Antiques Shows______

March 29: 16th Annual Country Antiques in CT’s Quiet Corner, Ellis Technical High School, 613 Upper Maple St, Danielson, 10 am-3 pm, adm $6, 50+ dealers participating, gourmet lunch & desserts available; 860-774-8511.

March 30: 41st annual Wilton Historical Society Antiques Show, Wilton High School Field House, Rte 7, Wilton, 10 am-5 pm, adm $10, 70± dealers,

April 5-6: Second Vintage Clothing, Accessories, Textiles & Jewelry Show & Sale, Police Athletic League Building, 25 Hayestown Rd, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm both days, adm $6 adults (good for return visits), free ages 13 & under, refreshments available, 30+ booths filled w/ yesterdays styles in clothing, jewelry, accessories & more, nothing newer than 1980s; 914-273-4667.

 

 

 

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through May 26: “Charlotte Schulz: An Insufficiency in Our Screens,” first solo museum exhibition by artist who participated in Aldrich’s 2003 Radius program features 2- & 3-dimension charcoal drawings that “invite the viewer to explore strange composite architectural spaces in which dreams blend w/ memory & reality.”

Through June 8: “James Prosek: Life & Death – A Visual Taxonomy,” latest work of the CT artist, falling during 300th anniv year of birth of Carl Linnaeus (father of modern taxonomy), incl works depicting 24+ species of birds where artist has replaced the names of birds w/ an alternate taxonomy based on geometric lines & shapes, showing the artist’s great love & respect for natural work while offering viewers an opportunity to consider the real & metaphorical significance of birds.

Through July 27: “Halsey Burgund: ROUND,” audio installation that solicits spoken voice contributions from visitors & use them as part of a musical composition intended to be listened to while viewing the work on view in the galleries.

Through July 27: “Painting the Glass House: Artists Revisit Modern Architecture,” 16-artist group exhibition invites viewers to reconsider modern architecture & what it has come to represent.

Fairfield Arts Council, 70 Sanford St, Fairfield. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm, Sat 1-4 pm. Call 203-319-1419.

Through April 25: “Art… With Found Objects/Arthur Burke Assemblages,” collection of mixed media assemblages by Mr Burke; March 27, brown bag lunch program, 12:30-1:30 pm.

Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Sat-Sun 12-4 pm. Call 860-927-3989.

Through April 13: “Members’ Show,” 100+ works in oil, watercolor, pastel, graphics, also sculpture in various mediums & non-representational work; March 28, opening reception, 5-7 pm; March 29, awards reception, 2-4 pm (awards announced at 3).

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, New Haven, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-865-0400.

Through April 6: “Crosses and Crucifixes,” more than 160 works of art symbolizing the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ through mix of antique & contemporary examples.

Mattatuck Museum Art & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-753-0381.

Through March 30 (exhibition dates extended): “Cover Stories: Quilts and Bed Coverings from Regional Collections,” 30-plus quilts, bed coverings & other needlework, most never before displayed, chronicle the lives of Colonial era families, the development of textile production, sewing machine manufacturing & needle & button making, all circa 1770-1900; March 22, “Sheep To Shawl,” 11 am-4 pm, visit w/ sheep from Roxbury’s Bittersweet Ridge Farm on Waterbury Green (11 am-3 pm), also spinning & weaving in museum (1 pm), unveiling of Community Quilt (3 pm), warm drinks inside museum.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Mon 12-7 pm, Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am-2 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through March 31: “Michael Chelminski: Recent Work,” oils by Bridgewater resident who has been studying the Maine coast for years.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Tues-Fri 11 am-5 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

Through April 27: “Martin Luther King, Jr: Life, Times, and Legacy,” reflection on Dr King’s quest for freedom & equality displays imagery from Civil Rights era incl work by contemporary artists (Elizabeth Catlett, Jeff Donaldson, David Driskell, Terrence Hammonds, Wadsworth Jarrell, Gordon Parks, Alexis Peskine, Sheila Pree-Bright, Faith Ringgold, Betye Saar, Moneta Sleet, Travis Somerville, et al) who examine themes of race & injustice in America.

Through May 11: “Impressionists By The Sea,” exploration of the transformation of Normandy & Brittany coasts as depicted by French artists of 19th Century (incl Monet, Renoir & Manet), compared to works of predecessors (Corot, Courbet, Isabey, Jongkind & Whistler) & contemporaries allied w/ Paris Salon (Boudin, Daubigny & Pelouse), all arranged chronologically, also travel books & postcards of the period, **note: exhibition has addt’l $10 adm fee on top of regular museum adm (plus $3 adm added to all admissions April 24-27, during Fine Art & Flowers).

Through July 13: “Making A Splash: American Beach Fashions, 1850-1920,” complement to “Impressionists By The Sea” offers original costume items plus period photos & prints to explore fashions worn at American seaside during Victorian & Edwardian eras while exploring the roots of American bathing costumes in reform dress for water cures & private exercise, also exploration of beach as a setting for relaxation, public recreation & the promenading of latest fashions on the boardwalk.

Through Nov 9: “Pop To The Present: New Questions, New Responses,” paintings, sculpture, collage, prints, installations & photography from museum’s permanent collection of contemporary art, w/ more than 40 artists represented; March 21, gallery talk, 1 pm; March 28, gallery talk, 1 pm.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through March 31: “Exco Ten: Work of the WAA Exhibition Committee,” selections by Amanda Branson, Marc Chabot, Christopher Clapp, Michael Chelminski, Liz Dexheimer, Philip Grausman, Barbara Grossman, Elizabeth MacDonald, & Fran Patnaude, curated by Barbara von Schreiber.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

Through March 29: “Landscapes by Frank Detrich & Paper Mosaics by Barbara Rust,” oil paintings by Mr Detrich, hand-ripped paper mosaics offering minute detail on large-scale canvases by Ms Rist.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-567-3163.

Through April 19: “Portals,” drawings by Mary Lou Alberetti based on studies & travels through Italy, Spain & Turkey, plus works by her husband Robert Alberetti in oil, collage, mixed media, watercolor & encaustic.

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

Through April 27: “Pearls To Pyramids: British Visual Culture and The Levant, 1600-1830,” complement to “The Lure of The East,” exhibition explores the history of British cultural interchange w/ Middle East through trade, tourism, archaeological exploration & military interest.

Through April 27: “The Lure of the East: British Orientalist Painting, 1830-1925,” approx 90 paintings, prints & drawings that depict sites & subjects that interested British artists, focusing on encounters between 19th Century British artists & the people & places of the Middle East.

Through June 1: “A New World: England’s First View of America,” nearly 100 works by John White, the person most responsible for shaping England’s view of America & its inhabitants after reaching Virginia (present-day North Carolina) in 1585, incl all of White’s drawings of Algonquian Indians, his maps & charts, watercolors of Inuit & North American & West Indian plants & animals, depictions of ancient Britons, also associated works by his contemporaries.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through May 4: “Making It New: The Art and Style of Sara and Gerald Murphy,” exploration of couple who served as inspiration for Fitzgerald’s Tender Is the Night offers all 7 of Mr Murphy’s surviving canvases along w/ paintings, watercolors, drawings & photos by artists within their circle, also personal correspondence & artifacts.

Through May 4: “Colorful Impressions: The Printmaking Revolution in Eighteenth Century France,” more than 100 images from the most groundbreaking period in the history of color printmaking, organized by National Gallery of Art, many presented in multiple impressions or alongside related drawings.

Through June 8: “Master Drawings from the Yale University Art Gallery,” approx 85 drawings from gallery’s collection providing survey of European draftsmanship from late 15th to mid 19th Centuries, ranging from early studies in late medieval model book tradition to beginnings of modern art, in all genres, types & mediums from a range of national schools, offering first full exploration of the works in 30+ years.

 

 

 

 

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Literary Coffeehouse, at Bethlehem Public Library, 32 Main St South, Bethlehem CT 06751. Call 203-266-7251.

April 14: Application deadline for Literary Coffeehouse to be held April 28 at library, writers & readers invited to present their works, will have 10-min limit, send note w/ info about type & title of material, also copy of material to be considered, or call Dorothy Adamson at phone # above for details.

Apple Festival at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd, Monroe. Call 268-4265.

Sept 6-7: Artists & craftspeople invited for annual Apple Festival, to be held on Monroe Green, Sat, Sept 6, 10 am-5 pm & Sun, Sept 7, 10 am-4 pm, contact Judy Hamilton in parish office (phone # above) for details.

 

 

Concerts, Musical Events ____

March 27: Sliabh Notes at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, , tickets $20 adults, $5 children, 7:30 pm, performance by Irish trio Matt Cranitch (fiddle) Donal Murphy (button accordion) and Tommy O’Sullivan (guitar & vocals); 203-256-8453.

 

March 27: David Ross in concert, Congregation Adath Israel, 115 Huntington Rd, Newtown, 8 pm (doors open 7:15), tickets $15/adv, $20/door, group rates available (advance arrangements necessary), performance by musician who mixes rock, pop & soul into “Jewish R&B”; 459-0089.

March 28: Kathleen Kruze & Friends, at Western CT State Univ Alumni Hall, Roberts Ave at Roach Ave (main/downtown campus), Danbury, 8-10 pm (snow date April 18, if campus closes), suggested donation $10, singer-songwriter & guitarist Kruze will be joined by Robin Simmons on bass & background vocals, James Moss on percussion & background vocals, also special guest instrumentalists from WCSU Music Dept, proceeds to benefit Newman Center Campus Youth Ministry; 744-5846.

March 29: The Yale Alley Cats at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, freewill offering, performance by one of nation’s most renowned a cappella groups, also performance by Trinity Choristers, reception to follow; 426-9070.

March 29: Monthly ballroom dance, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, general dancing 7 pm-midnight (free lesson 8 pm), adm $15 incl refreshments, singles & couples welcome, complimentary refreshments, special performances at 9:30 by Lithuanian performers Lyubomir Asenov & Loreta Kriksciukaityte, reservations suggested; 203-374-7308,

March 29: Swing Lessons & Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, doors open 7 pm, adm $15 for dance & 1 lesson, $20 dance & 2 lessons, intro swing fundamentals lesson w/ swing DJ Stretch at 7:30,supplemental swing dance lesson at 8:30, dancing 9:30-midnight, very beginner friendly, no partner required, premium hardwood dance floor in charming, 100+ year old hall, music by swing DJ Stretch, air-conditioned and dehumidified, presented most 1st & 3rd Sundays, hosted by Fair WestSwing Project; 203-522-5341.

March 30: The Kerry Boys at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free performance of Celtic music by group that incl CT State Troubadour Pierce Campbell, light reception to follow; 775-6241 x104.

March 30: Tim Grimm & Joe Crookston at Temple Shearith Israel, 46 Peaceable St, Ridgefield, 7 pm, tickets $15/advance, $20/door, performances by “masterful Storytellers” will continue Acoustic Celebration series; 203-431-6501.

April 5: NUMC Coffee House, 7:45–10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Road, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate Misc listing), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-9998.

Young Persons Concert Series, at Trinity Church, 651 Pequot Ave, Southport. Call 203-254-0123.

Free concerts, 2 pm, suitable for ages 5-17 (usu about an hour long): March 22, Astral Winds.

 

 

 

Films _________________

March 22: The Tribal People of the Northeast, The Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, 2 pm, $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children, screening will launch 6-part film festival featuring TBS series The Native Americans; 860-868-0518.

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

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction? screenings 7 pm:  April 1, Global Warming: The Signs and Science.

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

March 21-27: Alvin and The Chipmunks (PG), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 PM, Mon-Thurs7 pm, mat Fri-Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

 

 

 

 

For Kids & Families _________

March 29: Sleeping Beauty: A Marionette Play for the young child, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Newtown, 11 am, free performance for children ages 3-4 and their parents, reservations requested; 364-1113.

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 22, Easter Craft Workshop, 1-2 pm, $3 material fee, ages 6 & up invited for one-hour workshop w/ Marie Walker.

Young Persons Concert Series, at Trinity Church, 651 Pequot Ave, Southport. Call 203-254-0123.

Free concerts, 2 pm, suitable for ages 5-17 (usu about an hour long): March 22, Astral Winds

 

.

 

Miscellaneous ___________

March 22: SNAN Spring Bake Sale, Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 10 am-2 pm, homemade cakes, cookies, pies, breads, quiches, all-natural dog biscuits, etc, baked donations also welcome, fundraiser presented by Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown; 426-0253, 263-1933.

March 22: Saturday Morning Bird Walk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 9 am, free relaxing walk in search of local birds, all levels of birders welcome, meet in lobby; 734-2513.

March 25: “Bird Migration,” C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1 pm, free presentation by ornithologist Polly Brody will be sponsored by The Garden Club of Newtown, all welcome; 270-1108.

March 25: MFA Lecture Series: Lois Dodd, Western CT State Univ White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am, free lecture by Ms Dodd will continue spring series of lectures by leading contemporary fine artists sponsored by school’s Master of Fine Arts program; 837-8881.

March 28-29: Two-Day Bag Sale, The Thrift Mart of New Milford, 146 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, 10 am-4 pm, clothing $5/bag or $1/item; 860-350-2153.

March 29: “The Shroud of Turin and The Holy Grail,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 3-5 pm, free program by writer & lecturer John White will share latest research & discussion concerning what faithful Christians believe is the burial cloth of Jesus, also its relation to “The Holy Grail”; 203-263-2254.

March 29: Monthly ballroom dance, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, general dancing 7 pm-midnight (free lesson 8 pm), adm $15 incl refreshments, singles & couples welcome, complimentary refreshments, special performances at 9:30 by Lithuanian performers Lyubomir Asenov & Loreta Kriksciukaityte, reservations suggested; 203-374-7308,

March 30: Newtown Spring Welcome Craft Fair, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, 11 am-5 pm, free adm, area crafters participating; 261-2414.

March 30: Tea & Poetry at Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, 7 West St, Danbury, 2-3:30 pm, free event will celebrate Women’s History Month w/ readings from Lynn Tudor Deming, Rebecca Dobson & Doris Henderson, tea & light refreshments will be served; 731-5200.

March 30: “Divinity Within and Practical Techniques for Experiencing It In Daily Life,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free presentation by  Tully Moss will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 263-2254.

March 31: “The History of Stevenson Dam,” North Branch Library, 3455 Madison Ave, Bridgeport, 6:30 pm, free presentation will be part of Bridgeport Community Historical Society meeting, public/non-members welcome; 203-371-6397.

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

March 25, Searching for Shakespeare – Macbeth lecture, 7 pm, presented by Dr Mark Schenker; March 26, Author Talk & Book Signing w/ Martin Margulies, 7 pm, Newtown resident will discuss his new book, The Battle of Prestonpans 1745; March 27, Searching for Shakespeare – Macbeth discussion, 7 pm, led by Prof Bill O’Connell; April 1, Non-Fiction Book Discussion, The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell, all welcome.

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

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 10 am (winter start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: March 22, Kettletown State Park, Southbury (Pat Callan, 264-2153); March 29, Pequonnock Valley Trail, Trumbull, shot hike followed by spring hike scheduling & potluck lunch (hike leader is Rita Qubick, 268-4119; call Liz Schultz for food coordination, 203-260-9119).

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.

Programs 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: March 26, landscape in watercolor demo by Frank Federico.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6224.

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6-8 pm (weigh-ins 6-6:45, meetings 7-8), meetings $2/week, membership $24/year.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: March 22, Michael Pettit headlining, Jim Mendrinos & Tony Liberati opening; March 29, Jim Dailakis headlining, Matt Burke opening.

Shows at Ocean Grille, 464 Boston Post Rd, Orange (call 203-795-4588), show at 10 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: March 22, Gilbert Gottfried, with Darryl Knight opening, shows at 8 & 10 pm, tickets $25.

 

 

 

 

Theatre ______________

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

The Sunshine Boys, March 28-April 19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (April 6 & 13) 2 pm, tickets $22 adults, $18 seniors & students.

 

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items 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.

 

 

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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, Associate Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 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.