and gallery hours; 203-761-9945, 203-834-1896.

Through Feb 1: “Preservation And Protection: Conservation of Art at Weir Farm National Historic Site,” 12 recently conserved, historic works on paper from Nat’l Historic Site’s collection by J. Alden Weir, his father Robert Walter Weir, Mahonri Young, & Weir’s daughters Caroline Weir Ely & Dorothy Weir Young, incl large pastel drawing that was study for 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield; 860-567-3163.

*(new show) Jan 24-April 18: first of 3 group shows this year to celebrate gallery’s 15th anniv will feature artists who have had solo exhibitions in gallery since space opened incl Mary Lou Alberetti, Joy Brown, Ann Holmes, the late Leslie James Jacobs, Jack Lardis, Jean Linville, Janet McKenzie, Jeffrey Stark, Missy Stevens & Mary Thompson; Jan 24, opening reception & lecture, 1:30 pm, “Creative Myths & Monsters” presentation by artist & author Julia Cameron.

Auditions, Juried Events _________________

Newtown Choral Society, at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown. Call 426-3769.

Jan 28: Open rehearsal, 7 pm, singers invited to join members of non-audition choir, which has openings in all sections, for consideration of 22nd season.

Playhouse on the Green, 177 State Street, Bridgeport.  Call

Jan 28 & 30: Open auditions for Terrence McNally’s Dedication or The Stuff of Dreams, Wed & Fri 5:30-8:30 pm (sign-in begins at 5), director is Matt Schicker, bring photo & resume of stage experience, prepare one-min contemporary monologue (no Shakespeare or other classical), readings from script of no monologue prepared, all ethnicities encouraged, general rehearsals to be weeknights after 7, weekends beginning Feb 9 during day, performances March 13-29 (Thurs-Sat pm, Sat-Sun mat), non-Equity, no pay, no phone calls, visit PlayhouseOnTheGreen.org for details.

Concerts, Musical Events ______________

Jan 25: Doug Hartline & Friends in concert, Long Ridge United Methodist Church, 193 Long Ridge Rd, Danbury, 3 pm, free adm, performance of traditional music & church hymns played in jazz, folk & country styles by guitarist & composer Doug Hartline, keyboardist Nick Bariluk, bassist George Skidd & special guest Ginny Hartline on vocals, freewill offering will be divided between Daily Bread Food Pantry & Community Action Committee of Danbury (also a food pantry), reception to follow; 744-2337.

Jan 25: “A Concert for Youngsters of All Ages,” Danbury Symphony Orchestra at Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance will incl works of Reinecke (w/ guest flutist Eun Sun Choi) & Gould’s Tap Dance Concerto (w/ gust tap dancer Devin Johnson), also performances by Danbury High School Symphony & Concert Bands; 748-1716 (Danbury Music Centre).

Jan 28: Newtown Choral Society open rehearsal, Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown, 7 pm, singers invited to join members of non-audition choir, which has openings in all sections, for consideration of 22nd season; 426-3769.

Jan 30-31: Grease at Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, curtain Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $14 students & seniors, cast of 72 actors (grade 7-college age) will be accompanied by 6-pc band for full, professional performance by Sabrina’s Encore Productions, LLC; 304-1236.

Jan 31: Tony DeMarco, Ivan Goff & Ryan McGiver in concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, $20 adults, $5 ages 16 & under, Irish music by fiddler DeMarco, All-Ireland Champion uilleann piper Goff & sought-after accompanist McGiver; 203-256-8453.

Jan 31: FairWestProject Benefit Swing Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, doors 7:15, free dance lesson 7:30, music & dancing 9 pm-midnight, adm $20, $15 ages 21 & under w/ ID, live music by Manny & The Mojomatics plus guests, also DJ Bill “Stretch” Gore, organic refreshments available, no smoking or drinking, very beginner friendly, proceeds to benefit WPKN & honor late host Victor Pachera; 203-522-5341.

Feb 1: Double Reed at Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 4 pm, free performance (reservations encouraged) will continue library’s Connecticut’s Own music series; 203-792-3950.

Feb 6: jam for karl, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-11 pm, $29/adv, $33/door, live music incl Spontaneous Combustion, Big Eric & Budget Crunch w/ Chance Brown, Tim DeHuff, et al, light snacks & soft drinks, cash bar available, fundraiser for Newtown resident Karl Schwichtenberg; 748-7110.Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Jan 24, Railroad Earth, $30; Feb 8, Hot 8 Brass Band, $45-$50.

For Kids & Families ______________________

Jan 24: Chinese New Year Festivities, Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury, 1-4 pm, free activities for families & individuals of all ages incl drop-in crafts, performances of The Monkey King, children’s folk dance, tae kwondo, face painting & more; 797-4505 (if bad weather), 796-1631 (info in advance).

Jan 25: Indoor Historic Games, Litchfield History Museum’s Tapping Reeve House, 82 South St, Litchfield, 2-4 pm, $3/individual, $8/family (free for members), play early American games for children & adults incl board games, game rhymes, histories & guessing games, also hot chocolate, cookies & conversation; 860-567-4501.

Jan 30-31: “Guys & Dolls in Concert,” Ridgefield Theater Barn, 31 Halpin La, Ridgefield, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 5 pm, $12, performances by Ridgefield Theater Barn Young Performers Musical Workshop actors, oddball romantic comedy set in Damon Runyon’s NY City soars w/ spirit of Broadway;

203-431-9850.

Feb 1: Family Fun Shows — Danny Magic, performances 1 and 4 pm, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, tickets $5, magic show suitable for all ages, fundraiser presented by Newtown Jr 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: Jan 31, Valentine’s Day Craft, 1 pm, $3 materials fee due at registration (in person registration only), ages 6 & up can join Marie Walker for annual craft workshop; Feb 14, Rapunzel by Purple Rock Productions, 2 pm, free (registration required), puppet play adaptation of classic story recommended for ages 4-9.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Jan 27, Creative Chocolates for Valentine’s Day, 3-5 pm (snow date Feb 3), $6 supply fee payable at program (registration required, however), grades 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for annual program, space limited.

Miscellaneous ___________________________

Jan 23: Dinner & Comedy: Buddy Fitzpatrick & Marion Grodin at the Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, tickets $30 (reservations required), buffet dinner 6:30-8 pm (cash bar), performances begin 8:30, presented by & benefit for Stage Door Productions; 470-7528.

Jan 24: “Blood and Guts: Ground Squirrel Defenses to Rattlesnake Predation,” Western CT State University Science Building Room 219, Osborne St at Dr James Roach Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, free lecture by Fairfield Univ Assistant Prof of Biology & environmental toxicology specialist Dr James Biardi will concern his research into the effects of squirrel evolutionary history & ecological context on defense to venomous predators, continues  2008-09 WCSU Research Seminar Series, reception to follow;

837-8793.

Jan 24-Feb 1: Annual SCAN Color in January Show & Sale, Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 10 am-5 pm, free, annual exhibition of works by members of Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN), painting demos each Sat-Sun at 12:30 (Jan 25, acrylic by Dick McEvoy; Jan 25, acrylic by Anda Styler; Jan 31, oil landscape by Rick Daskam; Feb 1, floral watercolor by Adele Moros), also opening reception Jan 24 2-4 pm;

203-938-3999 (show chair Pam Reese).

Jan 25: Winter Tree Identification seminar, Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury (South Britain), 1:30-3:30 pm, $10 ($7 members) incl copy of Winter Tree Finder Book, begin inside learning how to use book to ID trees, then head outdoors to “key out” common CT trees, reservations requested, program also running Jan 28; 264-5098.

Jan 25: “The Power of Kirtan and Chanting in Creating World Peace,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free program led by Sarita Valentine & Sachin Hazen will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 263-2254.

Jan 27: “Propagation: Make Your Plant Dollars Go Further,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, noon, free program by plant pathologist technician Mary Inman, hosted by Garden Club of Newtown; 994-4849.

Jan 28: Winter Tree Identification seminar, Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury (South Britain), 10 am-noon, $10

($7 members); 264-5098.

Jan 31: Town Meeting: CT Solar Lease Program, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-noon, free presentation to educate homeowners about affordable solar energy options available, light refreshments served; 426-1947.

Jan 31: Bridgeport Nostalgia Walk & Discussion, The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 12-1:30 pm, incl w/ museum adm ($7 adults, $5 college students & seniors, $4 ages 4-17), walking tour through museum’s permanent exhibitions led by Leonard Paoletta, Jeffrey Williams & Anthony Procaccini, discussion & recollections encouraged by participants; 203-331-1104 x102.

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

Films: Feb 7, Under Our Skin: The Lyme Disease Movie, 1 pm, documentary investigates the story of one of the most misunderstood illnesses of our time.

Misc programs, free unless noted: Jan 27, “Propagation: Make Your Plant Dollars Go Further,” noon, free program by plant pathologist technician Mary Inman, hosted by Garden Club of Newtown (call 994-4849 for info); Feb 3, book discussion: Noah Feldman’s The Fall and Rise of the Islamic State, 1 pm; Feb 9, book discussion: Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See, 1 pm; Feb 9, They Called Me Lizzy… from slavery to The White House, 7 pm (registration requested), actress Tammy Denease Richardson will personify Elizabeth Keckly, dressmaker and confidante of Mary Todd Lincoln; Feb 9, book discussion: The Crossings by Cormac McCarthy, 7:30 pm.

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

Free programs unless noted, no registration needed (unless noted): Jan 25, author program w/ Kristen Delfau (The Turbo-Mom’s Guide to Saving Money Without Wasting Time), Q&A to follow.

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

(FILM) Jan 23-26: The Secret Life of Bees (PG-13), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Mon 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm.

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

Jan 24, Winter Walk, 12:30 pm, $8 adults ($6 members), $4 children, join Jamie Leffler for 2-hour program to learn about animals of the area, creating fire from friction & other winter survival skills.

Newtown Chess Club, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 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 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 time), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Jan 24, Flanders Nature Center, Woodbury, easy hike (Ildiko Gramling, 203-263-0086); Jan 31, Seaside Park, Bridgeport, easy hike (Evelyn Schonberg, 426-0425); Feb 7, Rockefeller Park, Tarrytown, N.Y, easy hike (Nancy Ziegler, 203-732-2618).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, New-town. 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 Dec 27 to March 11 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required (reservations line now open).

THEATER

Jan 30-31: Grease at Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, curtain Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $14 students & seniors, cast of 72 actors (grade 7-college age) will be accompanied by 6-pc band for full, professional performance by Sabrina’s Encore Productions, LLC; 304-1236.

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

Coming Home, through Feb 8, curtain Tues-Wed & Sun 7 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed & Sat 2 pm, Sat 3 pm, tickets $32-$62; call for special programming.

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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.