Antiques Shows    __________________

Avancé Esthétiques Day Spa, Sand Hill Plaza, 228 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-8911.

Through Feb 27: watercolors by award-winning artist Susan Holden-Sagona incl still lifes, florals, figure studies & landscapes of New England & Sedona, Ariz.

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

*(new show) March 1-31: “Eyes of March!” drawings by longtime Newtown resident Joan Pollak, see details below; March 4, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

*(new show) Through March 31: “Nothing Exciting Ever Happens in Newtown,” artifacts & photos of the War Maneuvers of 1812, which attracted more than 10,000 spectactors during “battles” between Red Army & Blue Army in town in Aug 1912.

Koenig FrameWorks, 97 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-1887.

Through March 17: “Stone Soup,” works by Judith Secco, Mally DeSomma & Thomas Nackid, diverse artists producing interpretive takes on famed folk art story.

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

*(new show) Feb 25-April 2: “Spring 2012 Collection,” oil paintings by Karen Pepper inspired by years of living in national parks in AZ & HI; Feb 25, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Stone River Grille, 1 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook; 203-270-1200.

Through March 31: “Art About Town,” works by Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN) members Pam Danneman, Adele Moros, Margaret Moss, Glen River & Roberta Shea (non-diners welcome to visit show any time restaurant is open).

Auditions, Juried Events  __________

Newtown Cultural Arts Commission, c/o Koenig FrameWorks, 97 South Main St, Newtown; 203-270-1919.

Through Feb 29: Submissions due for 2012 Newtown Arts Festival promotional artwork for Sept 15-16 event at Fairfield Hills, open to Newtown residents only, must be original & professional quality following “Life In Newtown” theme, work will be used on posters, shirts, tote bags, etc, artists limited to 2 submissions, deliver original work & entry form (available on NCAC’s website) to Koenig FrameWorks, see NCAC website for full details & entry form, contact Donna Mangiafico at above phone # for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events _________

Feb 24: Andrew Mac Namara, Orla Harrington & Ged Foley at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St, Newtown, 8 pm, $20, $5 children, traditional Irish music by trio from East Clare celebrating release of latest album Flagstone Memories, presented by The Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society, reservations strongly recommended; 203-254-1271.

Feb 25: “Darryl Gregory: An Evening of Song and Stories,” Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, Sandy Hook resident will be celebrating the release of his new CD (Big Texas Sky) in a coffeehouse setting, suitable for all ages, light refreshments; 203-426-9070.

Feb 25: Monthly Ballroom Dance, Holy Trinity Greek Church Community Center, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, $17, singles & couples welcome for evening of dancing to DJ selected music, free dance lesson at 8, performance at 9:30 by US National 10-Dance silver medalists Sasha Chernositov & Regina Maziarz, refreshments, reservations suggested; 203-374-7308.

Feb 26: Swing Dancing at Coyote Maverick, 48 Newtown Rd/Rte 6, Danbury, dancing 5-8 pm (free intro lesson 3:45), $10, very beginner friendly event, dancers of all ages & abilities welcome, hard/smooth soled (not rubber) shoes recommended, DJ will provide mix of Western, Jump & Swing Jazz selections, door prizes, cash bar, hosted by Hosted by The FairWestSwing Project; 203-340-0397.

Feb 26: The Chris Coogan Quintet: Live at The Grange, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, doors open at 6:30, $20, $10 kids, music 7-9 pm; 203-454-4695.

March 3: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:30 pm, adm $4 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate listing under Miscellaneous), $5 otherwise, bluegrass and folk music by Roger Sprung & Friends, refreshments available; 203-426-9998.

For Kids & Families _______________

March 3: Free Sample Class, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd, Newtown, 9-11:30 am, parents of children ages 3-6 invited for hands-on program about play-based curriculum, registration required; 203-364-1113, office@waldorfct.org.

 

Miscellaneous _____________________

Feb 25: “Café, Croissants & Conversation: French Influence in the Caribbean,” Woodbury Library, 269 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 10 am, program hosted by The Alliance Française of Northwestern Connecticut (AFNWCT, Inc.) will feature guest speaker Dr Leslie Desmangles (native of Haiti & professor of international relations, Trinity College), first half of program in England, second half in French, reservations requested; 203-263-4096.

Feb 29: Victory Garden Kick-Off Meeting and Garden Lecture, Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose St, Newtown, 3:30-6 pm, programs on permaculture by Sheila Torres (4 pm) & organic gardening by Nick Mancini (4:15), also opportunities to speak w/ organizers & sign up for community garden that will grow food for town’s food pantries again in 2012, new & returning gardeners welcome, reservations requested, deadline to sign up for garden row is March 12; 203-241-0301.

Feb 29: “Family Dynamics: Keeping the Caregiver Healthy,” Masonicare of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, 5:30-7:30 pm, free program (and complimentary light supper at 5:30) will continue series of seminars for individuals and families that will provide information and cover skills needed to care for persons with memory loss, reservations requested, hosted by The Connecticut chapter of Alzheimer’s Association; 888-679-9997.

Feb 29: “How To Prepare For The Planning and Placement Team (PPT) Process,” Newtown High School Lecture Hall, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 7-9 pm, for parents & educators interested in learning about process to identify & determine a special education needs, childcare available, registration required; 800-445-2722.

Feb 29: Love & Knishes: The Glory of Love, Jewish Federation’s social hall, 444 Main St North/Rte 6, Southbury, catered lunch at noon (Jordan Caterers) followed by performance featuring Jeanne Hinkson & Ercole Gaudioso w/ collection of solos & duets made famous by Nat & Natalie Cole, Frank & Nancy Sinatra, Everly Brothers, et al, $9.50, $7.50 age 60 & up, reservations requested by Feb 27; 203-267-3177.

March 3: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Road, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, $9 adults, $8 seniors, $3.50 children, full pasta dinner w/ beverages & homemade desserts, take-out available; 203-426-9998.

March 3: Shared Open House Day: Robotics And Beyond and Village Center for the Arts, 12 Main St (VCA headquarters, on New Milford green) & 11 Railroad St (RR station), New Milford, 10 am-4 pm, free, all ages invited to learn about non-profit organizations dedicated to educational & enrichment opportunities, etc in areas of science, technology, arts & more, for grades K-12, events will offer hands-on activities, class demos, games, refreshments, live music; 860-354-4318 (VCA), 203-788-5971 (Robotics).

March 4: The Last Supper Enactment, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, presentations 2:30 & 5 pm, $10 ($30 family), reenactment of events leading up to DaVinci’s famous painting, with music and drama, by The Immanuel Lutheran Players and Newtown Clergy Association (also being performed in Danbury, March 31-April 1); 203-426-9024.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-2475.

(FILM) Feb 24-March 1: Jack and Jill (PG), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Flagpole Photographers Camera Club; 203-270-0483.

Hands-on workshop, free & open to all levels of photographers, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St (use lower level): March 1, Still Life Photography Workshop, open to photographers of all levels, bring camera for hands-on workshop.

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, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Feb 25, Bent of the River Audubon Center, South Britain (Lynn Vela, 617-335-9678); March 3, Oxford Bridle Trail (Louann Chevalier, 203-426-2072).

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.

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.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, temporary new location: at Molten Java Coffee Roasters, 213 Greenwood Ave, Bethel (coffee house: 203-739-0313).

Open mic 7:30 pm, featured poet at 8:45, poetry editing workshop follows featured poet: March 7, Exotic, Neurotic, Erotic Open Mic Night, doors open at 7, sign-ups begin 7:15.

Theatre ___________________________

Stray Kats Theatre Company, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-514-2221.

Staged readings, 7:30 pm, $25/adv, $30/door, Q&A w/ actors & reception follows: Feb 25, Edward Albee’s Seascape.

TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St, Hartford; 860-527-7838.

Through Feb 26: The Sty of the Blind Pig, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm, tickets $50, $17 student rush: NOTE: no one under 12 allowed into show.

Western CT State University’s Berkshire Theater, Osborne St, Danbury; 203-837-8732.

Feb 29-March 4: Lysistrata, Feb 29-March 4, curtain Wed-Thurs 7 pm (Feb 29 & March 1 only), Fri-Sun 8 pm, call for ticket prices & reservations.

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

EXPANDED CALENDAR ONLINE

Want to know about more regional events? Find an expanded edition of this calendar online at www.NewtownBee.com. Click on the Features tab and look for Enjoy/Regional Calendar of Events.