Art Exhibits____ _____

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury; 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.

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

Through May 15: “Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World,” touring exhibition from The National Guitar Museum will debut in Bridgeport w/ showcase of the unique legacy of the guitar in entertaining, engaging & hands-on experiences.

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

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

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

Through March 28: “Recent Works in Oil & Pastel,” loosely representational landscape paintings by Ariane Luckey.

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.

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.

Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport.

In Beacon Hall: Through Feb 25 (in hallways): “The Shepard Cycle,” suite of prints created by Glenville (CT) artist Nomi Silverman in response to the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard & the trial of the men accused of his murder; Feb 21, panel discussion, 5 pm (Beacon Hall, 3rd floor).

Burt Chernow Galleries/Housatonic Museum of Art, in Lafayette Hall: *(new show) Feb 24-March 25: “It’s For You: Conceptual Art and The Telephone,” response to wide-ranging use of phones in hallways & other areas of campus celebrated through artworks that use the phone as an artistic medium or mediator incl sound pieces, videos & objects that resonate w/ functions, technologies & physicality of the telephone; March 3, opening reception, 5-8 pm.

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 Feb 27: “Traditional Abenaki Beadwork,” beaded bags by Rhonda Besaw, who is of Abenaki descent.

Kent Art Association, The Gallery at KAA, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent; 860-927-3989.

*(new show) Feb 26-March 6: “16th Annual Student Show,” works by students in public & independent secondary schools in northwestern CT & mid-Hudson NY; Feb 26, awards reception, 2 pm; note: gallery will be open only Sat-Sun 12-4 for this exhibition.

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; Feb 24, lecture by architectural historian Rachel Carley, 7 pm, $10 (museum members free), illustrated lecture will trace links between industrial development of Naugatuck Valley & growth of Middlebury.

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.

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.

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.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Feb 18: Cillian & Nial Vallely, with John Doyle in concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St, Newtown, 8 pm, $20, $5 children, traditional Irish music hosted by The Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society; 203-256-8453.

Feb 19: Darryl Gregory & Gwenann Reid Heigham: House Concert & Art Show, 29 Manor Rd, Ridge-field, doors open 6 pm, music begins 7:15, sugg donation $5, potluck dinner to be followed by performance by Mr Gregory, also art studio presentation of works by Ms Reid Higham, reservations requested (incl potluck dinner contribution); 917-297-3113.

Feb 20: “Sing Alleluia,” Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt Pleasant Rd, Newtown, free pre-tour performance by Concordia College-New York Choir will incl premiere of new work by Pastor Gregory Wismar, also works from Lutheran choral tradition, gospel & folk; 203-426-6300.

Feb 25: “Discovered Treasures,” Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 West Whisconier Rd, Brookfield, si-lent auction 7:30 pm, music begins at 8, free performance by pianist & harpsichordist Maxim Vladimiroff (church’s music director), violinist Natalya Shamis, cellist Zakhary Paranyuk, guitarist Jim Hershman & soprano Zoe Vandermeer will incl works of Mozart, Vivaldi, Bellini, et al, donations will be used to support future music programs at the church; 203-775-2624.

Feb 27: Benefit Violin Recital by Zoe Lonsinger, Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, 60-min performance by 5-year old violinist will incl works of Kabalevsky, Beethoven & Bach, donations to benefit Pen-nies For Peace Project of Central Asia Institute; 203-426-2068.

For Kids & Families _________

March 1: The Hundred Dresses play reading, Seven Angels Theatre, Plank Rd, Waterbury, 7 pm, $5, reading of new work by local actors, following script by Mary Hall Surface based on Newbury Honor Book by Eleanor Estes, will be followed by discussion about the play incl bullying & young people, recommended for ages 8 & up; 203-757-4676.

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

Feb 19, Kids’ Day: A Woodland Adventure, 1-2:30 pm, $6, join IAIS educators for afternoon outdoors following woodland animal tracks to find secret treasure, then warm up while roasting marshmallows at outdoor Algonkian village, reservations requested; Feb 22, Kids’ Day: Dancing & Stories, 12:30-2 pm, $8, learn about Native American dances & create your own dance stick, also hear traditional stories, reservations requested.

New Pond Farm, 101 Marchant Road, West Redding; 203-938-2117.

For Ages 6-12, programs 4-5 pm, $10, reservations required: Feb 28, Maple Syrup, tap a sugar maple tree, hang a bucket & then work together to collect sap & bring it to the sugar shed where it is boiled down into maple syrup.

Family Programs: March 5, Winter Astronomy, 6:30 pm, $6/person, $24/max family ($4 & $16 members, respectively), join amateur astronomers for closer look at night sky through telescopes, dress warmly & bring binoculars if poss, reservations requested.

Miscellaneous ___________

Feb 19: Alliance Française of NW CT Café Conversation, The Barn Club, 558 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 10:15 am-12:15 pm, send email to Noelle.Janake@schaeffler.com for conversation details & addt’l info, call if weather questionable; 203-266-5588.

Feb 20: “Reflections on Practice of Daily Meditation,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free program by Danielle Pavan to be followed by group meditation (free instruction for beginners) & chanting for world peace; 203-263-2254.

Feb 22: “Gardens of the Victorian Era,” C.H. Booth Library community room, 25 Main St, Newtown, 1 pm, free slide show by master gardener Marie Hayes will celebrate American gardens of circa 1836-1901, hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown; 203-512-7320.

Feb 23: Poet Elizabeth Alexander at WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, free event will feature the poet who read at President Obama’s inauguration, book signing to follow; 203-837-8486.

Feb 23: “Schizophrenia, Brain Oscillations and Inhibition (or Lack Thereof),” WCSU Science Building Room 219, Osborne St at Dr Roach Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, free lecture by Dr Mark Jackson on current research being done on rats may predict performance in attention tasks & poss developments of new drugs that could treat mental illnesses incl schizophrenia, ADHD & autism in humans; 203-837-8569.

Feb 25: Southern Style Family Dinner, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 5:30-7:30 pm, $10, $8 seniors, $5 children, $25 family max, jambalaya, gumbo, shrimp creole, red beans & rice, cole slaw (baked ziti & mac & cheese also available); 203-743-1494.

Feb 26: 6th Annual Chocolate Carnival, The Heritage Hotel, 522 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 6-10:30 pm, $75, full dinner featuring inspired Creole cuisine w/ dark chocolate & accents of the Caribbean by Executive Chef Carol Byer-Alcorace (New Morning Natural & Organic, Woodbury), also music by The Zydecats, wine from 3 CT vineyards, representatives of 2 chocolatiers & hosted by Connecticut magazine Editor Charles Monagan, proceeds to benefit Bent of the River Audubon Center; 203-264-5098 (reservations & special diet considerations).

March 2: Love & Knishes: Antiques Road Show, The Jewish Federation, 444 Main St North/Rte 6, Southbury, lunch at noon, program follows, suggested donation $9.50, $7.50 seniors, lunch by Jordan Caterers will be followed by Antiques Road Show-style presentation by local antiques expert Wayne Mattox, free verbal appraisals (limit 3/person; photos OK for large items, jewelry w/ precious stones should not be brought in), reservations requested by Feb 28; 203-267-3177 x105.

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

Feb 18, “Babes on Broadway,” 7 pm (snow date Feb 25), evening of song & laughs by Susan Mirwis to incl performances from My Fair Lady, South Pacific, Kiss Me Kate & others, light refreshments (or BYO), reservations strongly encouraged; March 1, Non-Fiction Book Discussion Group, 1 pm, discussion of Cyber War by Richard Clarke and Mamalita by Jessica O’Dwyer; March 1, “Sunset Series: When The Time Comes: The Nuts and Bolts… and Tubes of Advanced Directives,” 7 pm, program by Dr Daniel G. O’Hare (consultant ethicist) & Julia MacMillan, APRN (palliative care coordinator & co-chair, Danbury Hospital Ethics Committee) on the legal documents that al-low one to convey medical decisions about life care ahead of time; March 2, “The Ropes of Life” Book Group, 7:30 pm, discussion led by Julie Stern concerning Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev (new date), newcomers welcome.

New Pond Farm, 101 Marchant Road, West Redding; 203-938-2117.

Evening workshops, 7-8:30 pm: March 3, Honeybees in Your Backyard?, $12 ($10 member), learn the current status of the beneficial insect & what it takes to be a beekeeper at home.

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: Feb 19, Rockefeller Estates, Tarrytown, N.Y. (Nancy Zigler, 203-732-2618); Feb 26, Sherwood Island State Park, Westport (Zina Rosenbaum, 203-743-2442); March 5, Tarrywile Park, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury, Parks & Back Pond Trail (Sally Cox, 203-426-9903).

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 March 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 but reservations absolutely required.

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.

Treehouse Comedy Productions. Call 203-702-7577.

Shows at Savin Rock Roasting Company, 946 Ferry Blvd, Stratford, 9 pm, $15 unless noted: Feb 19, Eddie Clarke headlining, Darren Fillon & EJ Murphy opening; Feb 26, Bob “The Football Guy” Nelson, headlining, special guest TBA.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, at The Garage (Newtown teen center), 53 Church Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 203-426-6242, 203-364-0631.

Open mic 7:30 pm, featured poet at 8:45, poetry editing workshop follows featured poet: Feb 23, Zork and LV; March 2, TBA.

Theatre ______________

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

She Loves You — A Musical Tribute to the Beatles, through Feb 27, curtain Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $39.50.

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

Parade, March 4-April 2, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, $26, $22 students & seniors.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items listed first, with additional events listed by their start time.

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.