Antiques Shows      _________________________

Sundays: 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.

March 23-24: 50th Annual Manchester Antiques Show, Second Congregational Church, 385 North Main St, Manchester, Fri 11 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm, $5, lunch available; 860-649-7770.

March 25: Yankee Pole Cat Insulator Club Annual Antique Insulator, Bottle & Collectibles Show, American Legion Hall, 556 Enfield St/Rte 5, Enfield, 8 am-2 pm, free, sanctioned by National Insulator Assn; 203-261-1190.

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: photographs by members of Flagpole Photographers Camera Club.

The Behnke Doherty Gallery, 6 Green Hill, Washington Depot; 860-868-1655.

Through April 1: “Third Annual Invitational Group Show,” paintings, works on paper, sculpture & ceramics by 33 artists, incl some represented by the gallery & sev new artists.

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.

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

Through March 20: “Mind In Motion,” paintings by Sebastian DiStefano, who is inspired by Abstract Expressionists & Color Field artists, also in sm part Baroque painters, who has spent most of his life creating — but not selling — non-objective art.

Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Road (at Rte 47), Washington Green; 860-868-7756.

The Stairwell Gallery: Through April 29: “The Naturalist’s Studio — Branching Out,” work by 15 artists who began working together following summer 2004 botanical drawing class at Washington Art Assn taught by licensed bird rehabilitator Banjie Nicholas, pcs incl works done w/ gouache, colored pencil, water-color, acrylic, egg tempera, silverpoint, sculpture & graphite.

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

Through March 18: “17th Annual Secondary School Student Show,” works by regional high school students.

*(new show) March 25-April 22: “Member Show I,” first show of KAA’s 89th season will feature works in various mediums by KAA members; March 25, opening reception, 1-5 pm; March 31, awards reception, 2-4 pm (awards announced at 3).

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. 

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

Through March 18: “Shared Sensibilities: The Art of Sol LeWitt and His Friends,” two-part exhibition features LeWitt’s art since 1990s incl structure from his Incomplete Open Cube series & 20 addt’l works on paper, also look at contemporary art collection artist & wife Carol created, featuring works by 18 friends & colleagues of LeWitt incl paintings, sculpture, photography & prints.

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

Through April 2: “Spring 2012 Collection,” oil paintings by Karen Pepper inspired by the artist’s years of living in national parks in AZ & HI.

Peter Lawrence Gallery, 703 Kent Road/Rte 7, Gaylordsville; 203-746-5533.

Through April 8: “The Wine & Art Series, continued: Fused Glass Works,” new pcs by M. Meken Silvestri & Linda Banks.

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 _________________

Beautiful Baby Contest c/o Lois Barber, 33 Zoar Rd, Sandy Hook CT 06482.

Entries sought for competition that will invite residents to vote for beautiful child’s photos of their choice, though $1 donations, raising funds for Homes For Our Troops, entrants can be local residents newborn to age 4, send non-returnable photo (wallet-size to 4 x 4 inches) to Mrs Barber at above ad-dress, space limited to 54 submissions, voting to open June 4 during Sandy Hook LobsterFest, one win-ner & parents will ride in chauffer driven convertible in 2012 Newtown Labor Day Parade, and also receive gift basket w/ items from local businesses, this year’s funds earmarked for home for Penn-based Army Staff Sergeant Earl Granville, who lost one leg & had other seriously injured during roadside bomb incident 4 years ago.

Connecticut Master Chorale, rehearsals at South Britain Congregational Church Parish House, Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury; call 203-775-2602. 

March 20: Auditions available for spring concert “I Hear America Singing,” rehearsals begin March 20 for spring concert by premiere ensemble of 55 high-caliber vocalists with precise blend & balance, May 19 concert to be performed at St Rose of Lima Church in Newtown, contact director Tina Johns Heidrich for details & audition appt.

Easton Arts Council, at Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd, Easton; 203-374-0705, 203-261-0175, EastonArtsCouncil.org.

April 15: Deadline for applications for Regional Open Juried Fine Art Show, seeking original representational or abstract art in oil, watercolor, acrylic, pastel, drawing, mixed media & sculpture, juror is Daniel Mark Duffy, show to be presented May 7-June 2 at Easton Public Library, applications online & also at Easton Library, libraries in Fairfield, Trumbull, Westport, Monroe, Redding & Stratford, as well as City Lights Gallery, Bpt.

Kent Art Association, The Gallery at KAA, 21 South Main St/Rte 7 (just south of monument), Kent; 860-927-3989, www.KentArt.org.

March 24: Receiving for “Member Show I,” 11 am-2 pm, artists invited to submit works for show that will open KAA’s 89th season, artists may join at receiving, show chairs are Virginia Schaffer & Alexis Lunch, judges are Carolyn Edlund, Laura Wilk & Danielle Langford, show will run March 25-April 22, opening reception March 25, awards reception March 31, visit website for full prospectus.

La Roue Elayne @ Cobb’s Mill Inn, 12 Old Mill Rd, Weston; 203-227-7221, founder4life@gmail.com.

March 25: Talent search by partners Elayne Cassara & Drew Friedman for new entertainment series at historic inn, appointments begin at 4 pm (registration required), performers should bring their own instruments & amps, inn will have piano, drums, mics & PA system, plan to perform 2 songs/numbers, audience members also sought to judge performance, contact Ms Cassara at above number or email address.

Newtown Woman’s Club GFWC, Inc, at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown; 203-426-1035, 203-445-1599.

April 7: Early bird deadline for 2012 Clear The Clutter Tailgate Tag Sale, returns to NMS Sat, May 5, $30/space (1 parking space; vendors will need to rent 2 spaces for lg collections or vehicles), send name, phone number, make of vehicle & license plate number w/ check made out to Newtown Woman’s Club, PO Box 101, Newtown CT 06470 (cancelled check will serve as confirmation), vendors responsible for set-up & clean-up, no electricity available, proceeds from rental fees will be used by women’s club to support scholarships & local service agencies that assist Newtown residents, contact Anna Wiedemann (first phone # above) or Jo Ann Bruno (second #) for details.

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 to be June 1-23, Fri-Sat eves & 2 Sun mats (June 10 & 17).

North Congregational Church, 11 Main St North/Rte 6 at Rte 47 (Canfield Corner), Woodbury; 203-264-4585.

April 14: Spaces available for annual Indoor Flea Market, Bake Sale & Raffle, running 9 am-2 pm, spaces $35, $60/double, BYO table or rent 8-ft long one for $6, call above phone # for reservations & info.

Town Players of Newtown, at The Little Theater, 18 Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown; www.NewtownPlayers.org.

March 26-27: Open auditions for Dial M For Murder, 7:30-9 pm, director Gene Golaszewski has openings for 4 men & 1 woman (all roles open, character breakdowns online, auditions will be cold readings from script, rehearsals to being by end of March, season opener will run May 4-26 Fri-Sat eves & Sun afternoons May 13 & 30, send e-mail to above address for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events ______________

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.

March 24: Flagpole Radio Café featuring Livingston Taylor, Edmond Town Hall Theatre, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, $25, $20 students & senior citizens, performance by Mr Taylor, also performances by The Flagpole Radio Café Orchestra & Flagpole Shakespeare Repertory Theatre; 203-364-0898.

March 24: Elisabeth von Trapp at St John’s Episcopal Church, 78 Green Hill Rd, Washington, 8 pm, $40 (season tickets available), performance by Maria & Baron von Trapp’s granddaughter to incl favorites from The Sound of Music, Puccini arias, American gospel & more, continues St John’s 2011-12 Concert Series; 860-868-2527.

March 24: Grease Sing-Along, The Palace Danbury, 165 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, $15/adv, $18/night of show, screening of 1978 feature film (rated PG-13, running time 1:10) starring Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta, restored w/ sing-along subtitles, audience encouraged to sing along & dress for the part, Palace hosting Prom King & Queen Contest; 203-794-9944.

March 25: The Little House That Roared: Tom Chapin & Friends, Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 3 pm,  $12-$20/advance, $15-$25/door, performance by nationally acclaimed folk singer & song-writer will also feature The Fairfield County Children’s Choir, jazz violinist Sam Weiser, classical guitarist Yossi Kohrman-Glaser, et al, presented by Congregation Adath Israel/The Little House That Roared; 203-209-4662.

March 31: 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, bonus event in March will make up for no coffee house in April due to Easter holiday; 203-426-9998.

Flagpole Radio Café, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-364-0898, info@flagpoleproductions.org, www.FlagpoleProductions.org.

Performances by Flagpole Radio Café Orchestra & radio style comedy sketches by Flagpole Shakespeare Repertory Theatre w/ guest headliners, 7 pm, $25, $20 students & senior citizens, guest headliners as follows: March 24, Flagpole Radio Café featuring Livingston Taylor.

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

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, start times as noted, tickets $20, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult, reception follows performances: April 1, Escher String Quartet with Jason Vieaux, 3 pm, finale of 2011-12 season sponsored by NFoM will include works of Castel-Nuovo, Boccherini, Verdi & Vivaldi.

For Kids & Families _______________________

March 25: Bubblemania 2012, Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown, performances 1 & 3 pm, $8, $30/four patrons, family fun by Casey Carle will offer bubble science, bubble tricks & fun, and “the art of bubbleology,” sponsored by Newtown Junior Women’s Club; 203-270-3767.

March 31: Plaza South Block Party, 274 South Main Street, tenants including Union Savings Bank, Sweet Mango, Dorazio Sisters Bakery, Subway, Good Ideas, Pub 25, Z Place for Fitness, et al, 11 am-4 pm, businesses will offer discounts, activities & samples, free photos with Easter Bunny, also fire truck & race car display, wine tasting, bounce house, Bubbles the Elephant, gift basket raffle & more; 203-830-6045.

March 31-April 1: The Last Supper Enactment, Immanuel Lutheran Church & School, 18 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, presentations Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm, $10 ($30 max/family), reenactment of events leading up to DaVinci’s famous painting, with music and drama, by The Immanuel Lutheran Players; 203-775-5566.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533 (children’s dept 203-426-3851).

Children’s programs, free unless specified: March 21, Think Big: Building Domes, 4 pm, $3 materials fee due at program, one-hour hands-on workshop for grades K-2 w/ science educator Laurie Borst, registration requested; March 28, Think Big: Building Domes, 4 pm, $3 materials fee due at program, one-hour hands-on workshop for grades 3-4 w/ science educator Laurie Borst, registration requested.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: March 24, Battle of the Books 2012, 1 pm (snow date March 25), annual trivia contest for teams of students in grades 5-8, public invited to view competition w/ questions this year about Gollywhopper Games by Jody Feldman, Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George, Scat by Carl Hiaasen & Savvy by Ingrid Law.

 

Miscellaneous          ___________________________

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 17: Amber Alert Child ID session, Southbury Ambulance Association facility, 68 Georges Hill Rd, Southbury, 10 am-2 pm (snow date March 18), free IDs w/ child’s photo & basic info on wallet-sized plastic card, also encrypted computer data (not connected to Internet, but accessible by state police), presented by Danbury Rotary Clubs & CT State Police Amber Alert Center; 203-748-1105.

March 17: Planetarium Show & Sky Viewing at WCSU Observatory, Western CT State Univ westside campus, 43 Lake Ave, Danbury, free, planetarium show 7 pm, viewings (8-10 pm) through univ’s 20” Ritchey-Chretien reflector telescope of Pleiades star cluster & Orion Nebula, Mars, Mizar & Alcor, can-celled if cloudy or inclement weather; 203-837-8672 (Observatory).

March 17: Writing on the Wall: Social Media for Artists,” Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, 12-2 pm, $35, registration requested; 203-775-4526 brookfieldcraft.org.

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.

March 20: “Fieldcraft for Birders,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 7:30 pm, $4 donation requested, $2 students & children, program by Gina Nichol (owner, Sunrise Building) will offer techniques to get close to birds in the field, light refreshments to follow, registration requested; 203-734-2513.

March 22: Lunch & Book Review, Congregation B’nai Israel, 444 Main St North/Rte 6 & 67, Southbury, 11:30 am, $15, all welcome for luncheon, then discussion led by Rabbi Eric Polokoff concerning My Father’s Paradise: A Son’s Search For His Family’s Past by Ariel Sabar, prior reading of book not necessary to enjoy program, reservations required; 203-758-1505.

March 22: Masuk Masquerade Fashion Show: A Night Of Mystery & Fashion, at Masuk High School, 1014 Monroe Tpke/Rte 111, Monroe, 7:30 pm (doors open 6:30), $8/adv, $10/door, Masuk HS students & teachers will model dresses & tuxes, hair & make-up provided by local businesses, just in time for prom season, refreshments available, annual event helps raise funds for Masuk Post Prom Event; 203-268-7822.

March 23: Ye Olde Lenten Fish Fry, St Peter’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 175 Old Tannery Rd (Rte 111, opposite town green), Monroe, 6-8 pm, $8 adults, $5 ages 12 & under, $30 family max, all welcome; 203-268-4265.

March 24: Parent Empowerment University, Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown, 8 am-1:45, $5, parents invited to attend two workshops with proactive & positive parenting strategies for children of all ages, also keynote by Bonnie Harris, breakfast & lunch incl, Kids University (free, child-appropriate programs) also available, registration strongly encouraged, presented by Newtown Parent Connection, Inc., Brookfield Substance Abuse Coalition and SMART, Inc (Southbury-Middlebury Acting Responsibly Together); 203-270-1600.

March 24: American Red Cross Blood Drive, Reed Inter-mediate School, 3 Trades La, Newtown, 8 am-1 pm, donors must be at least age 18, weigh at least 110 pounds & be in generally good health, appointments available, walk-ins welcome; 203-426-9024, 800-RED-CROSS (800-733-2762).

March 24: Grease Sing-Along, The Palace Danbury, 165 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, $15/adv, $18/night of show, screening of 1978 feature film (rated PG-13, running time 1:10) starring Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta, restored w/ sing-along subtitles, audience encouraged to sing along & dress for the part, Palace hosting Prom King & Queen Contest; 203-794-9944.

March 25: Craft-Bake-Tag Sale, 11 am-4 pm, 82 Main Street, fundraiser for Newtown Relay For Life will be presented by Sole Savers, with all proceeds to benefit Relay efforts.

March 25: Newtown Spring Welcome Craft Fair, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-5 pm, free adm, presented by Artisans Alliance; 203-261-2414.

March 27: “Getting Your Garden Ready For The Returning Birds,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1 pm,$5 requested donation, program by Margaret Robbins (owner, Wild Birds Unlimited) will cover plants that are beneficial to hummingbirds & other birds for food or shelter, tips & tricks on attracting specific types of bird to a yard, & more, hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown; 203-512-7320.

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

March 21, Good Reads For Cold Nights: Digging for America by Ann Tyler, 7:30 pm, Julie Stern will lead discussion in Antiques Room; March 28, Business Database Demonstration, 3 pm, free demo by representative from AtoZdatabases will show business people, job hunters, et al, how to use reference and marketing database, refreshments to follow, reservations required.

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

FILM: Through March 18: My Week With Marilyn (R), Thurs & Sun 7 pm, Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat 4 pm.

March 20-23: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (R), Tues-Thurs 7 pm, Fri 7 & 9:15 pm, mat Tues 1 pm.

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

March 24, Flagpole Radio Café featuring Livingston Taylor, 7 pm, $25, $20 students & senior citizens, performance by Mr Taylor, also The Flagpole Radio Café Orchestra & Flagpole Shakespeare Repertory Theatre; 203-364-0898.

Flagpole Photographers Camera Club, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown; 203-270-0483.

Hands-on workshops, free & open to all levels of photographers, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St (use lower level): April 5, HDR Photography Workshop, 7:30 pm, free hands-on (BYO camera) workshop on the software for High Dynamic Range photography, all levels of photographers welcome, members of club will assist.

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

Misc programs: March 17, Annual Maple Sugaring Festival, 11 am-3 pm, $10, $8 children, pancakes w/ local syrup, coffee & orange juice (11 am-1 pm), also ongoing demos of collecting sap & boiling into syrup, children’s activities (1-3 pm).

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 (winter start time), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: March 17, Mystery Hike (Christa Troiani, 203-262-1727 & Donna O’Brien, 203-262-6560); March 24, Rockefeller State Park, Pleasantville, N.Y.  (Jim Steck, 845-621-5559 or 914-806-4107); March 31, Southford Falls, Oxford, short hike followed by pot luck luncheon and spring schedule planning at Tim Hanbury’s house (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025, call for food coordination & directions).

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

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.

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 Acceptance 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 __________________________________

Bethel High School On Stage Players, 300 Whittlesey Dr, Bethel; 203-794-8600 x218.

March 24: Jack and The Beanstalk, curtain 1 & 3 pm, $5 (or $4 w/ donation of canned beans for Bethel food pantry).

Center Stage Theater, 54 Grove St (former Lafayette School), Shelton; 203-225-6079.

March 23-April 14: Enchanted April, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (March 25 & April 1) 2 pm, $25, $10 students.

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, 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; 203-364-4534.

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

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.

WCSU Opera, at Western CT State University’s White Hall/Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury; 203-837-8350, 203-837-8499.

March 30-31: Carmen, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15, $12 ages 12 & under & seniors, WCSU students free w/ ID; March 30, Dinner-Opera Event, dinner at 5:30, call or visit website for details.

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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.