Antiques Shows______

Feb 24-26: 36th Annual Darien Antiques Show, First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Rd, Darien, Fri 7-9 pm (preview party, tickets $50), Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11:30 am-5 pm, adm $8, 30+ dealers, proceeds to benefit church’s outreach efforts; 203-655-0491.

Feb 25-26: Orange Historical Society Antiques Show, High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Rd, Orange, Sat-Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $4.50; 203-765-6465.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-4519.

Through March 12: “Karkhana: A Contemporary Collaboration,” works by 6 contemporary Pakistani artists – Aisha Khalid, Hasnat Mehmood, Muhammad Imran Qureshi, Nusra Latif Qureshi, Talha Rathore & Saira Wasim.

Through March 12: “Todd Hebert: 2005 Aldrich Emerging Artist Award Recipient.”

Through March 12: “Cyrilla Mozenter: More saints seen,” series of small-scale vessels made primarily from cream-colored felt.

Through March 12: “John Giglio: BlowHomes – A Main Street Sculpture Project,” site-specific soft sculpture is inflatable one-third scale replica of Victorian house that serves as front of Aldrich.

Through May 14: “Catherine Opie – The 2004 Larry Aldrich Award Winner: 1999 & In and Around Home,” images by the Los Angeles-based photographer offering tender portraits of her family plus sweeping landscapes of her 1999 road trip offering unique perspective on life in contemporary America.

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 28: “Images of Nature,” photographs by Art Anderson, Bob Berthier & Frank Gardner.

In first floor display cases —  *(new show) Through March 31: “North American Animals,” carved wooden animals by Newtown resident Wayne Smith, painted by Carol Smith, incl foxes, moose, wolves, cougars, bears, skunks, coyotes, squirrel, rabbit & lynx.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield. Call 775-4526.

Through March 26: “Bend-Twist-Wrap: Contemporary Work in Wire,” new sculpture by artists from across the country.

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

Through March 5: “Animals in Winter: Survival at Zero Degrees,” exploration of how animals deal w/ winter & cold is explored through 50+ specimens from museum’s animal mount collections, also touchable fur & hands-on activities for all ages.

Through April 23: “Ben Franklin’s Curious Mind,” original art & artifacts, also hands-on interactive displays based on Franklin’s inventions & achievements celebrate 300th birthday of one of country’s most dynamic, inventive & distinguished citizens; Feb 26, Family Day: Celebrating Ben Franklin, 1-4 pm, hands-on activities for all ages, demos incl Daniel Rosenberg & His Exploding Thunder House, also performance The Courage to Dream: The Amazing Life of Ben Franklin (at 3 pm, suitable for 1st grade & up), also free adm for anyone named Franklin (ID required).

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

Through Feb 18: “Bridgeport: Past, Present & Future,” city will be the major theme of first exhibit of the year w/ works showing & by artists new & established to the city incl Eric Coleman, Doris B. Giammatteo, Suzanne Kachmar, Phil Levine, Andy Pinto, Nathaniel W. Plotkin, Rab Thornton, Lou Trapasso & Mary Witkowski.

Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury. Call 743-5200.

Through Feb: “Danbury: Floods of 1955,” 50th anniv commemorative exhibit depicting flooding of 1955 & changing face of city’s Main St as flood recovery necessitated demolition & replacement of key areas.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Call 778-8337.

Permanent exhibitions on railroad history (museum is along old New Haven RR line & housed in former Danbury station & railyard), also original & restored rolling stock incl a New Haven RR Mack FCD railbus, Alco RS-1 diesel locomotive, fully operating turntable, etc. (see Misc calendar for ongoing programs schedule)

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

*(new show) Feb 25-April 4: “American Photography,” 40+ photos by Larry Roberg taken in CT, MA, CA & Fl in color & black & white, highlighting some of Mr Roberg’s dramatic landscape & scenic photography; Feb 25, opening reception, 12-3 pm.

Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Call 203-577-2181.

Through April 16: “Big Boys & Little Treasures,” new series of paintings by self-taught artist Kiki Michalek depicting classic trucks, also hand painted cigar boxes BY Ms Michalek featuring classic trucks.

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

Through March 6: “Poetry in Color,” abstract oils on paper & canvas by Anne Hebebrand.

Housatonic Museum of Art/Burt Chernow Galleries at Housatonic Community College, 90 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5:30 pm (until 7 on Thurs), Sat 9 am-3 pm, Sunday 12-4 pm. Call 203-332-5000.

Through March 10: “Rebecca Thompson: Solo,” works by Ms Thompson, winner of the 2005 HMA Annual Open Juried Art Show.

Through March 10: “Martha Cooper: Hip Hop Files,” photographs by Ms Cooper.

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

Through March 31: “The Hopkins Archaeological Site,” artifacts from one of the first prehistoric sites documented in Litchfield County, which indicate site was seasonal camp regularly used for thousands of years, ca 10,000-7,000 BC.

Through March 31: “Bear Dancers,” original Native American-inspired watercolors & prints by Connecticut artist & New York City native Joan La Rocca, whose inspiration comes from nature, the American Southwest & Native American spirituality.

Through March 31: “Southwestern Indian Pottery,” pottery spanning more than 1,000 years of Southwestern pottery development, focusing on Tewa & Keresan speaking peoples of Pueblo communities of presented New Mexico & Arizona.

Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Sat-Sun 12-4 pm. Call 860-927-3989.

*(new show) March 4-12: “11th Annual Secondary Student Art Show,” works by students in 25 regional public & private secondary schools; March 4, opening reception & awards ceremony, 2-4 pm.

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 May 31: “Shrines,” gouache paintings by the CT-based artist Mary Billingsley, using dolls & handmade props, small architectural structures & houses to illustrate the life of Christ.

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

Through March 20: “Connecticut Seen/Connecticut Scene,” paintings from CT’s premier mid-size museums incl Mattatuck, New Britain Museum of American Art, Florence Griswold Museum, Lyman Allyn Museum & Bruce Museum explores the evolving view of nature in 19th Century CT.

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.”

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

Through Sept 6: “Dinosaur Island,” seven life-like robotic dinosaurs incl double-crested Dilophosaurus, Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Ankylosaurus, et al (for younger visitors, sound is turned off even Sat-Sun 10-11 am), also message about conservation & extinction, plus simulated adventure ride “Dino Island II 3-D: Escape from Dino Island” (addt’l charge, riders must be at least 36” tall).

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 March 18: “Continuum,” recent oil paintings & collages by Kezia Hearn, reflecting the great variety of plant forms the artist finds in her garden.

Moose Hill Gallery, 451 Moose Hill Rd, Monroe. Hours vary; call for schedule. Call 261-5578.

Through Feb 28: “Art from The Heart,” original works in oil, pottery, sculpture, photography & more by members of For Art Sake.

Northwest Corner Artisans (in Backcountry Outfitters complex), 8 Old Barn Rd, Kent. Hours: daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-927-3069.

Through Feb 28: “Not So Wild & Wooly,” myriad fine art & craft of animal friends incl works by Heidi Kelly (stained glass), Betty Ann Medeiros (watercolors & tiles), Marian Meigs (cut paper), Hank Meirowitz (donkey photography), Near North (Adirondack animals), Joan Palmer (watercolors), Karin Smith (photography), Elissa Weil (animals painted on barn wood) & Patricia Wilson (silver jewelry from impressions of horses’ teeth).

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, Sherman. Call 860-354-2455.

Through Feb 26: “Faces and Places: photographs by Sam Lamhut & Art von Plachecki.”

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

Through April 9: “Restored To Life: Benjamin West’s ‘The Raising of Lazarus,’” presentation of major acquisition, which was commissioned as an altarpiece for England’s Winchester Cathedral in 1780, & complete timeline of its recent restoration.

Through April 30: “Rodin: A Magnificent Obsession, Sculpture from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation,” traveling exhibition of 62 bronzes drawn from one of world’s most comprehensive collections is first major exhibition in CT of works by the French master, ranging from earliest bust of his father to later studies of dancing figures, also features his most famous sculpture, “The Thinker.”

Walsh Art Gallery at Quick Center, Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-254-4000 x2969.

Through March 4: works by Faith Ringgold incl brilliantly colored story quilts, oils, prints, tankas, works on paper, solft sculpture & 11 orig children’s book illustrations.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Call 860-868-2878.

Through Feb 26: works in collage by Flavia Bacarella, drawings by Bonner Cabot & assemblages by Mary Hawvermale.

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

Through April 23: “London: John Virtue,” approx 80 recent works by Mr Virtue, done during 2003-05, while he was assoc artist of The National Gallery, London, in which he focused on buildings, their relationships between structures & the overall topography of London; Feb 18, exhibition tour, free, noon; Feb 19, “London’s River: The Thames in verse and prose,” 2 pm, free “verbal tapestry” from sev centuries of description of the city’s oldest thoroughfare, readings by members of Yale’s English Dept; Feb 21, “Art in Context: Venue No. 2,” 12:30 pm, free lecture by Gary Haller, meet in Entrance Court of Jonathan Edwards College, call for directions; Feb 25, exhibition tour, noon, free.

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.

Through spring: “Private Faces of Public People: 1750-1900,” 29 portrait miniatures of notable Americans incl George Washington taken soon after his election as President & Capt James Lawrence, War or 1812 naval hero & commander of Chesapeake.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Sons of Portugal Marching Band, Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 942-9303.

Openings for trumpet players in senior band, must have at least 4 yrs experience, rehearsals are Sun mornings 10 am-noon at cultural center, band performs in parades & concerts all year, plays current American standards to Portuguese marches, call for details.

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

Feb 20-21: Auditions for Lobby Hero, 7-9 pm, director Sonnie Osborne is seeking multi-racial cast of 3 men & 1 woman, all ages 20-40, for Kenneth Lonergan’s modern morality tale, readings will be from script, professionals & amateurs welcome, rehearsals to begin in March (usu Mon-Fri eves), performances will be weekends April 28-May 14, visit TheatreWorks.us for cast breakdown & other details.

Town Players of Newtown, The Little Theatre, Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 426-9850.

Feb 19-20: Auditions for Michael Frayn’s Noises Off, Sun 2-4 pm, Mon 7-9 pm, roles for 5 males & 4 females, all ages 20-60, production will run weekends in May, also backstage & tech crew members needed.ends in May, also backstage & tech crew members needed.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Feb 24-March 12: Broadway Bound at Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, tickets $35 adults, $25 students, performances Fri-Sat 5:30 (reception, then dinner at 6 & show at 8), Sun 12:30 pm (reception, dinner at 1, show at 3), revue of some of Broadway’s best musicals follows buffet dinner; 470-7528.

Feb 25: Danbury Contra Dance at Western CT State University’s Williams Gymnasium, Osborne St (midtown campus), Danbury, dance lesson 7 pm, dancing begins 7:30, adm $8 ($5 WCSU students), caller Christine Hale will lead dances, w/ live music by The Reel Thing, singles & couples welcome, new dancers always welcome; 262-8411 (betw 12-8 pm).

Feb 25: Ballroom Dance, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, adm $15 (incl lesson at 8 & snacks), dancing from 7 pm-midnight, performance by World Champion Latin finalists Dmitri & Svetlana Ostashkin (9:30 pm), singles & couples welcome; 203-374-7308.

Feb 25: Hot Cat Jazz Band concert, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, adm $12 adults, $10 seniors, free ages 6 & under, performance by Ross Tucker and his jazz band will incl swing, big band jazz & classic rock music with vocals; 426-9024, 426-3496.

Feb 26: “The Whole World In Her Hands — A Great Singer’s Life in Song,” Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, performances at 2 & 5 pm, tickets $15/adv, $20/door, celebration of Marian Anderson performed by soprano Awet Andemicael will incl folk & art songs from Russia, Germany, Scandanavia & the US, also some of Miss Anderson’s signature spirituals; 746-2694.

March 4: 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.

Ives Concert Hall at Western CT State University, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Feb 24, WCSU Jazz Orchestra, 8 pm, free.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Feb 18, The Bacon Brothers, 8 pm, tickets $65 & $70.

Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra, at East Ridge Middle School, 10 East Ridge Rd, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-3889.

March 5, RSYO Spring Concert, 4 pm, tickets $10-$15, call for program details.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-574-4283.

Concerts at Naugatuck Valley College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 3 pm, tickets: $25-$40 adults, $5 students: March 5, Faure’s Suite from Pelease et Melisande, Walton’s Concerto for Violincello (feat cellist Christopher Pegis) & Sibelius’ Symphony #5.

Films _________________

Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 748-3355 (United Jewish Center).

Fourth Annual Free Film Festival, presented by the Robert S. Young Foundation of the United Jewish Center, free: Feb 19, Imaginary Witness: Hollywood and the Holocaust, noon.

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

Alliance Française Cinémathèque series, free, screenings 2 pm: Feb 26, Gigi.

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

Feb 17-23: Harry Potter & The Goblet of Fire (PG-13), daily 7 pm, mat Fri, Sun-Thurs 1 pm.

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

Through June 15: Bugs!, Mon-Fri 11 am, 1, 2 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 1 & 3 pm; also double feature Fri-Sat 7 pm.

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

Lost & Found Film Series, 7:30 pm screenings followed by guest speakers for Q&A, tickets $15 adults, $10 seniors, $7.59 students: Feb 17, Murder in The First, w/ film’s director Marc Rocco as guest speaker, Q&A to be hosted by Morton Dean & Ira Joe Fisher.

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

10th Annual Festival of African Films, screenings Wed at noon, Fri 7 pm, free: Feb 22 & 24, Ndeysaan (Oh, Life!), in Lébou & Wolof w/ subtitles.

For Kids & Families _________

Feb 18: Oz by The Newington Children’s Theatre Company, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 3 pm, adm $5; 270-4285.

Feb 21: “Just For Kids,” The Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 9 am-noon, $8 for museum members, $10 non-members, hands-on workshops for ages 6-11 w/ artist Beatriz Beckford will incl exploration of various media & viewing of museum’s current shows for inspiration, workshop also being offered Feb 22, registration requested; 203-753-0381 x10.

Feb 22: “Just For Kids” at Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 9 am-noon, $8 members, $10 non-members, see details under Feb 21; 203-753-0381 x10.

Feb 23: Beach Party Story Time at Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at corner of West St), Danbury, 6:30 pm, free one-hour program for ages 3-7 & parents/guardians will incl Beach Boys music, sunny stories & seashell craft, bring sunglasses, beach towel & smiles; 797-4528.

Feb 26: Family Day: Celebrating Ben Franklin, at The Bruce Museum, One Museum Dr, Greenwich, 1-4 pm, adm $7 adults, $5 seniors & students, free ages 5 & under, hands-on activities for all ages, demos incl Daniel Rosenberg & His Exploding Thunder House, also performance The Courage to Dream: The Amazing Life of Ben Franklin (at 3 pm, suitable for 1st grade & up), also free adm for anyone named Franklin (ID required), all in conjunction w/ current exhibition “Ben Franklin’s Curious Mind”; 203-869-0376.

March 2: Wings To Fly: Mother-Daughter Book Discussion, Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West St), Danbury, 6:30 pm, free (registration required), one-hour discussion for girls in 2nd-4th grade & their mother (or other adult) concerning Keep The Lights Burning, Abbie by Peter & Connie Roop, discussions also planned for March 16 & 30, April 6 (diff titles, call library for details); 797-4528.

March 5: Concert by Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra at East Ridge Middle School, 10 East Ridge Rd, Ridgefield, 4 pm, tickets $10-$15, call for program details; 203-438-3889.

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

Goldilocks, through Feb 26, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, all seats $12.50; also (Sat) Feb 4 at 9:30 am; no 2:30 show (Sun) Feb 12.

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

Feb 20, Winter Fun, 11 am-3 pm, $4 (museum adm) all ages invited to play traditional Native American games, create kid-friendly crafts, listen to stories, explore new Children’s Activity Room & more.

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

Feb 25, The Russian American Kids Circus, shows at 2 & 6 pm, tickets $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students & children.

Miscellaneous ___________

Feb 18: Indoor Flea Market, The Church of the Good Shepherd, 680 Racebrook Rd, Orange, 8 am-2 pm; 203-934-4446.

Feb 18: Café Conversation with Alliance Française of Northwestern CT, Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 10 am-noon, free & open to French speakers of all levels, AFNWCT members will offer conversation topics, BYO beverages & breakfast snacks, call if bad weather; 203-266-5588.

Feb 18: “An Evening with Two African-American Cartoonists,” Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 7 pm, adm $5, Black History Month event will include presentation by Jerry Craft about his comic strip “Mama’s Boyz” & presentation by Joe Young, Jr incl scenes from his latest animated feature; 203-596-8612.

Feb 18: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party at Colonial Tavern, Hawley Rd (off Rte 67), Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $17 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), dress to impress (no jeans); 203-468-1144.

Feb 20: Housatonic Valley group/The Sierra Club meeting, at Brookfield Community Center, 100 Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 7:30 pm, free & open to non-members, screening of The End of Suburbia: Oil Depletion and The Collapse of The American Dream; 775-9644.

Feb 21: Art slide lecture: Natalie Charkow Hollander, Western CT State Univ White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 11 am, free, sculptor Charkow Hollander will discuss her work; 837-8881.

Feb 21: “The Impact of Technology on Global Commerce,” Western CT State Univ White Hall Room 209, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 5:25 pm, free, WCSU President James W. Schmotte will offer public lecture during a political science class; 860-210-2146 x129.

Feb 22: “Leaves, Stone Walls & Landscapes: Studies in Long-Term Ecology in Western Connecticut,” Western CT State Univ Science Building Room 219, Osborne St at Roach Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, free lecture by Dr Mitch Wagener (WCSU assoc professor, biological & environmental sciences); 837-8793.

Feb 25: Old-Fashioned Ham & Bean Dinner, Jesse Lee United Methodist Church, 25 Flat Rock Rd, Easton, 5:30-7 pm, $8 adults, $5 ages 12 & under, traditional dinner will incl honey ham, beans, coleslae, rolls, dessert & beverages, proceeds to benefit church’s community outreach projects; 372-8250.

Feb 25: Telescope Viewing, Western CT State Univ Westside Observatory & Planetarium (westside campus), Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, 6:30 pm, free viewings of Mercury, Saturn, winter sky & early spring sky; 837-8672.

Feb 26: “Digital Cameras: The Basics,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at corner West St), Danbury, 2-4 pm, free presentation by photographer Bill Thebert will incl info on what to look for when purchasing a digital camera, basic steps of downloading & editing photos, & how to email photos; 797-4527.

Feb 27: Fireside Crafts Workshop: Rug Hooking & Binding, Glebe House Museum & The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 10 am-2 pm, $25 plus materials fee, Sharon Mathews will lead hands-on workshop of rug hooking & binding finished work using kits w/ colonial designs, space very limited; 203-263-2855.

Feb 27: Fireside Crafts Workshop: Rug Hooking & Binding, Glebe House Museum & The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 10 am-2 pm, $25 plus materials fee, Sharon Mathews will lead hands-on workshop of rug hooking & binding finished work using kits w/ colonial designs, space very limited; 203-263-2855.

March 2: First Thursday, a Contemporary Cocktail Hour, at The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield, 6:30-8:30 pm, adm $20 incl snacks & tours of exhibitions (cash bar); 203-438-4519.

March 2: Telescope Viewing, Western CT State Univ Westside Observatory & planetarium, Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, 6:30 pm, free viewings of waxing crescent moon, Saturn, winter sky & spring sky; 837-8672.

March 3: CWU World Day of Prayer, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 1 pm, all welcome, worship service presented by Church Women United/Newtown-Bethel will celebrate “Signs of the Times” through prayer, Scripture readings, hymns & presentation by Peace Corps volunteer Laura Hickey; 426-9024, 426-5192.

March 4: 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.

March 4: “Herbal Medicine for Beginners,” Sunrise Herb Farm, Codfish Hill Rd, Bethel, 9:30 am, free program (must mention that you saw listing or press release in The Newtown Bee; registration due by Feb 24) will offer info on benefits of herbs in today’s world via slide shows & handouts; 794-0809.

March 4: Gala Art Auction at Southbury Volunteer Fire Dept Hall, 461 Main St/Rte 6, Southbury, 7 pm, tickets $10, auction of art sponsored by Southbury Jr Women’s Club will benefit charities supported by SJWC; 264-6393.

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

Programs free unless noted: Feb 23, “Warblers, Warblers, Warblers,” refreshments at 7:30, slide program at 8 pm by Dr Phillip Elliott (biologist, Eastern CT State Univ) sharing research on 5 migrant warblers, their behavior & population responses to habitat disturbances, sponsored by Lillinonah Audubon Society; Feb 25, Intermediate Computing, 9 am-noon, $10 (& registration needed), class covers Web issues incl downloading files, saving photos, also time for Q&A; March 4, Basic Computing, 9 am-noon, free (registration needed), hands-on workshop designed for true beginner will focus on keyboard, shortcuts, mouse use & more.

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

Feb 20, Winter Fun, 11 am-3 pm, $4 (museum adm) all ages invited to play traditional Native American games, create kid-friendly crafts, listen to stories, explore new Children’s Activity Room & more; Feb 25, Artifact ID Day, 1-3 pm, included w/ museum adm, bring in artifacts for ID & discussion w/ Dr Lucianne Lavin, IAIS director of research & collections.

Kismet, programs at Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 748-3125, 426-9448.

Dinner programs 4th Sat/month, 7-10 pm, $15 & bring dish to share, RSVP requested: Feb 25, Harvey Cushing will lead discussion on “Growing an Earth-Friendly Garden Using Simple Methods to Make Gardens Easier & Self-Sustaining,” program will be lead-in to organic garden space to be available this summer.

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

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9:30 am (later start during winter season), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Feb 18, Ragged Mountain, New Britain (Dale Rupert, 794-9350); Feb 25, Bennett’s Pond Trails, Ridgefield (Mary Jo Zemitis, 203-263-3683); March 4, Lake Waramaug Pinnacle, New Preston (Mike Cianciolo, 860-355-5896).

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 28 to March 17 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required.

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

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Feb 22, presentation by sculptor Mary Lou Alberetti.

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 $20/year.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury, 9:30 pm, tickets $15 unless noted: Feb 18, headliner Bob Nelson, special guest Peter Pitofsky, tickets $19.50; Feb 25, headliners Bill Campbell & Louis Ramey, opening act by Jack Kearney.

Wednesday Night Poetry, at Molten Java, 102 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 739-0313 (Molten Java).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 requested if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: Feb 22, Lisa Siedlarz; March 1, Amy Holman; March 8, Ira Joe Fisher; March 15, Lou Orfanella; March 22, David Vincenti; March 29, Gabrielle Zane.

Theatre ______________

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

Nunsense A-Men!, through March 12, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $10-$30, discounts for seniors, students & groups, rush tickets ($25) 1 hour before curtain if available.

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

After the Quake (world premiere), Feb 22-March 19, curtain Sun, Tues-Wed 7 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun & Wed 2 pm, Sat 3 pm, tickets $20-$60, student, senior & group discounts available.

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

Lend Me A Tenor, Feb 24-March 24, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (March 5 only) 2 pm, tickets $20 adults, $17 seniors & students; also (Thurs) March 23, 8 pm.

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-757-4676.

Laughter on The 23rd Floor, through March 5, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, call for ticket prices; Feb 24, Dessert Night; March 3, Wine & Martini Night.

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

The Value of Names, through Feb 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $16 adults, $15 seniors & students.

Stamford TheatreWorks, 200 Strawberry Hill Ave (on Sacred Heart campus), Stamford. Call 203-359-4414.

National Pastime, through Feb 19,curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, also Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $21-$34.

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

The Last Five Years, Feb 17-March 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (March 5 only) 2 pm, tickets $20; Feb 23, Pay-What-You-Want Night, 8 pm, name your ticket price.

Wilton Playshop, 15 Lover’s Lane (off Rte 33), Wilton. Call 203-762-7629.

Dinner With Friends, through Feb 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Feb 19 only) 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 students & seniors.

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