Feb 24-25: 23rd Vintage Clothing, Estate & Cotume Jewelry, Vintage Textile Show & Sale, Stratford Nat’l Guard Armory, Armory Rd at Rte 108, Stratford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $5, 75 booths; 914-248-4646.

Feb 24-25: Orange Hist Scty Antiques Show, Amity Jr High School, Ohman Ave, Orange, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $4; 203/795-6465.

Feb 25: 25th Annual Tolland Hist Scty Antiques Show, Tolland High School, Old Cathole Rd, Tolland, 10 am-4 pm (early buying 8:30 am, adm $10), reg adm $5, 70 exhibitors; 860/872-7716.

March 2-4: Mountain Laurel Glass Club, 14th Glass, Pottery & China Show & Sale, Knights of Columbus Hall, 647 North Mountain Rd, Newington, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $3; 860/677-1150.

March 3-4: 27th Edition Cheshire Academy Antiques Show, Rte 10 & 68, Cheshire, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 10:30 am-4 pm, adm $5; 860/342-2540.

March 3-4: 23rd Annual Norwich Spring Antiques Show, Ramada Hotel, Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $4.50 (early buying Sat 10 am, $10).

March 3-4: Greenwich Kiwanis Club Antiques Show, Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-6 pm, adm $6; show phone 203/637-4583.

March 4: Newtown Hist Scty Annual Antiques Show, Edmond Town Hall auditorium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-4 pm, adm $4.

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

*(exhibition date extended) Through April 1, “Life’s A Circus!,” collage paintings by Marilyn Cohen (“paintings” created w/ bits of brightly-colored paper, appear from a distance to be watercolors) celebrating circus families, animal trainers, clowns, daredevels, animals, old-fashioned circuses, etc.

*(exhibition date again extended) Through June 30, “P.T. Barnum Presents The Divine Jenny Lind,” celebration of 150th anniv of the Swedish soprano’s debut North American tour incl artifacts from Barnum’s permanent collection along w/ pcs loaned from other museums, all arranged in 6 vignettes.

Beaux Arts Gallery, Barclay Square/16 Sherman Hill Rd, Woodbury. Hours: M-F 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Call 263-3939.

Through Feb 24, “Water, Land and Sky,” selected works by Laura Evans, Robert Holden, Carey McDougall, Patricia Melvin, Frank Metz, Anda J. Styler, and others.

*(new show) Feb 25-April 15, “Talking Art,” selected works in watercolor, oil, collage, raku, mixed media & acrylics by Stella Bloch, Clare Chapman, Carey McDougall, Frank Metz, Anda Styler, Suzy Taylor and others.

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 12-4:30 pm, Thurs-Sat 12-9 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm. Call 798-2193.

Through March 1, “Come To The Caribbean,” artwork by Deborah Dargaty, Rosemary Slie Mesaric & Jo Ann Simon, who have traveled separately & together to the Caribbean for painting inspiration.

Burnham Library, Rte 133, Bridgewater. Hours: Tues 1-5 pm, Wed 9 am-6 pm, Th 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm. Call 354-6937.

*(new show) March 1-31, abstract paintings by New Fairfield artist Jannie Holze.

The Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203/372-3521.

Through Feb 28, works on paper by Waterbury artist Vanessa K. Bennett-Johnson incl drawings, etchings, linoleum & woodcut prints of human figures & portraits.

Fine Line Art Gallery, Sherman Village, 682 Main St So (above Gepetto’s Toys), Woodbury. Hours: Th-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 266-0110.

Through Feb 25, “Anniversary Show,” 7th anniv celebration w/ fine art, pottery & jewelry by 15 award-winning CT artists.

*(new show) March 1-25, “The Poetry of Painting,” oils,watercolors, pastels & colored pencil works by each of the gallery’s 15 artists depicting a favorite piece of poetry, also new works of pottery & jewelry by gallery members.

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Hours: M-Th 12-7:30 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203/365-7650.

Through Feb, three large-scale sculptures by David Boyajian (“Seed Form IV,” “Blossom Form I” & “Folded Form I”) in SHU’s Outdoor Sculpture Walk.

Gunn Memorial Library & Museum, Wykeham Rd at Rte 47, Washington Green. Hours: (museum) Thurs-Sun 12-4 pm & by appt, (library) Mon & Fri 9:30 am-5 pm, Tues 2-8 pm, Thurs 9:30 am-8 pm, Sat 9:30 am-3 pm. Call 860-868-7586 (library), 860/868-7756 (museum).

*(new show) Feb 24-April 7, “The Connecticut Landscape,” photographs by Lee Rogers; Feb 24, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St, Norwalk. Hours: daily 10 am-6 pm. Call 203/852-0700.

*(new show) “The A-Mazing Sea,” 40 by 65-ft labyrinth explores sounds & behavior of whales, octopuses, sharks, seals, sea turtles & sea lions, Mini-Maze for younger visitors & special soft sculpture area for toddlers.

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

Through Feb 28, show & sale of oils & limited edition prints by Frank Larson primarily depicting VT countryside and dunes & seascapes of Cape Cod.

Thirteen Gallery, 13 Library Place, Danbury. Hours: Tues-Fr 7-10 pm, Sat-Sun 12-4 pm, & by appt. Call 790-6754.

Through Feb 23, “Steven DiGiovanni: New Works,” new paintings by Mr DiGiovanni incl large, realistically rendered oils w/ dramatic lighting & tight composition.

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

Through Feb 26, “The Mystical Arts of Tibet: Mandala, Photography and Dance.” Through Feb 26, photos by Fairfield Univ prof Dr Katherine Schwab highlighting many of Tibet’s important locations.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Washington Depot. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm (closed Wed), Sun 2-5 pm. Call 860/868-2878.

Through Feb 25, “3X — Exposure,” nude self-portrait photographs by Lee Fearnside, photos by commercial photographer Wayne Greene & short films on paper by Patricia Mazza.

Center for the Performing Arts at Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Call 203/374-2777.

Feb 26-27: Auditions for Anything Goes, 7 pm, have 1 uptempo song prepared, bring resume & head shot, tap dancers encouraged, show dates April 20-29, director is Maureen Hamill.

Connecticut Poetry Society, 41 Sunnybrook Bend, Waterbury 06708.

Feb 27: Closing date for 2001 Lynn DeCaro Powtry Competition, open to all high school students in CT (public, private & alternative school programs all eligible), cash prizes, also publication in CT River Review & membership to CT Poetry Scty, send ASAP for complete rules to above address; high school English departments have also been notified of the contest.

Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury 06810. Call 748-1716.

Feb 26: Deadline to request packet of info concerning vacancy for salaried music director/conductor position for Danbury Concert Chorus, letter of application w/ resume due by March 16, DCC is all-volunteer, non-auditioned singers w/ weekly rehearsals Sept-May, contact music centre for details (can also send email to dmc61@juno.com).

Ridgefield Theatre Barn, Halpin La, Ridgefield. Call 203/431-9850.

Feb 25-26: Auditions for spring musical Angels Over Broadway, 7-9 pm, openings for 4 men & 4 women who can sing, act & move, be prepared w/ ballad & uptemp song, also be ready to dance, performance dates will be weekends April 6-28, arrangements by Bradford Blake, director Tom Matson, choreographer Jacki DeRoeck-Garver.

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

March 5-6: Auditions for Martin Sherman’s Bent, need 12 men ages 20-50, all roles available, rehearsals begin late March, performances weekens April 20-May 12, director is Joseph Longo.

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

Feb 25-26: Auditions for Oscar Wilde’s An Ideal Husband, Sun 2-4 pm, Mon 7-9 pm, roles available for 6 men & 6 women, call for details or if inclement weather.

Feb 23-24: “An Evening of Broadway Songs,” Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, 7:30 pm, tickets $10 include entertainment and light refreshments, proceeds will benefit theatre company Musicals at Richter, all ages welcome; 364-3129.

Feb 25: Jacques Thibaud Trio at Edmond Town Hall auditorium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 3 pm, tickets $14, $12 students & seniors, free age 14 & under, performance of award-winning trio will incl works of Beethoven, Dohnanyi & Mozart, reception w/ performers will follow, hosted by Newtown Friends of Music; 426-6470.

Feb 25: The Amelia Piano Trio, Teikyo Post University’s MacDermid Hall, Country Club Rd, Watebrury, 3 pm, tickets $15, violinist Anthea Kreston, cellist Jason Duckles & pianist Jonathan Yakes will perform works of Mozart, Beethoven, Ravel & Mendelssohn in concert sponsored by Greater Waterbury Classic Concerts; 203/754-5590.

Feb 25: Guitarist Timothy Lawler at St Stephen’s Church, 351 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, free adm, program of classical & flamenco works of J.S. Bach, Villa-Lobos & Juan Martin will be performed on an instrument built by Mr Lawler; 203/438-3789.

March 3: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:45 pm, adm $4 (or $3 if staying after Pasta Dinner earlier that evening), bluegrass music & other styles led by Roger Sprung, et al, choice of desserts, soft drinks/coffee; 426-9998.

March 4: Grand Derangement at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 4 pm, tickets $20-$25 adults, $15 age 12 & under, performance by award-winning ensemble of French-Canadian musicians, vocalists & step dancers w/ Acadian, Cajun & Irish styles; 203/438-5795.

March 7: Noonday Lenten Concert featuring violinist Eun-Moo Hes & pianist Jung-A-Lee, Golden Hill United Methodist Church, 210 Elm St, Bridgeport, 12:05 pm, free adm to concert w/ works of Handel & Bach, optional luncheion follows ($4/person); 203336-0152.

Acoustic Café, 2926 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203/335-FOLK (3655).

Open mic every Tues, sign ups 7 pm, performances begin at 8; Video Nights Wed & Thurs, 8:30 pm (call for each night’s selection, or just show up).

Feb 23, Anne O’Mera Heaton, Nini Camps & Friends, 9 pm, $10, “the best new voices”; Feb 24, Milk, 9 pm, $5, all-grrl rock band, Christine Havarilla opening.

Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203/576-0263.

Performances 8 pm, tickets $17-$47 w/ student, senior & group discounts, **temporary venue: Univ Bridgeport’s Bernhard Center Mertens Theatre, University at Iranistan Ave: March 10, “In Praise of Youth,” full orchestra w/ guest narrator & 80-member student chorus will debut “Another Way,” orig work created by Bridgeport students of The Roosevelt School, also performance w/ guest conductor J.D. Gerson, a Masuk (Monroe) High School senior & musician.

Ives Concert Hall at WCSU, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Performances 8 pm, free unless otherwise noted: Feb 24, junior recital by pianist Todd Gorski, 7 pm.

Newtown Friends of Music, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $14, $12 seniors/students, free ages 5-14 w/ adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: Feb 25, Jacques Thibaud String Trio, Berlin-based trio will offer unique interpretations of works of Beethoven, Dohnanyi & Mozart.

Next Stop Café, 102 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 730-9940.

Acoustic blues, 7-10 pm, free adm but reservations sugg: Feb 23, slide guitarist Dan Bonis; Feb 24, blues guitarist Mark Nomad, **note: adm $10; Feb 25, Murray The Wheel, Texas blues, rockabilly, rhythm & blues, etc; March 1, acoustic blues duo Walter Lewis (guitar & vocals) & David Anastasia (stand-up bass); March 2, “acoustic guitarist Americana extraordinaire Bob Gasster; March 3, Ian Bennett.

Recorder Society of Connecticut, New Milford-Danbury. Call 860/354-1856.

Playing sessions/membership meetings Sat 10 am-12:30 pm as follows (call for membership details), non-members welcome for one free trial meeting: March 3, at Ives Concert Hall/WCSU midtown campus, 181 White St at Fifth Aves.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, Naugatuck Valley Comm-Tech College Fine Arts Center,  750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury. Music director & conductor Leif Bjaland. 203/Call 574-4283.

Tickets $15-$40, student & senior discounts available (subscriptions available), Sat 8:15 pm, Sun 3 pm: March 3-4, “Celestial Masterworks,” East Coast premiere of David Carlson’s Quantumsymphony, also Holst’s The Planets.

Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 778-2100.

Feb 23-March 1: Chocolat (PG-13), daily 6:50 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:15 & 4 pm; Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (PG-13 w/ subtitles), daily 7:10 & 9:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4:15 pm; O Brother Where Art Thou? (PG-13), daily 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 12:45, 3 & 5:15 pm; Traffic (R), daily 6:40 & 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown. Call 426-2475.

Feb 23-March 1: The Family Man (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri-Sat 1 & 3:45 pm.

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203/438-2282.

Hollister Film Series, free screenings, 1 & 7 pm, preceded by Movie Chat: Feb 27, RKO 281.

Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St So, Southbury. Call 262-0626.

Feb 25, free screening of Hiver ’54 — L’Abbe Pierre, 2 pm, hosted by Alliance Franciase of Northwestern CT.

Univ of Bridgeport Student Center, 244 University Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203/576-2201.

Feb 23-25: UB’s Himilayan Club South Asian Film Festival, free screenings.

Fri — Skin Deep, 1 pm; No One Believes the Professor, 2:40 pm; Pure Chutney, 3:20 pm; Three Women and a Camera, 4:15 pm; Ragi: Kana: Ko Bonga Buru (Buddha Weeps in Jagoda), 6 pm.

Sat — Don’t Pass Me By, 1 pm; Fishers of Men, 1:55 pm; Duhshomoy (A Mother’s Lament), 4:10 pm; Listening To Shadows, 4:50 pm; The Forgotten Army, 6 pm.

Sun — Muktir Kotha (Words of Freedom), 1 pm; Jibon (Life), 2:20pm; Voices of Dissent: A Dance of Passion, 3:30 pm; A Letter of Samten, 4:05 pm; Thin Air, 4:45 pm.

Western CT State University/Student Center, Roberts Ave (midtown campus), Danbury. Call 837-8486.

5th Annual Black History Month Festival of African Films, free: Feb 23, Dakan (“Destiny”), 7:30 pm; Feb 24, La Petite Vendeuse de Solein (“The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun”) and The Language You Cry In: The Story of a Mendo Song double feature, 2 pm; Feb 28, La Petite Vendeuse de Solein (“The Little Girl Who Sold the Sun”) and The Language You Cry In: The Story of a Mendo Song double feature, 1 pm.

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

“British Directors In & On America,” free film series (continues to April 28, call museum for full schedule), screenings 2 pm: Feb 24, Jane Eyre (Robert Stevenson, 1944); March 3, Sweet Smell of Success (Alexander Mackendrick, 1957).

Feb 25: “Circus on A String,” Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free & suitable for all ages, performance by Danbury Symphony Orchestra, guest pianist 10-yr-old Jason Zhang, also Robert Rogers Puppet Company (2nd part of program), doors open 2:15; 748-1716.

March 3: “Wild Songs and Natural Stories,” The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 1 pm, adm $5 adults, $4 seniors & students, $3 ages 4-18, free age 4 & under, stage & recording artist Jay Mankita will perform songs & stories about wild animals, wilderness & the world around us, audience participation encouraged, show incl museum adm; 203/331-1104.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Call 203/438-4519.

Feb 24-25, Papier-Maché Masterpieces: A Two-Part Workshop, Sat 10 am-noon, Sun 12-2 pm (both sessions mandatory), $28, for ages 4-6, viewing of current “Paper” exhibition followed by design, assembly & papier maché of shape,object or animal of choice,then cover w/ color & texture to bring creations to life, smocks & snacks provided, parents welcome to stay.

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203/371-1903.

Feb 26, “Up, Up and Away” school holiday program, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, $16, discover the science behind one of the stories featured in museum’s “Imagination Highway” exhibit.

Museum Magic Hour programs, story-telling & craft programs for ages 2½-5 w/ adult, 10:30-11:30 am, $12/team, reservations, workshop dates & featured books as follows: March 10, Night at the Fair, by Donald Crew.

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

Snow White, through March 4, curtain Sat 12 & 2:30 pm, Sun noon only, tickets $10.50.

Flanders Nature Center, Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Call 263-3711.

Outdoor Rangers, programs for preschoolers, Mon-Tues 12:30-2:30 pm, $15, classes incl crafts, games, songs, stories, puppet shows, music & snack time, topics as follows: Feb 26-27, Maple Syrup.

Feb 24: Disorganized Crime, interactive dinner theatre by New York Dinner Theatre, at The Fireside Inn, 123 Main St So/Rte 25, Newtown, call for start time, $49.95 incl show, dinner & all gratuities; 800/383-6080.

Feb 24: No Kidding! Caribbean Splash Celebration, The Heritage Inn, Heritage Rd, Southbury, $35 (reservations & pre-payment necessary) swimming & cocktails begins 5 pm, Caribbean buffet dinner, after-dinner dancing & limbo contest, hosted by No Kidding! (social club for adults who, for whatever children, do not have children), reservations by Feb 21; 270-1284.

Feb 24: 7th Annual Mattatuck Museum Mardi Gras Party, at former Citytrust Bank building, Grand St, Waterbury, 7:30 am-12:30 am, tickets $25/advance, $30/door, evening of music, food & entertainment in traditional New Orleans/Mardi Gras style, this year’s theme is “Be A Star” (dress like stars & celebrities); 203/753-0381 x10.

Feb 25: CT Poetry Society/Danbury area chapter meeting, O’Neil’s Sandwich & Coffee Bar, P.T. Barnum Square, Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 2-4 pm, free & open to newcomers/non-members, bring copies of work in process for open discussion & sharing, all levels of writers welcome; 790-8073.

Feb 27: Garden Club of Newtown meeting, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1 pm (members’ business meeting begins at noon), free & open to non-members, program by master gardener Cheri Kendall on orchid culture basics, what to look for when buying an orchid, keeping orchids healthy, etc; 270-1108.

Feb 27: Mardi Gras Pancake Supper, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302 (opposite Bethel Food Market), 5-7 pm, $2/person (max $8/family), all are welcome for Shrove Tuesday celebration; 743-1494.

March 1: “The Bat Lady Returns,” The Sierra Club/Housatonic Valley chapter meeting, Newtown Congregational Church House, 41-A Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free (non-members welcome), return appearance & program by Geraldine Griswold Greb-Lasky w/ live bats & stories about them; 723-7208, 775-9644.

March 2: 10th Annual St Joseph School of Brookfield Auction, Candlewood Inn, 506 Candlewood Lake Rd, Brookfield, doors open & entertainment begins 6:30 pm, silent auction, gourmet dinner, live auction, raffles, dancing, proceeds to benefit education programs in & around Brookfield; 775-2957.

March 3: Open House at Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Newtown, begins 10 am, meet teachers & experience classroom & play materials unique to Waldorf education, puppet play for children; 364-1113.

March 3: Monthly Pasta Project Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner w/ choices of sauce, garlic bread, salad, desserts & soft drinks; 426-9998.

March 4: 16th Annual Newtown Historical Society Antiques Show, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-4 pm, adm $4, proceeds benefit historical society’s programs & headquarters upkeep; 426-5937.

March 4: Open House at Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-4 pm, free adm, public is invited to visit the 18th C saltbox that serves as headquarters fro Newtown Hist Scty; 426-5937.

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

Adult Programs: Feb 27, Brown Bag Tour Day, 11 am-1 pm, $3, special tour & lunch discussion w/ fellow art lovers, museum staff & docents, concerning current “Paper” exhibition, bring bag lunch & drink, coffee/tea & dessert provided; March 7 & 14, Take A Closer Look, 10-11:30 am (coffee 9:30), $10, two-session art appreciation class will focus on “Paper” & “Janine Antoni” exhibit,” view cutting edge art w/ informal discussion group, no art background necessary (course is meant to acquant newcomers w/ contemporary art).

Art Buzz, series of artist talks in café setting, 6:30-8 pm, $20 full series, $5 per session, guest artists are incl in current “Paper” exhibition: March 1, Saul Chernick.

Stage A: Poetry, open mic poetry readings w/ musical accompaniment incl dance & orig song also welcomed, Fri 7-9 pm, $5 (incl wine & light refreshments): next program March 2.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Danbury Square, 15 Backus Ave, Danbury. Call 730-2733.

Free programs: Feb 25, book signings w/ Michael Gazsi (Self Care Anywhere and A Doctor in your Suitcase), 3 pm.

Bent of the River Audubon Center, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Free programs, unless noted, reservations requested: Feb 25, winter bird walk, 9 am, look for wintering birds while walking some of center’s trails; Feb 28, “Glaciers and Geology,” 8 am, center manager John Longstreth will lead walk while explaining the unique geology of the area & how it was formed through time.

CT Contacts, New Haven. Call 203/468-1144.

Dances each Fr @Pinecrest Country Club, Rte 110, Shelton, 8 pm-1 am, $13, no jeans/sneakers. Dances Sat @Colonial Tavern, Rte 67, Oxford, 8:30 pm-1 am, $13, no jeans/sneakers, themes as follows: Feb 23, regular dance party.

Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Hours: Mon, Th 9 am-8 pm, Tues 9 am-5 pm, Wed 1-8 pm, Fr-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun (Sept-May) 1-5 pm. Call 797-4505.

Free programs: Feb 24, “The African Countries of Botswana & Zimbabwe,” free one-hour multi-media program suitable by all ages will feature photos by world traveler & Ridgefield resident Bill Krebs, all set to music of The Lion King.

Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave/Rte 34, Derby. Call 203/734-2513.

Feb 24, introductory program for anyone interested in volunteering in CT Amphibian Survey, 3-4:30 pm, free, live specimens, slides & frog song recordings will intoduce participants to statewide volunteer effort to determine status of frogs, toads & salamanders in CT.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897, 270-4340.

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome, bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations as follows (call hike leader if weather doubtful): Feb 24, River Road, New Milford (Nancy Ziegler, 203/732-2618); March 3, Bee Brook/Hidden Valley (Pat Callan, 264-2153).

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 (separate door for thrift shop), shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing & sm home accessories, etc.

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203/438-2282.

Free programs: Feb 25, Poetry Works workshop, 1:30-3:30 pm, free, led by Ira Joe Fisher, writing intensive open to 6 poets; March 1, “Landscaping for Ponds and River Banks” slide lecture & discussion, 7:30-9 pm.

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

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Feb 28, portrait oil painting demo by SCAN president Melody Asbury.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station bldg), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 270-6202 (Michael Seri), 748-2828 (BAJ).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (doors open 7 pm, featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: Feb 28, Jeremy Ward.

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

Blood Brothers, March 2-May 20, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $28-$30, senior discounts on matinees, limited rush & student discounted tickets.

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

Mainstage: Big Love, Feb 28-April 1 (previews to March 1, opening night March 2), curtain Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 4 & 8:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $15-$45, senior discounts & limited rush seats available; no mat March 3; Feb 28, Pay What You Can night; March 1, Theatre 101, 7 pm; Talkback Tuesdays March 13, 20 & 27 (follow performance).

On Stage II: The Mandrake Root (world premiere, performance run extended), through March 18 (production extended), curtain Tues 7 pm, Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $15-$45; Talkback Tuesdays follow Feb 27 & March 6 performances, discussion w/ actors, director or designers focusing on topics of play.

New York Dinner Theatre, at The Fireside Inn, 123 Main St So/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 800/383-6080.

Disorganized Crime, Feb 24, tickets $49.95 incl dinner, interactive dinner theatre & gratuities, call for start time.

Polka Dot Playhouse, 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203/333-3666.

Over the River and Through the Woods, through March 4 (production extended), curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $23-$30.

Parallel Portrait series, performances 8 pm, tickets $30:

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

Italian-American Reconciliation, Feb 23-March 17, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun March 11, 2 pm, tickets $15 adults, $13 students & seniors; Thurs, March 1, Pay-What-You-Can performance, 8 pm.

Page-to-Stage Playreading Series: M. Butterfly, Feb 25, 7 pm, free adm.

Yale Repertory Theatre Co., University Theatre, 222 York St, New Haven. Call 203/432-1234.

The Way of the World, through March 3, curtain Mon 7 pm, Tues-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, tickets $20-$36, discounts for students, seniors & groups; Feb 26, Pay What You Can; March 2, American Sign Language interpreted performance (TDD 800/842-9710).

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Events that appear by date have Newtown events 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 prints; please call for details concerning photo files to be emailed.