Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (through mid-Dec): 38th Season Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, 787 Main St South (Rte 6, near Rte 64), Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec 11): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1; 508-896-1975.

April 10: Yankee Pole Cat Insulator Club Annual Antique Insulator, Bottle & Collectibles Show, American Legion Post #80, 556 Enfield St/Rte 5, Enfield, 8 am-2 pm, free adm, 40 tables will be set up, also insulator display w/ rare & unique insulators from past 100 years; 860-649-0477.

April 10: Windham Antiques & Collectibles Show, Windham High School cafeteria, 355 High St, Willimantic, 10 am-3 pm (preview 9 am, $5); 860-456-2178.

April 15-17: First Annual Great Danbury Antiques Fair, PAL Building, 25 Hayestown Rd, Danbury, Fri preview party 6-9 pm (adm $30, reservations requested), regular show hours Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, adm $6, 57 dealers w/ wide variety of styles & offerings, proceeds will benefit museum & historical society; 743-5200.

April 16: Political Collectors Show, Holiday Inn, 210 Washington Ave, North Haven, 8:30 am-4 pm, adm $5, sponsored by American Political Items Collectors; 860-673-1787.

April 16-17: Westchester Glass Club 2005 Collectors’ All Glass Show & Sale, Greenwich Civic Center, Old Greenwich, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $7 (free parking), 60 nat’l dealers participating, also ID booth, glass repair, special presentation on “Patrick F, Slane, America’s Forgotten Glassmaker” by author & lecturer Joan Kaiser; 203-966-1777, 973-763-4524.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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.

*(new show) April 9-May 15: “For All Seasons,” new paintings by Deborah Dargaty in pastel, watercolor & acrylics, all depicting floral scenes; April 9, opening reception (w/ live music by Foxy), 6-9 pm.

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 — *(new show) Through April 30: “Flagpole Photographers Camera Club’s Annual Members’ Exhibition,” photos in color, black & white and digitally created by members of Newtown’s photography club.

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.

Branchville Gallery, 14 West Branchville Rd, Ridgefield. Hours: Fri 11 am-2 pm, Sat-Sun 2-5 pm & by appt. Call 203-544-8332.

*(new show) April 8-May 22: kinetic sculpture by Drew Klotz & sm watercolors & lg acrylic paintings by Melinda Hackett – artists created these works to complement each other; April 8, opening reception, 7-9 pm; April 28, gallery talk by Ms Hackett, 7 pm.

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

*(new show) April 10-May 22: “How They Felt: Contemporary Feltmaking,” work by some of the country’s leading feltmaking artists & emerging feltmakers incl Beth Beede, Sharon Costello, Carol Cypher, Alexa Ginsberg, Chad Alice Hagen, Linda Brooks Hirschman, Thomas Horst, Jorie Johnson, Camille Ludlow, Gail Crosman Moore, Theresa May O’Brien, Karen Page, Cathy Rogers, Roz Spier, Pat Spark, Nicole Chazaud Telaar, Jeannie Thomma, Linda VanAlstyne, Chris White, & Lucy Zercher; April 10, curator’s gallery talk, 3 pm, guest curator & fiber artist Chris While will discuss history of feltmaking, how the material is made & how contemporary artists are using the material.

City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Court, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues 12-5 pm, Wed-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 11 am-2 pm & by appt. Call 203-334-7748.

*(new show) Through May 22: “Emergency,” one-year anniversary show at gallery & frame shop will offer works by local artists Roland Becerra, Kelly Bigelow-Becerra, Janine Brown, Sarah French, Jeff Gall, Ann Holley, Carol Leskowitz, Tyson Skross, Allyson Smith, Jodiann Strmiska & Trevor Youngberg.

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.

Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm, Sun 12-10 pm. Call 203-266-4663.

*(new show) April 13-June 13: “Brain Waves,” recent paintings – “spontaneous, often whimsical commentaries in acrylic about himself, society & the world around him – by the Roxbury-based artist Michael Rivera; April 17, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Highstead Arboretum, 127 Lonetown Rd, Redding. Call 203-938-8809.

*(new show) April 16-May 16: “Highstead Portfolio: Photographs by Birgit Freybe Bateman,” images ranging from expansive landscapes to enchanting details by Ms Bateman; April 16, opening reception, 2-5 pm (brief gallery talk by Ms Bateman at 2:30).

Miller Studio & Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Mon-Tues by chance or appt. Call 203-263-3939.

Through May 5: “Life Imitated,” still lifes by Jean O’Brien & John Schieffer, each of whom has very different interpretations of the genre.

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.

*(new show) April 10-May 8, “New York Moments,” New York City-themed paintings by the Goshen-based artist Frank Federico; April 10, opening reception, 1-4 pm.

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

The Silo Gallery, 44 Upland Rd, New Milford. Hours: Wed-Mon 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-355-0300.

*(new show) April 9-May 8: “Quilts: The Fabric of Our Lives,” modern & traditional quilts, also wearable & textile art, by local & regional quilters (incl Karen Eckmeier, Newtown resident & long-arm machine quilter Mary Eddy/The Jelly Bean Quilter, Tobi Andrews, fabric artist Ellen Purdy, Krista Botsford, et al), also a quilt designed by students at John Pettiibone Elementary School of New Milford, plus several historic pcs loaned from New Milford Historical Society & Silo gallery director Jessica Stewart; April 9, opening reception, 3-5 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.

Through April 17: “Cleve Gray: A Special Memorial Exhibition,” celebration of the late Connecticut artist will offer a selection of his large abstract canvases.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through April 24: “Members’ Show 2005,” works by developing artists & longstanding gallery-represented members, works incl drawings, paintings in oil, acrylic & watercolor, plus sculpture & pottery.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Visitor Center Hours: winter hours (effective Nov 15) Thurs-Sun 9:30 am-5 pm. Call 203-834-1896.

Through May 1: “Artists At Weir Farm: The Woodlands of Branchville – Josette Urso,” oil paintings & black & white drawings by Ms Urso, who was inspired by Weir Farm’s landscape during her 2003 stint as an artist-in-residence; April 10, “The Studio, Inside and Out,” 2 pm, free slide lecture by Ms Urso in Weir Farm’s Burlingham Barn, followed by artist’s reception (also free & open to public).

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Candlewood League of Artists (CLA), Inc., c/o White Silo Winery & Gallery, 32 Rte 37 East, Sherman. Call 746-8391.

May 31: Receiving for artists wishing to enter work into CLA’s Juried Spring Show, 1-6 pm, artists limited to 2 works, judging will be by Joan Rudman, AWS, show will be on view June 3-19, artists can enter to compete for awards & sell their works, contact Betty Ann Medeiros (phone # above or at BamArtwn@aol.com).

CT Poetry Society Al Savard Memorial Poetry Contest, c/o CT Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury CT 06704-0053. Call 860-584-2857.

June 1: Postmark deadline for annual competition, open to CT poets, entry fee is $10 for up to 3 poems (payable to CT Poetry Society), cash awards ($100, $75 & $50) & publication in Long River Run II, poems must be original & unpublished, any form acceptable, no more than 40 lines, incl 2 copies of each poem & incl SASE for return, mark each copy The Al Savard Memorial Poetry Contest, send submissions to address above, contact Lorna Cyr for details.

Newtown Children’s Music Talent Show, at Edmond Town Hall’s Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 206-1962.

May 19: Auditions for area young adults for talent show to be performed on June 18, auditions begin at 5:30, acts can be singing, dancing and/or instrumental, music should be on CD (CD player will be provided), audition fee is $5, partial proceeds of fees & ticket sales day of show will benefit Town Hall Board of Managers’ efforts to replace seats in town hall’s theater, contact Cathy Urso for additional info.

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850 (voice box 3).

April 11-12: Auditions for Stephen Sondheim’s Company, 7-10 pm, prepare uptempo Broadway tune & ballad (bring sheet music for both), be prepared to learn short pvw of dance/movement, rehearsals begin May 4, performances will be weekends June 24-July 23, director is Christopher Gladysz, visit www.TheaterBarn.org for full character breakdown.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 203-438-8311.

April 28: Receiving for artists (incl non-members) for 35th Annual Juried Spring Art Show, 3-7 pm, regional artists invited to submit work in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylics, graphics, mixed media, printmaking & sculpture (no photography) for spring show to run May 1-8 at library, SCAN membership is not necessary, awards ceremony & opening reception May 1 (2-4 pm), contact Will Doyle for full prospectus.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

April 9: Carlos Sousa & Men Without Instruments at Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, free concert of doo-wop & shoo-wop music; 748-1716.

April 10: The Elm City Girls’ Choir at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 351 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, suggested donation $10, performance directed by Rebecca Rosenbaum of girls in greater New Haven area singing choral music at the highest possible artistic level continues 2004-05 St Stephen’s Sunday Afternoon Concert Series, proceeds benefit church’s Fund For Music; 203-438-3789.

April 10: Tom Paxton at Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, 4 pm, tickets $15 adults, $7.50 ages 12 & under; 203-367-7917.

April 10: 5th Annual Leonard “Jody” Massello Jr Memorial Concert at St Theresa Church, 5301 Main St, Trumbull, 4 pm, sugg donation $10, concert by Adult & Petit Choirs of church will incl peformance of Vivaldi’s Gloria in D Major, RV589, also works of E. Aguiar, W.L. Dawson, M. Robledo, M. Shaw, et al, soloists will be Karen Morse, Cinda Wallace, Sarah Bleasdale & Art Sjogren, accompanist is Galen Tate; 261-3676.

April 10: Adesso Choral Society Concert at Western CT State University’s Alumni Hall, Seventh Ave at Roberts Ave, Danbury, 4:30 pm, tickets $15, season-opening concert will incl folk songs from around the world incl traditional music from Argentina, England, Hungary, Ireland, Italy & Native America, also works by the American composers Randall Thompson, Richard K. Winslow, Aaron Copland & Samuel Barber, plus accompanist Dana La Porta will perform Margaret Collins’ Time Pieces, five short movements for solo piano, addt’l guest performers will be The Scotts Ridge Chamber Singers.

April 10: Swing dance featuring Eight To The Bar, Immanuel Lutheran School, 35 Foster St (behind Danbury Library), Danbury, 6-9 pm, adm $15 adults, $11 seniors, $3 ages 12 & under; 792-7298, 743-4091.

April 11: “From the Paris Conservatory to Dublin: Flutes and Voices,” Western CT State University’s Alumni Hall (midtown campus), Seventh Ave at Roberts Ave, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free, performance by flutist David F. Machell, pianist Howard Rovics, students from the voice studio of Christina Rovics, & narrator Harold Schramm will incl works of Perilhou, Milhaud, Gaubert, Saint-Saens, improv by Mr Machell & other selections; 837-8696.

April 12: Dallas Brass at The Klein Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm, tickets $15-$35, concert by group which has established a unique blend of traditional brass instruments w/ full complement of drums & percussion to create “performing entity of extraordinary range & musical challenge” w/ repertoire that incl classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood & patriotic music; 203-345-4800 x150.

April 15-16: “A Night at The Opera,” Western CT State University’s Ives Concert Hall (White Hall), 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $10 adults, $5 senior citizens & ages 12 & under, performance of ra scenes & choruses by WCSU voice faculty w/ WCSU Opera Ensemble; 837-8350.

April 16: ShoreGrass at Trinity Episcopal Church, 30 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4 pm, freewill donations, concert by CT-based band will incl “old-timey,” early country, traditional bluegrass, folk, gospel & original music, post-performance reception w/ musicians, concert continues church’s Music at Trinity concert series; 426-9070.

April 16: Monthly Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $15, singles & coules welcome, free dance lesson at 8, performance by Pasha Pashkov & Inna Brayer (silver medallists, recent World Championship International Jr 10-Dance Title), general dancing to DJ selections, refreshments available, reservations suggested; 203-374-7308.

April 17: “Tutti: Danbury Community Orchestra & Danbury Preparatory String Orchestra,” Western CT State University’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance by 75-member DCO of Smetana’s The Moldau, Sibelius’ Finlandia & Schumann’s Spring Symphony, then 45 members from DPSO will join DCO for performance of Alfven’s Swedish Rhapsody; 748-1716.

April 17: Borealis Wind Quintet at First Congregational Church, 6 Kirby Rd, Washington Green, 4 pm, adm by donation (suggested $15), works of Debussy, Milhaud, Johann Strauss Jr et al; 860-868-0569.

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

April 8, Jazz Concert, 8 pm, performances by award-winning WCSU Jazz Quartet (to feature saxophonist Jonathan Blanck, drummer Tim Walsh, bassist Michael Mancini & guitarist Alex Faulkner) to incl original compositions & jazz standards, plus WCSU Jazz Quintet II, WCSU Jazz Sextet II & WCSU Jazz Septet (featuring vocalist Ana Tipton).

Newtown Friends of Music, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, 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 10, Le Fenice (The Phoenix: violinist Catherine Cho, violist Maria Lambros, oboist Peggy Pearson, cellist Marcy Rosen & pianist Diane Walsh), works of Mozart (Trio in E-flat Major, Op 498 “Kegelstatt”), Schumann (Fantasiestücke for cello & piano, Op 73), Harbinson, Heiss & Child (Three Chorale Preludes), Brahms (Piano Quartet in A Major) & Bach (“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”).

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: April 9, Don McLean, tickets $68-$80, opening set by special guest Kevin Briody.

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, performances at Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Rd (Rte 116), Ridgefield. Call 203-438-3889.

Performances 8 pm (unless noted), tickets $15-$45: April 16, “Romantic Expressions,” feat Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 (guest soloist Rui Shi) & Hanson’s Symphony No. 2 (“Romantic”).

Films _________________

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

April 8-14: The Ballad of Jack and Rose (R), daily 6:50 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4 pm; Melinda & Melinda (PG-13), daily 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 5:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10, 3:15 & 5:20 pm; Millions (PG), daily 7:20 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 5:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1, 3:05 & 5:10 pm; Off The Map (R), daily 7 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:15 pm.

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

April 8-13: Hotel Rwanda (PG-13), Fri-Sun 7 & 9:10 pm, Mon-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues-Wed 1 pm.

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: April 15, Happy Hour, guest speaker will be actor Robert Vaughn.

For Kids & Families _________

April 9: Homeschooling 101: Homeschooling Information Fair, Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center Rd), Easton, 2-5 pm, free adm, displays addressing common homeschooling issues (incl socialization, educational materials, curriculum, teaching methods & accepotance to college), also lecture by Attorney Deborah G. Stevenson on CT’s education laws & how they pertain to homeschooling; 924-2424.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: April 27, Nutmeg Book Discussion, 6:30 pm, one-hour discussion will focus on Made You Look by Diane Roberts.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: April 13, YA Nutmeg Award Book Discussion, 4 pm, readers in grades 7-8 invited to talk about Caroline B. Cooney’s Goddess of Yesterday.

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.

Miscellaneous ___________

April 8: Newtown Republican Town Committee Fine Art & Memorabilia Auction, Fireside Inn, 123 South Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, tickets $10/person, $15/couple, preview 7 pm, auction starts at 8, prints of works by artists represented in public and private collections around the world, also sports memorabilia & Newtown Tercentennial collectibles; 270-7703.

April 9: Annual SNAN Spring Bake Sale, Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 10 am-2 pm, annual sale helps Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN) defray costs of spaying & neutering for those in need.

April 9: 3rd Annual CT Holistic Health Fair, Western CT State University Berkshire Hall (midtown campus), Osborne St at Seventh Ave, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, adm $5, free for students & seniors, presented by CT Holistic Health Assn & WCSU Institute for Holistic Health Studies; 837-8800.

April 9: United Methodist Church of Monroe Fine Art & Collectibles Auction, at UMC of Monroe, 515 Cutlers Farm Rd, Monroe, preview 7-8 pm, auction begins at 8, adm $10/person, $15/couple, presented by Independent Galleries (Kerhonkson, NY-based firm) w/ sports & celebrity memorabilia, also framed fine art & sculpture; 261-0640, 268-8395.

April 9: Art Show & Auction, Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Rte 47, Washington Depot, preview begins 7 pm, auction to start at 8, tickets $15/person, $25/couple, matted & framed works in various media & price range, also sports collectibles, will be auctioned by Ross Galleries, proceeds to benefit St Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Marble Dale; 860-868-2275.

April 9-12:  WCSU Ruth Haas Library Spring Book Sale, library’s 5th floor meeting room, Fifth Ave at Osborne St, Danbury, Sat & Tues 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-7 pm, Mon 10 am-6 pm, titles from military history, military fiction, classics, mysteries, popular science fiction, modern fiction, psychology, biology & other subjects; 837-9107.

April 10: Open House & Living History Demonstration, Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1-4 pm, free & suitable for all ages, Robert Young will describe remedies and advice an apothecary would have provided to Colonial families, also display of tools and supplies, costumed docents will offer guided tours of house-museum; 426-5937.

April 10: Antiques & Collectibles Open House, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1-5 pm, public invited to visit Third Floor Collections Room & explore library’s collection of books on antiques & collectibles; 426-4533.

April 10: Seventh Annual Antiques Appraisals Day, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 2-5 pm, verbal appraisals $5/item (limit 3 items per turn in line), panelists to incl Turkey Frey (17th, 18th & early 19th Century furniture & decorative accessories), Wayne Mattox (variety of specialties), Steve Stieglitz (jewelry) & Jack DeStories (furniture, paintings, decorative art, clocks & more), proceeds will benefit event sponsor Newtown Historical Society; 426-5937.

April 10: Victorian Tea at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd (Rte 111, opposite Monroe Green), Monroe, 1-4 pm, tickets $15 incl tea, breads, sandwiches & desserts, proceeds will benefit various charities; 268-4265.

April 11: “Base Ball The Old-Fashioned Way,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free program by baseball memorabilia collector Ray Shaw will incl presentation of pieces from Mr Shaw’s personal collection, also talk of the evolution of baseball in America, its lasting effect, & how volunteers can register to participate in Tercentennial Base Ball game in planning stages, sponsored by Newtown Historical Society; 426-5937.

April 13: “Social Work — The International Dimension,” Western CT State University’s Pinney Hall Lounge (westside campus), University Blvd (off Lake Ave Extension), Danbury, 3:30-5:30 pm, free panel discussion will have speakers talking about their works w/ international populations in the US, social work involvement in international relief efforts around the globe, & visiting other cultures to learn about their communities, challenges & their ways of working to ensure the welfare of their people, registration requested; 837-8411.

April 14: “The History and Evolution of Horticulture in the Newtown Area,” Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, free lecture by garden designer and horticulturist Jane Brook Barba, sponsored by Horticulture Club of Newtown in honor of Newtown’s Tercentennial; 426-3170.

April 15: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Anthony’s Lake Club, Vespucci Dr, Danbury, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), “dress to impress” (no jeans); 203-468-1144.

April 16: Lions Club & Leo Club Pancake Breakfast, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:30 am-noon, adm $6 adults, $4 seniors, $2 ages 6-12, free ages 5 & under, proceeds will help support clubs’ commitment to tercentennial restoration of Edmond Town Hall.

April 16: Spring Bird Walk, Osbornedale State Park, 500 Hawthorne Ave (off Rte 34), Derby, 8 am, free program led by Kellogg Environmental Center volunteer Jay Connolly will lead participants in search of spring migrants arriving in area, meet at Picketts Pond (walks being offered also on May 17 & June 18, starting at 7:30); 734-2513.

April 16: Friends of New Milford Library Special Clearance Sale, New Milford Public Library, 24 Main St, New Milford, 10 am-3 pm, coffee table books (many in like-new condition), fiction & non-fiction books, children’s books, early titles/classics & more; 860-355-1191, 860-355-8280.

April 16: WCSU Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University’s Westside Observatory & Planetarium, University Blvd (westside campus, off Lake Ave Extension), Danbury, 7-9 pm, free; 837-8672.

April 16: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, at Colonial Tavern, 24 Hawley Rd (off Rte 67), Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), “dress to impress” (no jeans); 203-468-1144.

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: April 10, American Woodcock Mating Dance, 7 pm, opportunities to witness one of most fascinating displays of courtship in bird kingdom.

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

Programs free unless noted: Apri 11, Daytime Book Group meeting, 1 pm, discussion of The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne, newcomers welcome; April 16, 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; April 16, Indian Cooking Demo, 1 pm, $7 supply fee (registration mandatory), demo of Indian cooking by Kanwal Sahki; April 21, Evening Book Group meeting, 7:30 pm, discussion of Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, newcomers welcome.

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: April 15, “Porcelain’s Surprises” by Jean Mann, slides & original works by one of the world’s most expert porcelain carvers.

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

April 9, “Gourds: The Art of Incising,” 1-3 pm, ongoing program by artist Butch Lydem (Schaghticoke) who will demonstrate pyro-engraving on gourds, included w/ museum adm ($4 adults, $3.50 seniors, $2 ages 5-16); April 17, “Native Uses of Trees, Lichens & Mosses,” 1:30-3:30 pm, $12, first nature walk of spring will be led by E. Barrie Kavasch, learn about Native uses of trees, lichen & mosses & their importance in natural ecosystem, bring hand lenses to study smaller organisms that live on tree back (CT educators can earn .2 CEU for participation).

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

April 16-17, Spring Fling Weekend, 11 am-5 pm, $5/adv, $7/day of, annual celebration of spring season will incl tastings of new vintages, light refreshments & live music.

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: April 9, Naugatuck State Forest High Rock (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); April 16, Ransom Hunt Audubon Sanctuary, Bedford, N.Y. (Dave Wesley, 203-438-1459); April 23, hike or bike Harlem River Rail Trail, Amenia, N.Y. (Evelyn Schonberg, 426-0425); April 30, Westside Highway River Walk, New York City, all day hike and then dinner out (note: this program will meet at Edmond Town Hall at 8 am, then carpool to Brewster to take train; Sawsan Ali at 426-8911).

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 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: April 13, oil demo by Carol Reeves.

Theatre ______________

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

Show Boat, through April 10, curtain Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, call for ticket details, spring production of NHS Drama Department is 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.

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-757-4676.

Golf With Alan Shepard, through April 24, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, call for ticket prices.