Antiques Shows______

Feb 23-24: Orange Historical Society Antiques Show, High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Rd, Orange, 10 am-4 pm, adm $4.50; 203-795-6465.

March 1: Newtown Historical Society Annual Spring Antiques Show & Sale, Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 10 am-4 pm, adm $7, diverse collection of merchandise offered by returning and new dealers, presented by & main fundraiser for historical society; 426-5937.

March 8-9: 34th Annual Spring Antiques Show, Cheshire Academy, 10 Main St, Cheshire, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, free appraisals (Sun only, 1-3 pm); 203-393-0211, 203-907-7801.

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.”

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

Permanent exhibitions: “Come One Come All: The Barnum Festival,” exhibit highlighting the history & significance of the festival as an event & an organization in constant operation since 1949 incl ballgowns, portraits of past Ringmasters, pins, posters & props, photos & other paraphernalia to reflect upon as symbols of community spirit & historical significance the festival has given to city of Bridgeport. “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; “P.T. Barnum: Bethel To Broadway To Bridgeport,” artifacts incl reproduction of Barnum’s Fejee Mermaid, souvenir pc of cake from Tom Thumb’s 1863 wedding & personal items from Barnum family; re-creation of library from Barnum’s first Bridgeport mansion Iranistan; “Baby Bridgeport,” preserved 6’8” 700-lb elephant, 2nd elephant born in captivity & 1st to be preserved; re-creation of drawing room from Harral-Wheeler mansion, considered one of most outstanding examples of Gothic Revival in America, ca 1847; “P.T. Barnum Presents the ‘Divine Jenny’ Lind,” artifacts from American tour of opera star reveals impact of Barnum-Lind collaboration on culture & society & Barnum’s promotional talents; 1,000-sq ft 3/4-inch scale model of five ring circus hand-carved by Meriden resident William Brinley w/ more than 3,000 miniature pcs; “General Tom Thumb,” original furniture, clothing & personal objects belonging to Barnum’s legendary protégé; and Pa-Ib, an Egyptian mummy documented by Egyptian priest as more than 2,500 yrs old.

Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Wed-Sat 1-5 pm. Call 203-367-7917.

Through Feb 29: “Black History Celebration,” photographs by Yves Francois Wilson & Deana Lawson, also slave artifacts collected by Craig Kelly; Feb 15, “Getting Real About Race,” 7:30 pm, presentation by author of Race Manners for the 21st Century: Navigating the Minefield Between Black and White Americans in an Age of Fear; Feb 17, screening of Unforgivable Blackness, 3 pm; Feb 22, Black Power: Now & Then, 7:30 pm, panel discussion featuring former members of Black Panther Party, Craig Kelly (NAACP), Dr Georgia Day (Rainy Faye Bookstore), musician James Moss & youth counselor Kenny Jackson will cover the history of “The Movement” & how Black Power Movement of 60s helped change America forever.

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 Feb 29: “A Quartet of Photographers,” favorite images by award-winning photographers Art Anderson, Bob Berthier, Frank Gardner & Carol Gibson.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 775-4526.

Through March 16: “PMC Decade,” traveling exhibition of 60+ pcs of artist-designed, handmade jewelry made of Precious Metal Clay by nearly 3 dozen of country’s most innovative metalsmiths, showcasing how PMC & its applications have evolved since its introduction 10 yrs ago.

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.

Through April 20: “Robotics,” exploration of the science behind the operation of robots in environment designed for fun, also presentation of fictional robots that inspire the imagination; Feb 19-22, Vacation Workshops, 10:30-11:30 each day, $7/child, grades 1-3 invited to explore exhibition & then work on their own robot projects (Tues, grabbing robot claw; Wed, rolling cup robot; Thurs, NASA Nanorover; Fri, big box robot), reservations required; Feb 24, Robotics for Families, 1-4 pm, fun & educational activities for all incl making robot masks & exploratory gallery hunt through exhibition, also special interactive presentation by James McLurkin (Kid-in-the-Box Consulting & MIT Computer Science-Artificial Intelligence Lab), 3 pm, starting w/ Hollywood robots & progressing to real working robots; Feb 24, Family Movie Night, at Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Ave, 8 pm (doors open 7:40), special free screening of Forbidden Planet.

City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Court, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-5:30 pm, Sat 11 am-4 pm. Call 203-334-7748.

Through March 1: “Bridgeport: Showing Our Colors,” colorful perspectives of the Park City as seen by 30 local artists incl Gibbs College faculty member Andy Pinto.

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. 

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Call 203-365-7650.

Through Feb 28: “Women Of A Certain Age,” works by Dotty Attie, Louise Bourgeois, Ann Chernow, Nancy Spero & Selina Trieff, all depicting or referring to women or the female of a species.

Good News Café & Gallery, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon & Wed-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm, Sun 12-10 pm. Call 203-266-4663.

Through March 10: “Human Nature,” new paintings by Aaron Szymanski, who has been following “movement within to tap into the fundamental, instinctual motivations for his artistic work.”

Through March 10: “Water Moods,” photography by Tom Kretsch, images that capture the natural beauty & sense of peace in landscapes, villages & personal vignettes across the Americas, Europe & Latin America.

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 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.

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.

Mark Twain House & Museum Center, 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford. Call 860-247-0998.

Permanent exhibition: “Twain, Tiffany & Other Treasures: Highlights from the Collection,” 100+ objects incl some of most important pcs in museum’s collection, many never before presented publicly, arranged in 4 thematic sections - “The Work of Louis Comfort Tiffany,” “The Clemens Family in Hartford,” “Sam Clemens/Mark Twain” & “Victoriana.”

Mattatuck Museum Art & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-753-0381.

Through March 23: “Cover Stories: Quilts and Bed Coverings from Regional Collections,” 30-plus quilts, bed coverings & other needlework, most never before displayed, chronicle the lives of Colonial era families, the development of textile production, sewing machine manufacturing & needle & button making, all circa 1770-1900; Feb 23, Connecticut’s Historic Textile Mills: A Bus Tour, 8:30 am-5:30 pm, $90 ($85 museum members), reservations required, narrated by education & program director Jerry Sawyer & quilt historian Sue Reich, visits to Cheney Homestead in Manchester, Windham Mill & Textile Museum in Willimantic, lunch & shopping in Willimantic, mills in Danielson & Killingly, then Ashford studio of Pat Ferguson.

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.

*(new show) Feb 23-March 31: “Michael Chelminski: Recent Work,” oils by Bridgewater resident who has been studying the Main coast for years; Feb 23, opening reception, 2-4 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.

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, Sherman. Hours: Tues-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-354-2455.

Through Feb 29: “Portraits of Home and Beyond,” oils on canvas in impressionist style by Sara Bowman.

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) Feb 23-July 13: “Making A Splash: American Beach Fashions, 1850-1920,” complement to “Impressionists By The Sea” offers original costume items plus period photos & prints to explore fashions worn at American seaside during Victorian & Edwardian eras while exploring the roots of American bathing costumes in reform dress for water cures & private exercise, also exploration of beach as a setting for relaxation, public recreation & the promenading of latest fashions on the boardwalk.

Through April 27: “Martin Luther King, Jr: Life, Times, and Legacy,” reflection on Dr King’s quest for freedom & equality displays imagery from Civil Rights era incl work by contemporary artists (Elizabeth Catlett, Jeff Donaldson, David Driskell, Terrence Hammonds, Wadsworth Jarrell, Gordon Parks, Alexis Peskine, Sheila Pree-Bright, Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar, Moneta Sleet, Travis Somerville, et al) who examine themes of race & injustice in America.

Through May 11: “Impressionists By The Sea,” exploration of the transformation of Normandy & Brittany coasts as depicted by French artists of 19th Century (incl Monet, Renoir & Manet), compared to works of predecessors (Corot, Courbet, Isabey, Jongkind & Whistler) & contemporaries allied w/ Paris Salon (Boudin, Daubigny & Pelouse), all arranged chronologically, also travel books & postcards of the period, **note: exhibition has addt’l $10 adm fee on top of regular museum adm (plus $3 adm added to all admissions April 24-27, during Fine Art & Flowers).

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 Feb 28: drawings & etchings by Colleen Kinsella, painted furniture & mural pcs by Joan Morosani & woodworking & paintings by Edith Read.

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.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Call 203-432-2800.

Through April 27: “Pearls To Pyramids: British Visual Culture and The Levant, 1600-1830,” complement to “The Lure of The East,” exhibition explores the history of British cultural interchange w/ Middle East through trade, tourism, archaeological exploration & military interest; Feb 17, exhibition tour, 2 pm.

Through April 27: “The Lure of the East: British Orientalist Painting, 1830-1925,” approx 90 paintings, prints & drawings that depict sites & subjects that interested British artists, focusing on encounters between 19th Century British artists & the people & places of the Middle East; Feb 16, exhibition tour, noon; Feb 21, exhibition tour, 11 am; Feb 24, exhibition tour, 2 pm.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

*(new show) Feb 12-June 8: “Master Drawings from the Yale University Art Gallery,” approx 85 drawings from gallery’s collection providing survey of European draftsmanship from late 15th to mid 19th Centuries, ranging from early studies in late medieval model book tradition to beginnings of modern art, in all genres, types & mediums from a range of national schools, offering first full exploration of the works in 30+ years.

Through May 4: “Colorful Impressions: The Printmaking Revolution in Eighteenth Century France,” more than 100 images from the most groundbreaking period in the history of color printmaking, organized by National Gallery of Art, many presented in multiple impressions or alongside related drawings; Feb 19, gallery talk, call for start time; also Feb 19, “Selling Color Prints in 18th Century Paris,” 4 pm, lecture by Kristel Smentek (adjunct professor in history of decorative arts & design, Cooper-Hewitt); Feb 26, gallery talk, call for start time.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

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 ____

Feb 16: 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.  

Feb 16: “Musical Arrows to the Heart: Larry Deming & Friends in concert,” Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, free performance by Larry Deming (on violin, viola & bullhorn), who will be joined by Larry Deming String Quartet members Barbara Wiggin (viola) & Mary Costanza (cello), also Carlos Boltes (viola & charango) & 10-year old Amanda Deming, program to incl excerpt from Butterfly Lovers Concerto by Gang & Zhanhao, “Love is a Many Splendid Thing,” “Isn’t It Romantic,” Carmichael’s Stardust & others; 748-1716.

March 1: NUMC Coffee House, 7:45–10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Road, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate Misc listing), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-9998.

March 1: 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.  

Films _________________

Feb 23: Screening of Marian Anderson: A Portrait in Music, Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury, free screening of film that celebrates the life & performances of late Danbury resident whose courage & convictions helped reshape the musical world; 743-5200.

March 22: The Tribal People of the Northeast, The Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, 2 pm, $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children, screening 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.

Alliance Française Cinémathèque series, free, screenings 2 pm:

Independent Film Festival, free, screenings 7:30 pm:

Searching For Shakespeare, free screenings: Feb 20, Ran, 2 pm; Feb 21, Throne of Blood, 2 pm; Feb 22, Scotland PA, 2 pm.

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm & most Monday holidays (call ahead). Call 203-372-3521.

Planetarium shows: One Small Step and Larry – Cat in Space, call museum for screenings schedule.

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

Feb 15-21: The Water Horse (PG), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat-Mon 1 & 4 pm, Tues-Thurs 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.

Western CT State University in Student Center, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury. Call 837-8486.

12th Annual African Film Festival, screenings Wed at noon (unless noted) & Fri 7 pm, free & open to public: Feb 20 & 22, Witches in Exile (2005, in Dagbani & English w/ subtitles).

For Kids & Families _________

Feb 24: 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.

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 22, Yoga For Kids, 10 am, program for ages 4-7 will be led by Newtown resident, instructor & author (YogaBear: Yoga for Youngsters) Karen Pierce.

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

Feb 19, A Mystery Date with Nate the Great, 3:30-4:30 pm, children in grades 2-4 invited to test knowledge of Nate the Great book characters, unscramble a mystery & enjoy refreshments, reservations requested.

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

Feb 16, Kids Craft Day, join IAIS educators for afternoon of arts & crafts, children must be accompanied by an adult (who will be asked to pay regular $5 museum adm): talking sticks at 1 pm ($5/child), beaded necklace w/ stone arrowhead ($3/child), talking sticks ($5/child).

Miscellaneous ___________

Feb 15: Manicotti Dinner & Chocolate Desserts, United Methodist Church of Danbury, 5 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, 5-7 pm, adm $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 ages 12 & under; 746-2262.

Feb 16: Café Conversation, Southbury Library, 100 Poverty Rd, Southbury, 10 am-noon, read & discuss articles about France in French in relaxed atmosphere (or listen to the language), BYO coffee & pastries, presented by Alliance Française of NW CT; 266-5588.

Feb 17: “A World in Turmoil — Can I Still Find Peace?” Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4 pm, free lecture by Roman Kresina hosted by Newtown Christian Fellowship; 203-816-8499.

Feb 18: Sierra Club/Housatonic group meeting, Brookfield Community Center, 100 Pocono Rd, Bridgeport, 7:30 pm, free (nonmembers welcome), screenings of Breathless in LA & Rats to Roses; 775-9644.

Feb 19: Love & Knishes: Charles Atkins MD,  Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus, 444 Main St North, Southbury, lunch at noon, program at 1, suggested donation $8 adults, $5.50 ages 60 & above, reservations requested by Feb 15, freshly prepared lunch will be followed by local author & psychiatrist on “So You Always Wanted To Write”; 267-3177 x105.

Feb 19: “Rehabilitating Connecticut Songbirds,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 7:30 pm, suggested donation $4 adults, $2 students (free for members Naugatuck Valley Audubon Society), slide lecture by Jayne Amico, who has been state & federally permitted rehabilitator of songbirds since 1998, about her work & The Recovery Wing, Inc, also ways to reduce negative features that impact songbirds around homes & localities, plus pointers on birdscaping; 734-2513.

Feb 20: “Black Pioneers: Two Connecticut Clergy who led the way in the fight for Civil Rights,” Litchfield History Museum, 7 South St, Litchfield, 6:30 pm, adm $3, presentation by Christopher L. Webber will concern James W.C. Pennington & Lemuel Haynes, black ministers from his new book, A Year of American Saints, part of Litchfield Historical Society Black History Month programming; 860-567-4501.

Feb 21: MFA Lecture Series: David Cohen, Western CT State Univ White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am, free lecture by Mr Cohen will continue spring series of lectures by leading contemporary fine artists sponsored by school’s Master of Fine Arts program; 837-8881.

Feb 23: Saturday Morning Bird Walk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 9 am, free relaxing walk in search of local birds, all levels of birders welcome, meet in lobby; 734-2513.

Feb 26: Love & Knishes: Too Much Stuff, Too Little Space!,  Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus, 444 Main St North, Southbury, lunch at noon, program at 1, suggested donation $8 adults, $5.50 ages 60 & above, reservations requested by Feb 22, freshly prepared lunch will be followed by presentation by Bonnie Dewkett (The Joyful Organizer), who can offer practical & low cost ways to overcome too little time, money & space; 267-3177 x105.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Free public programs: Feb 19, “Selling on ebay,” 7-9 pm, free presentation by Bruce Preston will incl tips on pricing strategies, image hosting, payment options & more.

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

Programs free unless noted: Feb 17, Evening Book Discussion Group, 7:30 pm, discussion of Girls of Tender Age by Mary Anne Tirrone Smith, newcomers welcome; Feb 26, Searching For Shakespeare: King Lear lecture, 7 pm, Dr Mark Schenker will offer lecture on this month’s featured Shakespeare title.

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.

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

Feb 23, “Making Herbal Remedies,” hands-on workshop, 1-2:30 pm, $20 adults ($15 IAIS members) incl supplies, community herbalist Lupo Connell will show how to make safe & effective herbal remedies incl custom healing teas & winter wellness syrup for cold & flu.

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: Feb 16, Trolley Trail, Woodbury (Leader Ildiko Gramling, 263-0086); Feb 23, rail trail, Monroe – walk, snow shoe or cross country ski, depending on weather (Rita Qubick, 268-4119).

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.

Programs 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Feb 27, watercolor demo by Adele Moros.

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 Marisa’s Ristorante, 6540 Main St, Trumbull (call 459-4225), tickets $10 unless noted, comedy shows start 10 pm, live music starts at 6 (unless noted; no cover charge unless stated): Feb 22, Johnny Rizzo, tickets $17.50.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: Feb 16, Rich Ramirez headlining, opening sets by Mike Dillion & Keith Alberstadt; Feb 23, Rich Vos & Bonnie McFarlane co-headlining, tickets $20, opening set by Jonny Bensen.

Theatre ______________

Feb 17: From Page to Stage: Me Me Me Me!  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 continue w/ eccentric one-man opera by Jed Wolf about an inventor who tries to market his work in an indifferent world; 203-333-3666.

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

On Stage II: Shipwrecked! An Entertainment — The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as told by himself), through March 16, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun, Tues-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sundays 2 pm, call for ticket details.

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

Love Letters, through Feb 23, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $22 adults, $18 seniors & students.

Play readings, new works read by area actors, reservations not needed: Feb 26, Jean Goldsmyth’s 5 Minute Date, reading begins 7:30 (doors open at 7), free but donations accepted for new building fund.

Square One Theatre Company, Stratford Theatre, 2422 Main St, Stratford. Call 203-375-8778.

Rabbit Hole, through Feb 16, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (note: Twilight Matinee 4 pm on Feb 16, no 2 pm show), tickets $18 adults, $17 students & seniors.

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

Tea At Five, through Feb 23 (production extended), curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $20.

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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.9