Antiques Shows______

March 29: Indoor Antiques Show, Madison Town Gym, Madison, 9 am-4 pm, adm $4, 40 dealers; 203-245-7394, 888-353-0552.

March 29-30: 29th edition Cheshire Academy Antiques Show, Cheshire Academy, Rtes 10 & 68, Cheshire, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 10:30 am-4 pm, adm $5.50; 860-342-2540.April 5-6: Garden Antiques Show & Sale, All Saints Catholic School, 139 West Rocks Rd, Norwalk, Sat 10 am-5 pm (early buying 9 am, $10), Sun 11 am-5 pm, regular show adm $6, partial proceeds to benefit Parents & Friends of Lower Fairfield County; 203-222-2259.

April 6: Phonograph-Music Box-Record Show, The Inn at Ethan Allen, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 7 am-3 pm; 330-325-7866.

April 6: Yankee Pole Cat Insulator Club Antique Insulator, Bottle & Collectibles Show, American Legion Hall, 566 Enfield St/Rte 5, Enfield, 8 am-2 pm, adm $1; 860-649-0477.

April 6: Windham Antiques & Collectibles Show, Windham High School, 355 High St, Windham, 10 am-3 pm, adm $3.50; 860-456-2178.

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 April 27, “Janice Caswell: New Work,” colorful iconic maps by Ms Caswell, consisting of hole-punched paper, collage, marker, acrylic & pins arranged on white background, offer glimpses of places both real & imagined.

Through April 27, “Mark Dion: Full House,” first major New York area solo exhibition of an internationally-recognized American artist (& winner of 2001 Larry Aldrich Foundation Award) offers 7 major installations incl selection of 80+ drawings, collections of artist’s journals ca 1983-present, 1,000 cubit foot Vivarium (22-foot-long fallen tree-turned-home for moss, lichen & insects).

*(new show) April 6-May 14, “Play,” paintings, sculpture, photography, videos, drawings & mixed media installations by junior & senior high school students curated by fellow high school students, all participants in museum’s Art Lab program; April 6, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun 12-4:30 pm. Call 203-331-1104.

*(new show) April 1-June 30, “Double Vision: The Circus Series,” black & white photos by the award-winning photographer Kimberly Gremillion featuring 8 dark, shadowy images of circus performers displayed on transparent screens & 25 printed enlargements; May 9, lecture & book signing event by Ms Gremillion, call for start time & ticket price.

Beaux Arts Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: M-F 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-263-3939.

Through April 27, “Lasting Impressions,” new works by Anda Styler offering a departure in that the artist is presenting “perfect memories of perfect places”; March 29, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs 4:30-9 pm, Fri-Sat 12-9 pm, Sun 11-4 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

Through April 13, “Up Up And Away,” Bethel School Traveling Art Show offers collection of 13 pcs, one each to represent each grade in town’s public school system, coupled with BAJ member works.

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.

Through March 31, “Fiber Art In Motion,” annual exhibition of quilts by Scrapbag Quilt Artist’s Group features 20 pcs, traditional to contemporary, w/ each pc inspired by the maker’s interpretation of the show’s theme.

Through March 31, stamps from collection of Brookfield Philatelic Society.

Brookfield Historical Society, Rtes 133 & 25, Brookfield Center. Hours: 2md & 4th Sat/month 12-4 pm, also by appt. Call 740-8140.

Through March 31, “Brookfield Through Photographs,” images highlighting town’s historic structures, events & families, also special section devoted to many of town’s 155 Brookfield suffragettes (in honor of March as Women in History Month).

Corners Frame Shop, 68 Newtown Rd, Danbury. Call 730-2441.

Through March 31, illustrations by Andrew Goldstein w/ subject matter incl history, myths, folklore & metaphorical imagery.

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

 *(new show) Through April 10, “Annual Student Art Exhibition,” works by SHU students in illustration, graphic design, drawing & painting areas of concentration incl 58 works in digital design, charcoal, oil, acrylic & watercolor painting, pencil drawing & mixed media.

Grey Horse Gallery, 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34 (in old Masonic Temple, 1st floor; behind St John’s Episcopal Church), Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Permanent display of oils & pastels by Dick McEvoy.

Ruth A. Haas Library, 181 Main St (WCSU main campus), Danbury. Hours: Mon-Thurs 8 am-11 pm, Fri 8 am-4 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 1-9 pm. Call 837-9100.

*(new show) Through May 25, “The Fantastic Voyage,” works by science fiction artist Vincent Di Fate, fantasy artist Tom Kidd & fantasy & science fiction artist Michael Whelan.

Housatonic Art League, New Milford Railroad Station, 11 Railroad St, New Milford. Hours: Daily 12-4 pm. Call 860-355-0349.

Through March 30, annual spring show featuring work by local artists in oils/acrylics, water media, pastel, graphics, mixed media, photography & sculpture.

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

Through March 31, “The Progression of Indigenous People’s Weaponry: Technology and Mythology,” ancient weapons from museum’s ethnographic collection & Gunn Memorial Library & Museum (also in Washington) incl war clubs, powder horns, bows & arrows, rifle covers & coup sticks.

Through March 31, regalia & bead accessories by Janice Us & clothing by Ann Lowe-Salmon.

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

*(new show) Opening March 29, new permanent exhibition “Fortune’s Story/Larry’s Legacy,” new research findings offer details about skeleton of African-American slave who lived in Waterbury during late 1700s; March 29, opening celebration incl Libation Ceremony performed by Sounds of Africa, noon, also reading by CT Poet Laureate Marilyn Nelson of The Manumission Requiem, program (*at 2:30) by historical role player Guy Peartree about Frederick Douglass, suitable for families/all ages; March 29, “Let My Bones Speak For Themselves,” 7 pm, interpretation of Fortune’s thoughts & feelings by historical role player Guy Peartree (encore performance planned for March 30); March 30, “Let My Bones Speak For Themselves,” 2 pm, see March 29 program details, 2nd performance followed by Q&A session w/ historian Frank Mitchell & museum staff; April 3, “The Historian and The Archaeologist Build A Picture of The Past – Slavery in Connecticut: Fortune’s Bones Tell His Life,” 7 pm, program by Hamilton College asst prof of history Peter Hinks & CT asst state archaeologist & CCSU assoc prof of archaeology (CCSU) Warren Perry.

Ridgefield Guild of Artists (RGA) Gallery, Halpin La, Ridgefield. Hours: Thurs-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-438-8863.

*(new show) March 30-April 19, “Winners’ Circle,” annual group exhibition featuring works by winners of Annual Juried Show will incl works by Ann Bridgman, Lynne Cheson, Veronica Day, Ann Kromer, Susan Margolis, Bart Mauceri, Jr, Plonia Nixon, Gian Ontaneda, Bitty O’Sullivan Smith & Renee Santhouse; March 30, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Thirteen Gallery, 13 Library Place, Danbury. Hours: Tues-Fr 7-10 pm, Sat-Sun 12-4 pm, & by appt. Call 790-6754, 845-278-0968.

*(new show) April 4-May 17, “10 At 13: Works On Paper,” exploration of drawing practices by contemporary artists incl draftsman Chris Durante, collage artists John Roleke & Bob Ajar, paper panel & scroll artist Eva Lee, sculptor Margaret Roleke, & painters Mary Dwyer, Melinda Hackett, Elizabeth Hazen, Kathryn Lynch & Laura Watt.

Walsh Art Gallery at Quick Center, Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-254-4000 x2969.

*(new show) April 2-May 4, “2003 Student Art Exhibit,” juried show features work of FU studio art students incl multimedia installations, paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography & printmaking “reflecting individuality of expression & uniqueness of process.”

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm (closed Wed), Sun 2-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through March 30, landscapes & still lifes by Constance LaPalombara, landscapes of American West by Justin Kim & new paintings depicting human figure & some recent lyrical landscapes by Lisa Hess-Hesselgrave.

Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Tues & Thurs 10 am-9 pm, Sun 1-5 pm.

Through March 31, “Clay, Oil & Water,” pottery, oils & watercolor paintings by Carol Gereg.

*(new show) April 1-30, “The Italian Experience,” poetic photographs by Rita L. Frost & Francis J. Caro; April 6, opening reception, 2-4:30 pm.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-2800.

Through March 30, “Romantics & Revolutionaries: Regency Portraits from the National Portrait Gallery, London,” more than 70 portraits of charismatic & engaging personalities from the Regency era (1790-1830), all drawn from collection of Nat’l Portrait Gallery.

Through March 30, “The Romantic Print in The Age of Revolutions,” portrait, subject & narrative prints by artists incl West, Fuseli, J.M.W. Turner, Blake & Martin (meant as complement for “Romantics & Revolutionaries”).

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts/Promenade Gallery, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford. Call 860-987-5929.

March 31: Applications due from CT artists wishing to exhibit work during 2003-04 season, applicants must submit application form, 10 slides, résumé, artistic statement & SASE, contact Susan Finnegan for application & details at above #.

Musicals at Richter, Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury. Call 746-8430.

April 10: Auditions for theater alumni interested in participating 2003 Mainstage performances, by appt only (call to make appt).

April 11-13: Open adult auditions for 2003 Mainstage performances (My Fair Lady, June 19-July 5; Once On This Island, July 10-26; H.M.S. Pinafore, July 31-Aug 16; also 2-night cabaret revue It’s A Musical World, dates TBA), prepare 2 Broadway show tunes (uptempo & ballad) that show range, bring sheet music in key & be prepared to sing best 16 measures if necessary (Pinafore auditions can incl light opera repertoire), accompanist provided, also be prepared to learn short dance combo & to read from script, bring photo & resume if possible.

April 12: Performers ages 7-15 sought for Fairy Tale Theater, open auditions will incl reading but not necessarily singing; small number of children also sought for Mainstage shows (one role for 9-12-year old singing & dancing girl in Once On This Island, also sev openings for ages 9-12 singers & dancers in My Fair Lady).

Concerts, Musical Events ____

March 28: The Joe Carter Trio at Edgarton Center for Performing Arts at Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, 7:30 pm, tickets $8, evening of Brazilian jazz; 203-374-2777.

March 28: The Muraski Duo at Danbury Music Centre’s Marian Anderson Recital Hall, 256 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $10, performance by music faculty from Luther College (Iowa) will be benefit for Danbury Music Center, performance followed by reception w/ musicians; 748-1716.

March 29: “WiltonWaterWorks Festival: 3rd Annual Evening of the Arts Fundraiser,” Wilton High School Performing Arts Center, 395 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 5 pm, tickets $45 adults, $20 students, $20 ages 65+, premiere of Chris Brubeck’s WaterWorks (using poetry of Wilton K-12 students) performed by WiltonWaterWorks Orchestra, also Wilton High School, Middlebrook & Cider Mill School singers, Wilton Singers, opera star Benjamin Luxon will narrate student poems, performance by Triple Play, student artwork exhibit, pre-concert house tour (call for details, additional ticket prices), proceeds benefit Wilton Library; 203-792-3960.

March 29: “Ridgefield Opera Company Spring Gala: Cinderella’s Ball,” Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 8 pm, call for ticket details, hear established stars Michael Sylvester & William Joyner along w/ rising stars during gala evening to raise funds for ROC; 203-438-5795.

April 1: Newark Boys Chorus and Fairfield County Jewish Chorale at Sacred Heart University’s Univ Commons, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield, 7:30 pm, free; 203-365-7592.

April 1: Chamber Music at Yale: The Fine Arts Quartet, at Battell Chapel, College St at Elm, New Haven, tickets $24-$29 adults, $13 students, $5 rush, call for start time, works of Evans, Dohnanyi & Schumann; 203-432-4157, 203-432-4158.

April 4: Brown Bag Concerts: Pianist Donald Alfano, Creative Music & Arts, 731 Main St/Rte 25, Monroe, 12-1 pm, free performances, bring lunch & enjoy music of Bach, Beethoven, Ginastera & Chopin; 261-7301.

April 4: Award-winning story-teller, singer & songwriter Bill Harley at Pomperaug High School, Judd Rd, Southbury, 7 pm, tickets $10 adults, $7 students, proceeds benefit Friends of Pomperaug Music, Inc; 264-4589.

April 5: Newtown United Methodist Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:30 pm, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see details under Miscellaneous), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-0617.

April 5: Yale Symphony Orchestra concert, at Woolsey Hall, Grove St at College St, New Haven, 8 pm, tickets $8 adults, $5 students, guests Yale Camerata & pianist Peter Frankl, all-Mozart program will incl Mass in C minor & Piano Concerto No 25; 203-432-4157, 203-432-4158.

April 5: “The Essential Durufle” by Waterbury Chorale, at St John’s Episcopal Church, on the green/16 Church St at West Main St, Waterbury, 8 pm, tickets $18 adult/adv, $12 ages 12 & under/adv, all tickets at door $20, performance of Durufle’s Requiem (Opus 9) & Four Motets (Opus 10) w/ chorale accompanied by Waterbury Chorale Festival Brass; 264-7120, 203-755-2561.

April 6: Hot For Hollywood: CGMC Spring Production at WCSU/Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, tickets $22 & $27, salute to & send-up of the best & worst of Hollywood musicals from early MGM to Chicago as done by CT Gay Men’s Chorus; 800-644-2462.

April 6: Forte String Quartet at St Margaret’s-McTernan School (lower school building), 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 3 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students, $5 ages 12 & under, guest pianist Rami Haxhi will join quartet for works of Beethoven, Skoryk & Shostakovich; 203-754-5590.

Danbury Concert Assn, WCSU/Ives Concert Hall, Fifth Ave at White St, Danbury. Call 748-0522.

Subscription $32 (good for all season), students age 18 & under free, guests (attending w/ member) $12, post-performance receptions w/ performers: April 5, The Weilerstein Trio (violinist Donald Weilerstein, pianist Vivian Hornik Weilerstein & cellist Alisa Weilerstein), 8 pm, performance by husband-wife-daughter trio currently serving as trio-in-residence at New England Conservatory of Music will incl works of Dvorak, Haydn & selections from Piazzola’s The Seasons.

Hartford Symphony Orchestra, The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford. Call 860-246-6807.

April 3, “Scherzo! (What’s The Joke?)” 7:30 pm, tickets $29-$39, guest conductor & host Edward Cumming leads concert/mini-history on brisk, light-hearted symphonic movement embraced by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Dvorak, et al; April 12, performance by vocalist Ann Hampton Callaway, 8 pm, tickets $10-$55, highlights from “reigning queen of cabaret world” will sing highlights from acclaimed recording of standards made famous by Ella Fitzgerald.

Ives Concert Hall at WCSU, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

April 6, Hot For Hollywood: CGMC Spring Production, 3 pm, tickets $22 & $27, salute to & send-up of the best & worst of Hollywood musicals from early MGM to Chicago as done by CT Gay Men’s Chorus (call 800-644-2462)

Newtown Friends of Music, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $15, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: April 6, Quartetto di Venezia, music by Italian composers incl string quartets by Boccherini, Vivaldi, Verdi & Puccini.

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

April 4, Fairfield University Dance Ensemble Spring Dance Recital, 8 pm, tickets $8 adults, $5 students, performance by 35± students; April 5, cellist Maya Beiser & pianist Anthony de Mare, 8 pm, tickets $24-$30, evening of Tango-infused music; April 11, “St Luke’s Chamber Ensemble: A Schubert Sandwich,” 8 pm, tickets $30, program of Schubert’s String Trio in B-flat, Haydn’s Divertimento in C Major, then Schubert’s Quintet in A Major.

Films _________________

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

March 28-April 3: Chicago (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4:15 pm; The Pianist (R), daily 6:40 & 9:20 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm; The Quiet American (R), daily 7:20 & 9:40 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10, 3:10 & 5:15 pm; A View From The Top (PG-13), daily 7:30 & 9:50 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30, 3:30 & 5:30 pm.

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

March 28: April Morning, 7 pm, free screening of film based on book by Howard Fast being featured in current NewtownREADS program, buttered popcorn and post-screening discussion.

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

March 28-April 2: Maid In Manhattan (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

March 28-30: Snoopy! The Musical, Newtown Middle School auditorium, Queen St, Newtown, performances Fri-Sat 7 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $8 adults, $5 children, spring production by NMS Drama Club; 426-7638.

April 5: “Easter Egg Dyeing” at Glebe House Museum, Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 9-11 am, $5/child, pre-registration requested, ages 7 & up invited to use some of same materials children of 18th Century Woodbury would have used for dyeing wool & flax to dye Easter eggs, part of museum’s season-opening celebrations; 203-263-2855.

April 6: “Yale Concert Band: Music For Children,” at Woolsey Hall, College St at Grove St, New Haven, 2 pm, free performance will incl Thomas C. Duffy’s interpretation of Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel; 203-432-4111.

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: April 6, Exploring Vernal Pools for Families, 2-3:30 pm, listen for frog calls & look for evidence of animal activity using nets & ID guides to explore pools & get close looks at spring breeders & their egg masses, learn about vernal pools incl why they are important to frogs, salamanders & other animals, designed for elementary school children & their parents.

Beardsley Zoological Gardens, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

Zoo adm is $7 adults, $5 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, programs included w/ adm: April 12, Pet Awareness Day, 12-3 pm, presentations on pet care & safety by several animal adoption & animal rescue organizations, also crafts for kids & other surprises; April 14-18, “Backyard Beasts: spring school vacation programs,” 2-2:45 pm, 2-2:45 pm daily, children grades K-elementary age & families can enjoy interactive programs focusing on different animals each day.

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

Free programs (unless specified): April 5, “Music with Marcia,” 2-3 pm, program suitable for all ages features musician Marcia Louis performing American folk songs, telling stories & presenting music & dance while performing on an array of instruments; April 6, discussion of April Morning, 2 pm, family discussion of featured book for NewtownREADS program aimed at readers grades 5 & up & their parents.

Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4505, 797-4528 (Jr Library Dept).

Programs, free: March 30, Book Voyagers, 2 pm, free one-hour family book discussion of Coping: Deal With It.

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

Double Feature: Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs, through April 13, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $11.50.

Quick Center for the Arts/Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Young Audience Series, performances 1 & 3 pm, tickets $10 adults, $8 children (series tickets & senior discounts available), performances appropriate for grades K-4: April 6, The Nightingale, Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration on Tour offers dance/theater adaptation of Hans Christensen Andersen’s tale.

Miscellaneous ___________

March 29: NBLA Country Dance & Supper, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 6-10:30 pm, tickets $20/advance, $25/door, presented by Newtown Bridle Lands Assn will incl live music by Out On A Whim And Friends, proceeds to benefit NBLA Equine Scholarship Fund in memory of Linda Sousa; 426-6334.

March 29: 18th Annual Breath of Spring Craft Show, New Fairfield High School, Gillotti Rd, New Fairfield, 9 am-3 pm, 75 artisans of Northeast, also baked goods, refreshments, photos w/ Easter Bunny; 746-9561.

March 29: “Being A Soldier in the American Civil War,” St Thomas’s Church, Rte 302, Bethel, 1-4 pm, free re-enactment of recruitment drive in late 1862 for new members of 79th New York Cameron Highlanders by Venture Crew 79 (local enthusiasts ages 14-20), also discussion on Civil War re-enactments, participation in recent feature Gods and Generals, info on upcoming public events in state, etc; 746-5400.

March 29: Annual St Mary School “Fiesta” Auction, Stony Hill Inn, Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, viewing & silent auction begins 6 pm, live auction begins at 8, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert, proceeds benefit Bethel-based school; 748-3776.

March 30: Newtown Neighborhood Kitchen Tour, 12-4 pm, tickets $10, eight Newtown kitchens open for showcase of style, equipment and decorative diversity, sponsored by Newtown Residential Preservation Society; 270-9344, 426-0597.

March 30: “Thinking Into Being: How We Create Our Own Reality,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by center co-founder & executive director Janaki Pierson followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

April 3: “Goodyear’s Legacy,” Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, noon, bring light lunch (dessert & beverages provided), program by assistant curator Raechal Guest will present elasticity of Charles Goodyear’s inventions, reservations requested, part of weekly “History Bites: Putting A Face on History” series; 203-753-0381.

April 4: Meet & Mingle: Newtown Singles, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-9 pm; 261-4210.

April 4: 2nd Annual Hotter Than Heck Fest, Golden Age of Trucking Museum, Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury, 7-10:30 pm, tickets $35, food expo w/ emphasis on hot & spicy foods (some chefs will be offering otherwise), also beer tastings, 25-30 chefs & restaurants will be represented, event will benefit Waterbury Youth Services; 203-573-0264.

April 4-5: “Audition For Murder: An Interactive Murder Mystery,” Elks Club, 346 Main St, Danbury, 7-10 pm, $50, buffet dinner, cash bar, murder-mystery concerns a star murdered as director begins auditioning extras for feature film to be shot in Danbury, partial proceeds will benefit Kiwanis Club; 791-8255.

April 5: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner incl salad, desserts, and soft drinks/coffee raises funds each month for church, all welcome, coffee house/musical event follows (see details under Concerts); 426-0617.

April 5: Art Auction, United Methodist Church of Monroe, 515 Cutlers Farm Rd, Monroe, preview 7-8 pm, sale begins 8 pm, tickets $10/person, $15/couple, conducted by Ross Galleries, costume framed & matted artwork by familiar names, refreshments & door prizes, proceeds benefit church’s “mission projects near & far”; 261-0640, 268-8395.

April 5: Book signing celebration for author Joe Truini, at Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury, 12-2 pm, Roxbury resident & author is celebrating release of Building a Shed, copies available for purchase at library; 860-354-9720 (book details), 860-350-2181 (library).

April 6: Stages reading of Grace and Glorie, Westover School, Rte 188/on the green, Middlebury, 3 pm, tickets $10, performance/reading by Broadway actor Lenka Peterson & Westover director of drama Marla Truini, directed by veteran actor Jack Gilpin, will benefit restorations to school’s performing arts facilities, afternoon also to incl silent auction featuring autographed copy of Miller’s The Crucible (also of actors Liam Neeson & Laura Linney, from Broadway run), refreshments; 203-577-4597.

April 7: Sierra Club/Housatonic Valley Group meeting, Newtown Congregational Church House, 41-A Main St/Rte 25 (behind general store), Newtown, 7:30 pm, free & open to non-members, slide program on “The Alaska Rainforest & The Arctic Wildlife Refuge” by guest speaker Laure Cooper (member, Coalition in Alaska); 723-7208, 775-9644.

April 7: BookTalk program, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free discussion of New England Gardener’s Guide led by co-authors Jacqueline Heriteau Hubbard & Holly Hunter Stonehill, recognized gardening experts & authors (also mother & daughter); 264-1716, 262-6123.

April 9: Newtown Congregational Church Women’s Fellowship Pot Luck Supper, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 6 pm, adm is covered dish to share or $5, reservations needed (but event open to public), presentation by Robert Dilzer on “A Crash Course on World Religions”; 426-9781, 426-8783.

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

Aldrich Book Club, $2, discussions as follows: April 10, discussion of Cynthia Saltzman’s Portrait of Dr Gachet: The Story of A Van Gogh Masterpiece, Money, Politics, Collectors, Greed and Loss, 7 pm.

Stage A: Poetry, open mic poetry readings w/ musical accompaniment incl dance & orig song also welcomed, Fri 7-9 pm, tickets vary (incl wine & light refreshments): April 3, David Sedaris, 7:30 pm at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, tickets $35.

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: March 31, Evening Woodcock Walk, begins 6 pm, $5, hike to center’s meadows to see & hear “sky dance” of male American woodcock; April 1, Nature Walk for Adults, 9 am, $5, learn to identify early spring birds & wildflowers, participate in Project Feeder Watch, look for animal tracks & other signs of animal activity, bring binoculars if possible; April 6, Evening Woodcock Walk, begins 6 pm, $5, hike to center’s meadows to see & hear “sky dance” of male American woodcock.

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

Programs free unless noted: March 29, “Family Snapshot: Beginning A Memoir,” 9 am-noon, registration requested, free workshop by Liz Arneth & Andrea Zimmermann will teach skills for writing life story, creating written legacy of family, reaffirming family identity & just trying something new; April 1, Daytime Non-Fiction Book Group, 1 pm, discussion of Robert B. Stinnett’s Day of Deceit: The Truth About FDR & Pearl Harbor, newcomers always welcome; April 2, discussion of NewtownREADS title April Morning, noon, led by Paula Toi & Helen Bonson; April 4, “The Rainbow Contained: A Celebration with Sydney Eddison,” 7 pm, reception & book signing w/ Newtown-based master gardener & author Sydney Eddison will incl talk & slide program, also book signing w/ Ms Eddison, refreshments, hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown; April 6, poetry reading & author program w/ Gerard Brooker, 2 pm, Mr Brooker will be reading from his release A Quiet Conversation; April 6, discussion of April Morning, 2 pm, family discussion of featured book for NewtownREADS program aimed at readers grades 5 & up & their parents; April 7, Brown Bag Book Discussion, noon, discussion of April Morning, featured book for NewtownREADS program, led by Cecilia Dalzell; April 9, discussion of NewtownREADS program title April Morning, 7:30 pm, led by Terry Stoller.

Borders Books*Music*Café, 110 Federal Rd, Danbury. Call 798-1100.

Free public programs: April 1, Scrabble Club meeting, 7:30 pm, beginners to experts welcome for rounds of America’s favorite word game, meets in café; April 2, Happily Hooked… on Crochet, 10 am & 7 pm, learn new projects & share your own among others who enjoy needleworking; April 6, “With or Without Song: A Memoir,” 2 pm, presentation by David Eliscu, son of the late Edward Eliscu, will present program w/ recordings, photos & memories of his father in conjunction w/ release of Eliscu’s memoir; April 7, book discussion group, 7 pm, discussion of Sacred Contracts by Carolyn Myss, all welcome.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Hours: 10 am-4 pm daily (April 1-Nov 26). Call 778-8337.

1st Sat each month (April-Nov), Rail Yard Local, adm to msm incl rides through rail yard in 1920s era passenger coach w/ stop on state’s only operating turntable. (see Arts listings for permanent exhibit info)

Wednesday Evening Events series, 7:30-8:30 pm, sm donation requested, programs follow weekly museum member meetings, subjects as follows: April 2, “New Hope & Ivyland” by Dan Gallo, Jr; April 9, “Scenery” by Steve Mayerson.

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

Misc programs: April 2, Wednesday Wanderings: Frog Eggs & Amphibian Life Histories, 9:30 am, free weekly program led by Ronnie Kamphausen through woods, fields & trails of center, bring nets for pond catch-and-releases.

Kismet, programs at Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 748-3125.

March 30, “Conversations with The Other Side,” 4-6 pm, $20 & pre-registration required, clairvoyant, spiritual medium & author Cheri Scheinin will lead program.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897, 270-4340.

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome, bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: March 29, Seaside park, short hike followed by spring hike planning session & potluck luncheon, call for food coordination (Ann Kozar, 203-374-6679).

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 (separate door for thrift shop), shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing & sm home accessories, etc.

Quick Center for the Arts, at Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Open Visions Forum Series, lectures by guest speakers, tickets $15, $10 seniors, $5 students: April 7, humanitarian & hostage negotiator Terry Waite, 7:30 pm.

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-2282.

Free programs: March 29, Friends of The Library Book & Bake Sale, 9 am-5 pm, used paperbacks & children’s books.

Sacred Grounds/Trinity Productions workshops, 24 Alpine Circle, Sandy Hook or Brookfield Commons, 246 Federal Rd, Suite C-23A, Brookfield (call for location), or by appt, or in-home by appt. Call 426-9448.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: March 28, Touched By Angels, 7:30 pm, $10, Rev Nancy Lawrence leads evening of spirituality, prayer & healing.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meetings, 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 $20/year.

Theatre ______________

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

Swing! through May 18, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $34-$42, discounts for seniors (5:30 shows), students & groups, rush tickets 30 min before shows.

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

Mainstage: Paper Doll, through April 6, curtain Tues 7 pm, Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 4 & 8:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, also Wed (March 28 & April 2 only) 2 pm, tickets $15-$47.50, discounts for students & seniors (call for details); April 1, post-performance discussion of play’s topics w/ actors, director and/or designer.

Newtown Middle School Drama Club, NMS auditorium, Queen St, Newtown. Call 426-7638.

Snoopy! The Musical, March 28-30, curtain Fri-Sat 7 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $8 adults, $5 children.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

Lost In Yonkers, through April 6, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$35.

Ain’t Misbehavin’, April 10-May 18, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$35.

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

Sylvia, though March 29, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & students, cabaret-style seating (BYO drinks & snacks).

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 39 (behind firehouse), Sherman. Call 860-354-3622.

Weird Romance, April 11-May 3, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $13 seniors & students.

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

Art, through March 22, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (March 9 only) 2 pm, tickets $15.

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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 prints; please call for details concerning photo files to be emailed.