Antiques Shows______

March 19-20: Ephemera 25, Hyatt Regency, 1800 East Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $10, appraisals (Sat 12-3, $5/item), dealers from around the world, talks & exhibits, conservation workshops, presented by Ephemera Society of America (membership info available at show), full show details www.EphemeraSociety.com; 631-261-4590, 203-637-1234.

March 19: 13th Annual Country Antiques in CT’s Quiet Corner, H.S. Ellis Technical School, 613 Upper Maple St, Danielson, 10 am-3 pm, adm $6 (early buying 9 am, $12); 860-774-8511.

March 19-20: 31st edition Cheshire Academy Antiques Show, Rte 10 at 68, Cheshire, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 10:30 am-4 pm, adm $6; 860-342-2540.

March 20: 13th Annual Northwest CT Antiques & Collectibles Show, Northwest Regional High School, Rte 44 at 8 (just east of intersection), Winsted, 9:30 am-4 pm (early buying 8:30 am, adm $10), show adm $4.50, approx 60 dealers, proceeds to benefit New Hartford Lions Club; 860-738- 2207, 860-673-7070.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Thurs & Sat-Sun 1-5 pm, Fri 12-8 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through March 27: “Jonathan Seliger: Politeness Counts,” museum’s new Main Street Sculpture Project features objects from daily vernacular incl 7-ft tall brown grocery bag sculpted in aluminum.

Through March 27: “Michael Rees: Large and Moving,” digitally designed sculpture & animation by Mr Rees.

Through April 10: “Bottle: Contemporary Art and Vernacular Tradition,” exploration of the use of the bottle as a poetic container, the nature of the bottle as a spiritual space & its use as a container for liquor offered through works by 25 artists & selections from various bottle collections.

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs & Sun 1-4 pm, Fri-Sat 1-8 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

Through March 27: “Welcome Back,” first show of new year will feature works by gallery artists.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room — Through March 31: paintings by Lisa Orleman, former student of Kirill Doron does oils on canvas & wood; March 12, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

On library’s main floor — Through April 15: “Juxtapositions: Differing Interpretations of Divided Images – an exhibit of contemporary art quilts,” contemporary art quilts created by 15 members of The Scrapbag Quilt Artists.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 775-4526.

Through March 26: “Translucence: Forms in Paper,” works by 21 artists who employ paper fiber in their work in creative & unique ways.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-869-0376.

*(new show) March 19-June 19: “Danish Paintings of the 19th Century from the Collection of Ambassador John L. Loeb, Jr,” 35 Danish paintings from collection acclaimed as the most extensive collection of such paintings outside Denmark, started during Loeb’s 1981-83 tenure as Ambassador to Kingdom of Denmark, works incl interiors, land & cityscapes, portraits, still lifes, florals & genre paintings.

Through March 27: “A Very Personal Collection,” first in a series of shows that will highlight private collections, this one features 56 works of 20th C, from early decades to more contemporary presentations..

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-5 pm, Tues & Wed 10 am-8 pm, Thurs 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm. Call 261-0134.

Through April 13: “Fiber Artist Friends,” loom weavings, original handpainted silks, silkscreen hangings, cast paper sculpture, contemporary stitcheries & beading, quilts, handmade & embossed paper prints, paper weavings, crocheted mixed media handbags & more.

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-5 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 203-365-7650.

*(new show) March 20-April 17: “Student Art Exhibition,” works by current SHU students; note: gallery will be closed during spring break, March 23-29; March 30, 15th Annual Art Lecture, 9:30 am exhibit preview, 10:30 am, lecture by illustrator Dennis Lyall.

Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Hours: Thurs-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-577-2181.

Through March: “Yesterday’s Trucks, Tomorrow’s Memories,” commemorative watercolors by Brian Colbath.

Handcrafter’s Haven, 40 Main St North/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-263-2111.

Through March 31: original works by accomplished seamstress Karen Trinks.

Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Thurs-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 860-927-3989.

*(new show) March 24-April 24: “2005 KAA Members’ Art Show & Sale,” more than 100 paintings incl oils, watercolors & pastels, also graphics & sculpture in various mediums; April 1, opening reception, 6-8 pm; April 2, Awards Reception (public welcome), 1-5 pm .

Mark Twain House & Museum Center, 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford. Hours: 9:30 am-5:30 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-247-0998.

Through May 1: “Marks On Paper,” books read by Twain & his family, books the author used for research, margin notes & notes about the authors he disdained incl Jane Austen.

Miller Studio & Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 12-4:30 pm. Call 203-263-3939.

Through March 30: “Winterludes,” works by 10 artists incl Thomas C. Adkins, Joy Bristol, Robert Holden, Gabo Rodriguez & 6 others, which will change during the course of the show, presenting fresh, bright works to offer a respite from the bleak outdoors.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Sat 10 am-2 pm, Mon & Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through March 28: “Human Spirit,” photographs by Wendy Carlson & John Kane.

New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Hours: Tues, Thurs-Fri & Sun 12-5 pm, Wed 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

*(new show) March 22-June 12, “American Folk Art: Traditional and Spontaneous,” folk art objects created in Northeast tradition incl paintings, furniture, pottery, quilts, sailor’s valentines, hooked rugs, painted wooden objects, baskets, scrimshaw, gameboards, dolls, tins & theorems; March 22, opening reception, 5:30-7:30 pm; March 23, “Art Happy Hour: Outside Art & Unusual Minds,” 5:30 pm, lecture by collector Kelly Gingras (also owner, Outsider’s Art Gallery, Cornwall Bridge); March 30, “Art Happy Hour: Focus on Folk Art – Explore the use and making of everyday folk art objects,” 5:30 pm, lecture by artist & instructor Dorothy Fillmore; call for details on addt’l special programs.

New Haven Colony Historical Society, 114 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 12-5 pm (museum library open Wed-Fri 10-5 only). Call 203-562-4183.

*(new show) Through May 14: “Mishkan Israel, 1840-2005: The Story of New England’s Oldest Continuing Jewish Congregation,” historical documents, photos, memorabilia & video showcases illustrious 165-year history of the oldest continuously operating synagogue in New England & 14th oldest congregation in the US.

*(new show) Through Dec 31: “Max Dellfant and The Expression of Spirit,” paintings that have been bequeathed to museum by various donors since 1975 by artist who had a unique vision of New Haven, especially its waterfront area.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery (formerly Grey Horse Gallery), 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Paintings by Rainie Crawford, Frank Federico, Leslie Lillien Levy, Dick McEvoy, Alain J. Picard & Peter Seltzer, sculpture by Sterett-Gittings Kelsey.

Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-966-5617.

*(new show) March 20-April 2: “Characters: Scene II,” the return of characters in contemporary arts & our apparent need for the stories they tell featuring works by internationally renowned & emerging artists from worlds of fine art & illustration w/ pcs presenting cultural, historical, stylistic & technical diversity by artists from around the world; March 20, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

*(new show) March 20-April 21: “Edward Hopper & John Marin’s New York,” works on paper from the collection of Theodore C. Rogers and Hirschl & Adler Gallery, selections illustrate how 2 contemporaries responded in diff ways to visual & emotional dynamisn of NYC during first quarter of 20th C, complemented w/ photos by other major American photographers of the era, such as Alfred Stieglitz, Paul Strand, Walker Evans & Berenice Abbott; March 20, slide lecture by Avis Berman (author of new book Edward Hopper’s New York), 1 pm, followed by exhibition’s opening reception at 2.

*(new show) March 20-April 21: “Chaotic Symmetries: The Fabric of Life Series,” photography by John Arabalos, who seeks the chaotic patterns that exist in nature; March 20, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

*(new show) March 20-April 21: “Twice Removed,” mixed media installation by Hazel Usher, who uses 2 steel structures (one 12x8 ft, the other 6x4 ft) to suggest the industrial riverside area of her native city of Liverpool, and photos, silkscreen & paintings to represent the way the city’s river encircles & influences the lives of nearby residents; ; March 20, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Wed-Fri 11 am-5 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm. Hours. Call 860-278-2670.

*(new show) March 24-April 17: “Cleve Gray: A Special Memorial Exhibition,” celebration of the late Connecticut artist will offer a selection of his large abstract canvases filled w/ rhythmic sense of color, form & line.

Through April 10: “Dance, Theater and Court Festivities in the 18th Century,” 40-plus rare pcs of sculpture & painted decoration produced during 18th Century by Vincennes-Sèvres & Meissen porcelain factories, based on popular stage productions.

Through April 24: “Ellen Carey/Matrix 153,” new large-scale works by a maverick in minimalist photographs, marking 20 years of experimentation by Carey w/ one-step, peel-away Polaroid process camera.

Through April 24: “Contemporary Art: Floor To Ceiling, Wall To Wall,” major contemporary art acquisitions of the last 45 years, plus 4 new gifts & 15 select loans from private collections, explores the sweeping view of paths taken by artists over the past 4½ decades.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Musicals at Richter, auditions at The Melrose School, 120 Federal Hill Rd, Brewster, N.Y. Call 748-6873.

March 31: Auditions for theater’s alumni, by appt only; call 270-0242.

April 1-3: Open auditions for 2005 season, Fri 7-10 pm, Sat 10 am-1 pm (ages 15 & under) & 2-6 pm (high school students & adults), Sun 1-5 pm, Mainstage productions to incl Into the Woods (June 16-July 2), Phantom (July 7-23) & The Sound of Music (July 28-Aug 13), prepare 2 Broadway showtunes (1 uptempo, 1 ballad) to show range, bring sheet music in your key & be ready to sing only 16 bars if necessary, be prepared to learn short dance combo, be prepared to read from script, also bring photo & résumé (stapled) if available; full details at www.MusicalsAtRichter.org.

April 2: Auditions for children & young performers, 10 am-1 pm, need children for The Sound of Music & Young Erik for Phantom, also young performers for Fairy Tale Theater, FTT auditioners do not have to sing but need to be prepared to read from script; full details at www.MusicalsAtRichter.org.

Newtown Youth Services, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St, Newtown. Call 270-4335.

April 7 & 9: Auditions for annual NYS Talent Show, Thurs 3-6 pm, Sat 9-11 am, $5 registration fee, acts must be 2½ min or shorter, show will be May 13, 7 pm, at middle school.

Realistic ReEnactments LLC, at Warsaw Park, 119 Pulkaski Hwy/Rte 243, Ansonia. Call 203-888-6204.

March 19-20: Open auditions for 4th Annual Southern CT Renaissance Festival (formerly The Park City Renaissance Faire), Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 12-6 pm, looking sev adults for major & minor roles (nobility, paupers, village characters, singers, et al), also help for behind the scenes (building, painting, stage crew, decorating, ground crew, gate, etc), performers need to bring portfolios incl current head shot, be prepared to read, sing song of choice & take part in improv scenario, short (3-5-min) monologues also welcome, other volunteers also requested to bring resumes, festival will run weekends of July 8-10 & 15-17.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

March 19: Brian Neal at Community Coffeehouse, 7 Madison Ave, Danbury, 7:30-10:30 pm, freewill donation ($5-$10 sugg), performances by Mr Neal, also Beth & Jeff, refreshments available; 748-4972.

March 20: Winners’ Recital: The Select Student Competition, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 3 pm, free recital will present winning students from recent Western CT Music Teachers Assn Select Student Competition incl Don Sun of Newtown; 792-6985.

March 20: “A New World,” Danbury Symphony Orchestra concert at WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance of DSO will be conducted by guest conductor Salvatore Di Vittorio, concert will honor his conducting debut in USA, works ton incl Rossini (Semiramide Overture), Mozart (Clarinet Concerto) & Dvorak (From the New World Symphony); 748-1716.

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010, 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396).

Performances 8 pm unless noted: March 19, Diane Schuur, $25-$40, performance by “The First Lady of Jazz” is part of season-long Jazz Tribute Project.

Films _________________

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

March 18-22: Born Into Brothels (R), daily 7:10 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 5:10 pm, Sat-Sun 1:20, 3:15 & 5:10 pm; Bride & Prejudice (PG-13), daily 7:20 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun 12:30, 2:45 & 5 pm; Merchant of Venice (R), daily 6:40 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 3:50 pm, Sat-Sun 1:10 & 3:50 pm; Sideways (R), daily 7 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 4:15 pm, Sat-Sun 1:40 & 4:15 pm.

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

Independent Film Series, 7:30 pm, free: March 22, Falling Angels (Canadian film in English); March 29, Witnesses (Croatian w/ English subtitles).

Alliance Française “Cinémathèque” screenings, 2 pm, free: March 31, Marius.

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

March 18-24: Ocean’s Twelve (PG-13), Fri-Sun 7 & 9:15 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Institute For American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington. Call 860-868-0518.

Winter Film Festival, screenings 2 pm: March 19-20, Honoring the Maple Sugar; March 26, Building an Algonquin Canoe; March 27, Honoring the Maple Sugar.

Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & The Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Lost & Found Film Series, 7:30 pm screenings followed by guest speakers for Q&A, tickets $15: March 18, Two Family House, guest speaker will be director Raymond DeFelitta & producer Alan Klingenstein.

Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St, New Haven.

New Zealand Film Series (inspired by current William Hodges exhibition), free screenings, 2 pm: March 19, Sleeping Dogs; March 26, Whale Rider.

For Kids & Families _________

March 20: CT Historical Society Children’s Springtime Jamboree, CT Historical Society Museum, One Elizabeth St (at corner Asylum Ave), Hartford, 2-4 pm, free afternoon of events incl hands-on creation of Easter egg soaps & other crafts, coincides w/ current “Art We Clean Yet?” exhibit, RSVP requested; 860-236-5621 x238.

March 21: Open House for Parents, Flanders Nature Center Trail House, Church Hill Rd (at Flanders Rd), Woodbury, 7-8:30 pm, parents invited to meet Flanders naturalist teachers & discover what children ages pre-K to 10 & families can learn after school & on weekends; 203-263-3711.

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

March 19, Right Brain Saturday, 10 am-noon, $25, monthly workshops (so different topics monthly) taught by local artists & museum educators allow children to experience artwork in the galleries & then apply the methods, concepts or ideas they see into their own projects, all materials provided.

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

Free public programs: March 19, Spring Stories, 11 am, reading of spring-themed books incl Lauren Thompson’s Mouse’s First Spring; March 26, Bunny Stories, 11 am, stories about bunnies incl A Boy and His Bunny by Sean Bryan & Deanna Medearis’ Bunny’s Easter Hunt.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel. Call 794-8756.

March 31, Lemony Snicket Series of Unfortunate Events Discussion, 6:30-7:45 pm, readers in grades 3-5 invited to joined Scholastic Children’s Book Editor Jennifer A. Perry for discussion of first 3 books in series (The Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room & The Wide Window).

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: March 19, Easter Craft Workshop, 1 pm, $3 materials fee, children ages 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for one-hour workshop.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: March 28, “Freedom Quilts & The Underground Railroad,” 4 pm, program by Civil War re-enactor Trish Chambers will offer brief history of Underground Railroad & discussion of quilt patterns used by slaves seeking freedom to communicate.

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

The Little Engine That Could, through April 10, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and The Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

March 19, The Great Dinosaur Mystery, curtain 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15, play for younger audiences by DinoRock Productions.

Miscellaneous ___________

March 18: “A Home Party Connection,” Center Firehouse, Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 7-9 pm, free adm (but attendees asked to bring non-perishable items for Southbury Food Bank), opportunity to meet retailers who typically can only be found at individual home parties incl Tastefully Simple Gourmet Foods, Tupperware, Longaberger, Pampered Chef, Creative Memories, et al; 262-0615.

March 19: 3rd Annual Easter Egg Hunt at The Homesteads at Newtown Retirement Community, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 1:30-3:30 pm, games & prizes, photos w/ Easter Bunny, family concert w/ guitarist Les Julian, RSVP requested; 426-8118.

March 19: Second Annual Newtown Woman’s Club Silent Auction, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4-7 pm, tickets $5, theme baskets, overnight accommodations, & items for many other interests, also refreshments & door prizes; 426-2226, 426-5283.

March 19: Church of the Good Shepherd Indoor Flea Market, 680 Racebrook Rd (at corner of Shepherd Lane, betw Post Rd & Rte 34), Orange, 8 am-2 pm, wide variety of vendors, refreshments also available; 203-934-4446.

March 19: St Mary School “A Night on Broadway” Auction, Stony Hill Inn, Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, doors open 6 pm, live auction begins at 8, adm $25 (incl buffet dinner & dessert); 748-3776.

March 19: CT ConTacts 20th Anniversary Bash, Colonial Tavern, 24 Hawley Rd (off Rte 67), Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, one of state’s leading singles organizations will celebrate 2 decades in business w/ special dinner buffet, Viennese Table dessert buffet, patrons urged to dress up (no jeans permitted); 203-268-1144.

March 19-20: Spring Into Spring: St Rose Easter Boutique & Flower Sale, St Rose of Lima Parish Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, Sat 10 am-7 pm, Sun 8 am-2 pm, Easter plants, traditional Easter decorations and spring goodies from around the world, refreshments, raffle baskets, also large selection of Easter baskets made by Father Bob, proceeds will benefit St Rose Building Fund.

March 20: Ukrainian Traditional Easter Egg Demonstration & Workshop, home of Olga Paproski, Hattertown Rd, Newtown, 2-4 pm, $5, workshop for all ages will incl history of Ukrainian Easter traditions while participants learn how to create Pysanka (Easter eggs decorated in traditional style of wax resist technique), call for list of needed items; 426-4017.

March 20: “Living Beyond The Veil Of Illusion: Practicing Detachment,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free discussion led by yoga center’s executive director & co-founder Janaki Pierson will concern how practicing detachment can help live a more peaceful, happy & fulfilling life, followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

March 21: Anda Styler at Candlewood League of Artists (CLA) meeting, New Fairfield Free Public Library, 2 Brush Hill Rd (Rte 39, just west of Rte 37), New Fairfield, 7-8:30 pm, free & open to non-members, Ms Styler will offer demo of creating a landscape w/ acrylics; 746-1526.

March 21: Open House for Parents, Flanders Nature Center Trail House, Church Hill Rd (at Flanders Rd), Woodbury, 7-8:30 pm, parents invited to meet Flanders naturalist teachers & discover what children ages pre-K to 10 & families can learn after school & on weekends; 203-263-3711.

March 22: Garden Club of Newtown meeting, C.H. Booth Library’s lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1 pm, free & open to non-members, program on ornamental grasses by guest speaker Kathleen Nelson will incl tips on selecting easy-care grasses, combining them w/ other plants to full potential, and whether some grasses can become invasive; 270-1108.

March 24: “Tracking Dinosaurs in Connecticut,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free slide lecture by author Brendan Hanrahan will offer stories of past and present dinosaur discoveries within our state, scientific pioneers who began earliest studies in the state, the link between dinosaurs & modern birds, and more, presented by Lillinonah Audibon Society; 203-263-7670.

March 25: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), no jeans (“dress to impress”); 203-468-1144.

March 25-26: Easter Flower Sale, Sandy Hook Volunteer Fire & Rescue Main Station, Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 10 am-4 pm, large selection of flowers sold by members of SHVF&R Ladies Auxiliary.

March 26: Western CT Orienteering Club Meet, Hoyt Scout Reservation, Marchant Rd, Redding, registration & starts 10 am-noon, $6, instruction & compasses available, set-up will incl 2 sprint courses, a 2-3K course w/ mix of beginner to advance controls, also beginner course; 860-658-7963.

March 26: Ballroom dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, $15, singles & couples welcome, free dance lesson offered at 8, performance at 9:30 by Igor Litviniv & Julia Ivleva, music by DJ Peter Collins, complimentary snacks; 203-374-7308.

March 28: “Reconstructive Surgery: Nose To Toes,” St Rose School Msgr Conroy Room, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free program presented by plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgeon Dr David M. Goldberg will take audience behind the scenes of reconstructive surgery incl pros & cons, question and answer session will follow.

March 31: The Open House for Aldrich Contemporaries, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 6:30-8:30 pm, adm $7, evening dedicated to introducing young professionals to the museum & each other, docent tours of current exhibitions, also info on becoming museum member; 203-438-4519 x11.

Active Singles. Call 860-253-9782.

Hikes for singles ages 30s-50s held 1st & 3rd Sun/month, 9:30-11:30 am, free, hikes available in 4 difficulty levels, no dogs or children: March 20, hikes at Macedonia Brook State Park, Kent.

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

Free programs unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: March 20, American Woodcock Mating Dance, 6 pm, opportunities to witness one of most fascinating displays of courtship in bird kingdom.

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

March 20, discussion, slide presentation & book signing w/ Peter Deleo, program w/ Ridgefield resident & author of Survive! My Fight for Life in The High Sierras. 

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

Programs free unless noted: March 19, Intermediate Computing, 9 am-noon, $10 (registration required), hands-on class incl downloading files, saving photos, email topics incl sending & receiving attachments, also time for Q&A; March 19, Advanced Computer Class, 9 am-noon, $10 (due at registration); March 23, Indian Cooking Class, 11 am and 7:30 pm, $7 supply fee (due at registration), local chef & caterer Kanwal Sakhi will be offering pair of classes, each featuring 3 of her favorite recipes, pick time that’s convenient for you; March 28, “Freedom Quilts & The Underground Railroad,” 7:30 pm, program by Civil War re-enactor Trish Chambers will offer brief history of Underground Railroad & discussion of quilt patterns used by slaves seeking freedom to communicate (rescheduled from Feb 28); April 1, book discussion, 1 pm, concerning In an Uncertain World by Robert E. Rubin, all welcome; April 2, Basic Computing, 9 am-noon, free hands-on class led by staff member from Newtown Computer Training Center w/ focus on keyboards, shortcuts & function keys, mouse skills, getting started on Internet, registration required.

Flagpole Photographers, C.H. Booth Library meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 364-1719, 426-0558.

April 2-3, Annual Flagpole Photographers’ Exhibition & Competition, myriad subjects.

Flanders Nature Center/Van Vleck Farmhouse, Flanders & Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-3711.

Art at The Nature Center, 7:30 pm, $5: March 18, “American America” by Matt Wood, slide show & original photos, drawings & paintings by an artist whose work is inspired by what he sees on travels driving across US.

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

March 19, Annual Maple Sugaring Festival, 11 am-3 pm, full Native American sugaring demos by IAIS educational consultant Jim Dina, servings of pancakes w/ fresh maple syrup (11 am-1 pm only), also special activities for children; March 26, Winter Beading Workshop, 10 am-2 pm, $30, beading artist & IAIS educator Janis Us will lead workshop to make necklace from bead seeds & bugle beads, reservations required.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Call 426-1533.

April 2-3, Hike Trails Opening Weekend, 11 am-5 pm, no charge, vineyard’s hiking trails will open for the season, guided hikes Sat & Sun 12 & 3 followed by wine tastings.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897 or 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: March 19, Al’s Trail in Newtown; March 26, Seaside Park in Bridgeport, hike will be followed by potluck lunch & planning for spring hiking schedule (leader is Ann Kozar, call for food coordination, 374-6679).

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, shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing, sm home accessories & more.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6654.

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: March 23, Gayle Asher, watercolor.

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

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 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: March 23, guest poet TBD (host: John Jeffrey); March 30, Writing Workshop with Faith Vicinanza (open mic host: Alice-Anne).

Theatre ______________

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

Hair, through May 22, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $38.50 & $42.50, discounts available for students & seniors (call for details).

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

A Moon For The Misbegotten, through March 27, curtain Tues & Sun 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $30-$60, discounts for seniors, students & groups; March 20, Sunday Symposium, post-matinee panel discussion featuring artists & scholars discussing issues of Mamet’s play; March 22, Talk-Back Tuesday, post-performance discussion w/ members of cast & creative team.

On Stage II: The Romance of Magno Rubio, March 16-April 3, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $40-$60.

Newtown High School Drama Dept, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Call 426-7983.

Show Boat, April 7-10, curtain Thurs 7 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, call for ticket details, spring production of NHS Drama Department will based on Edna Ferber’s 1926 novel of same name.

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

Romantic Comedy, through April 9, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (April 3 only) 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 students & seniors; call for details about take-away picnics offered by area restaurants.

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

Kimberly Akimbo, through March 19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun (March 6 only) 2 pm, all seats $17.50.

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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, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.