Antiques Shows ______________

Sundays (2012 season opens March 11): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2 pm (early buying 5:45, $20), adm $2, free ages 12 & under, leave pets home, vendors offer antiques, collectibles & misc, refreshments available, no pets on premises; 508-265-9911.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places_________________

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

Through March 28: photos by members of Flagpole Photographers Camera Club.

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

On main floor: *(new show) Through April 16: “The Traveling Doll Project: Art Dolls,” art dolls by Newtown artist Paula Brinkman Hughes incl “Ginny 1” & “Ginny 2,” done in honor of the late Ginny Lathrop.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room): Through March 31: “Eyes of March!” drawings by longtime Newtown resident Joan Pollak, who enjoys using Impressionist & Pop influences, with bold colors, to create illustrations from unusual points of view.

In first floor display cases: Through March 31: “Nothing Exciting Ever Happens in Newtown,” artifacts & photos of the War Maneuvers of 1812, which attracted more than 10,000 spectators during “battles” between Red Army & Blue Army in Newtown in Aug 1912.

Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury; 203-743-5200.

Through March 20: “Locally Grown Authors & Artists: Photography — Sculpture — Painting,” works by Jane Bennett, Eric Camiel, Barry Collins, Giada Crispiels, Randy Lagana, Honorah O’Neil & Lys Guillorn incl framed pcs, butterflies hanging from ceiling, sculpture that travels on model RR track & more, part of new series presented by museum in partnership w/ Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance.

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

*(new show) March 10-18: “17th Annual Secondary School Student Show,” works by regional high school students; March 10, opening reception, 12-4 pm (awards at 2).

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 that shares exhibition’s name, exhibition also celebrates recently created partnership between FrameWorks Gallery & Housatonic Valley Cultural Alliance.

Still River Editions, 128 East St, Danbury; 203-791-1474.

Through March 30: “Fourteen Threadless Needles: Photographs by Vita Pasquale.”

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, in special events room (non-diners welcome to visit show any time restaurant is open).

Auditions, Juried Events  ________

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield; yipi2@comcast.net, www.RidgefieldTheaterBarn.org.

March 18-19: Open auditions for Top Topor’s Nuts, 7-10 pm, director Sherry Asch has roles for 9 actors, character breakdowns online, scripts will be provided, rehearsals to be determined, performances weekends June 1-23.

Concerts, Musical Events     ______

March 9: “Choral Favorites” by The Genevans, at Newtown Bible Church, 35 Sugar St/Rte 302, free, 7 pm, free (freewill offering will be received), concert of sacred & secular music by the choir of Geneva College, co-hosted by Bible Church and Newtown Community Presbyterian Church; 203-426-6484, 203-364-7041.

March 11: Connecticut Master Chorale concert, St Rose of Lima Church, 40 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 3 pm, $20/adv, $25/door, performance by 55-voice professional caliber group will incl Miklós Rózsa’s King of Kings Choral Suite, also Gloria and Te Deum by Karl Jenkins, w/ accompaniment by The CMC Orchestra; 203-743-0473.

March 11: Lenten Organ Recital by Dr Robert Kwan, Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 5 pm (Community Sing-In at 4), works of J.S. Bach, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Mendelssohn, et al, reception to follow; 203-426-9070.

March 18: 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 The FairWestSwing Project; 203-340-0397.

March 19: Live at Edmond Town Hall: Bill Frisell with Sam Amidon, Edmond Town Hall Theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, $29.99 (incl $10 ETH Theater Restoration donation), performance of folk, country, jazz & more will continue raising funds for historic theater’s restoration; 203-270-4285.

Newtown Friends of Music, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown; 203-426-6470.

Tickets $20, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult, reception follows performances: March 11, Pianist Ann Schein, 3 pm, works of Beethoven, Ravel, Debussy, Liszt & Chopin.

For Kids & Families      _____________

March 9: Friday Bingo Night, St Rose of Lima Gathering Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, doors open 5:45 pm, games begin 6:30, $17 incl all regular & most special games, baked goods & dinner items available for purchase, sponsored by St Rose of Lima Home School Assn, also April 13, all ages welcome; 203-426-5102.

March 10: Open House: “Before & After” The Learning Experience, 274 South Main St/Rte 25 (Plaza South), Newtown, 12-3 pm, free open house for parents to learn about childcare center’s new program that will offer before & after school events for grades K-4, children encouraged to attend w/ parents, face painting & playtime available; 203-304-9130.

 

Miscellaneous _________________

March 9: Friday Bingo Night, St Rose of Lima Gathering Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, doors open 5:45 pm, games begin 6:30, $17 incl all regular & most special games, baked goods & dinner items available for purchase, sponsored by St Rose of Lima Home School Assn; 203-426-5102.

March 10: Turn Nickels Into Gold: NHS Varsity Winter Guard Fundraiser, Newtown High School front parking lot, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 9 am-noon, team will be receiving donations of returnable cans & bottles, to be turned in & used to defray costs of team attending Winter Guard International Championships in April; 203-304-1339, 203-426-3742.

March 10: Turn Nickels Into Gold: NHS Varsity Winter Guard Fundraiser, at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown, 9 am-noon, see details above (within listing for NHS).

March 10: Turn Nickels Into Gold: NHS Varsity Winter Guard Fundraiser, at Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades La, Newtown, 9 am-noon, see details above (within listing for NHS).

March 10: Open House: “Before & After” The Learning Experience, 274 South Main St/Rte 25 (Plaza South), Newtown, 12-3 pm, free open house for parents to learn about childcare center’s new program that will offer before & after school events for grades K-4, children encouraged to attend w/ parents, face painting & playtime available; 203-304-9130.

March 11: CWU Human Rights Day Celebration, C.H. Booth Library community room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1:30 pm, all invited to join members of CWU Newtown & Danbury chapters for presentation by Dorothea LaBelle and celebrate theme of “Embracing Our Oneness,” national CWU Human Rights Award to be presented, light refreshments, all welcome; 203-426-5192, 203-426-3496.

March 12: “The Wonderful 50s — Change, Change, Change,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free program by retired history teacher Gordon Williams will reflect on a decade with many historic landmarks, hosted by Newtown Historical Society, light refreshments to follow; 203-426-5937.

March 13: “Treasure Hunt,” Woodbury Senior/Community Center, 265 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury, 10:30 am-noon, verbal appraisals by local antiques & fine arts consultant & appraiser Bernie McManus (up to 2 items, $5 each), also silent auction of “carefully selected, donated items of various shapes, sizes & value” (w/ low reserves), sponsored by & fundraiser for Pomperaug Valley Garden Club; 203-263-2260.

March 14: “Memory Loss: Legal and Financial Issues,” Masonicare of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5:30-7:30 pm, free program (and complimentary light supper at 5:30) by certified elder law attorney Julia M. Brown , reservations requested, hosted by CT chapter of Alzheimer’s Association; 888-679-9997.

March 14: Working Women’s Forum, The Villa Restaurant, 4 Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, networking begins at 6 pm (appetizers, cash bar), program to follow, $20 ($10 members), guest speaker Bette Lynn Paez will discuss “Women and Money Magic,” reservations requested; 203-740-7305.

March 14: “Treasures Within The Ivory Tower: Finding Family In Academic Archives,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, free program by professional writer & researcher Laura Prescott will share techniques to help others find information in alumni records, academic files, etc, hosted by Newtown Genealogy Club; 203-426-3981

March 15: Flagpole Photographers Camera Club photography competition, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, non-members invited to view club members’ entries (Assigned Subject: Motion, Open Color and Open Black & White categories) & hear guest judge’s critiques; 203-270-0483.

March 16: Newtown Congregational Preschool Annual Silent Auction, at The Stony Hill Inn, 50 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 7 pm, $35 (available in adv & at the door), buffet dinner (cash bar), 150+ items from local businesses, regional & national contributions & personal donations available through live & silent auctions & raffles, proceeds to benefit preschool; 203-426-1657.

March 17: Saturday Morning Bird Walk, Osbornedale State Park, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 8 am, free, leisurely walk/hike through Kellogg Estate & state park to search for & ID local birds, walks may last up to 2 hours, all levels of birders welcome, reservations requested, also April 14, May 12 & June 9; 203-734-2513.

March 18: St Baldrick’s Event at McGuire’s Ale House, 130 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6 (at Rte 25, Newtown, 12-3 pm, all ages will be shaving their heads to raise funds & show solidarity for children with cancer (shavees must register in advance), family-friendly event will also feature live music, silent auctions, proceeds to benefit St Baldrick’s Foundation; 203-917-0038, Michael.Connors0806@yahoo.com.

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

FILM: Through March 11: The Adventures of Tintin (PG), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm.

March 12-15: My Week With Marilyn (R), Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Tues 1 pm.

SPECIAL EVENTS: March 10, staged reading of Steve Bellwood’s By the Heirs of St Patrick by Stray Kats Theatre Company, 7:30 pm, $25/adv, $30/door, staged reading by Equity actors, followed by Q&A, light refreshments (call 203-514-2221); March 19, Live at Edmond Town Hall: Bill Frisell w/ Sam Amidon, 7 pm, $29.99 (incl $10 ETH Theater Restoration donation), performance of folk, country, jazz & more will continue raising funds for historic theater’s restoration.

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

Weekly games, Sat 1-5 pm, drop-in chess open to all skill levels, sets & boards provided, hosted by US Chess Federation expert Glenn Budzinski.

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: March 10, Platt Park at Farm, Southbury (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); March 17, Mystery Hike (Christa Troiani, 203-262-1727 & Donna O’Brien, 203-262-6560).

Newtown Toastmasters, Town Hall South Parks & Recreation Conference Room, 3 Main St, Newtown; 203-313-5507.

Local chapter of international organization meets 1st & 3rd Wed/month, guests & newcomers welcome.

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.

Seasonal: Observation area open only to March 14 for 2011-12 season, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm 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.

US Passport Office, at PJ’s Laundromat, 110 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook; 203-770-9157.

Office open Thur-Fri 3-6 pm, Sat 10 am-1 pm, resident Peggy Jepsen is available to help download, fill out & mail passport paperwork (applications also available at travel.state.gov), adult passport book $110, minors $80, US Passport Cards also available ($30, $15 respectively), photos also available at office, plus $25 service fee/application.

Theatre ________________________

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

Mainstage: Through April 1: Bell, Book and Candle, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun, Tues-Wed 7 pm (note: 7:30 on Wed, March 14), mat Sat 3 pm, Sun, Wed 2 pm, $40-$70.

On Stage II: Through March 18: February House, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $57-$67.

Newtown High School Drama Dept, at NHS, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook; 203-426-7983.

March 15-18: Sweeney Todd, curtain Thurs-Sat 7 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, $16 reserved seating, $14 general adm, $12 students & seniors.

Newtown Middle School Drama Club, at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown; 203-426-7642.

March 9-11: Bye Bye Birdie, curtain Fri-Sat 7 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, $10 adults, $8 students.

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: March 10, Steve Bellwood’s By the Heirs of St Patrick.

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

Through March 24: The Irish Curse, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (March 18) 2 pm, $20; NOTE: show is recommended for mature audiences.

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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.

 

Shannon Hicks is the calendar editor for The Newtown Bee. To submit an item for the Enjoy Calendar, send her an email at shannon@thebee.com no later than Tuesday at 5 pm for each week’s calendar. For the Community Calendar (Newtown events, which can be found on page A-2 each week), emails must be received no later than 5 pm Wednesday. For additional information contact Miss Hicks at The Newtown Bee, 203-426-3141.