Antiques Shows______

April 17-18: Westchester Glass Club 2004 All Glass Show & Sale, Greenwich Civic Center, Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $7, 60 nat’l dealers, presentation by author & lecturer Tom Dimitroff, ID booth, glass repair, refreshments; 973-763-4524, 203-966-1777.

April 18: 19th Phonograph-Music Box-Record Show, The Inn at Ethan Allen, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 7 am-3 pm, adm $8; 330-325-7866.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Beaux Arts 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 May 3, “Inside Out: The Paintings of Helene Brier.”

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

Through April 25, “New York City Underground,” mosaic tile pcs by the Fairfield artist Mark Maiocco replicating NYC subway stop mosaics.

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 (lower meeting room): Through April 22, “A Taste of Italy,” photographs by the Newtown couple Rita Frost & Francis Caro of the Italian countryside, architecture & food.

On library’s main floor: Through April 16, “Journal Pages,” quilted wall hangings by 8 members of The Scrapbag Quilters: 8½ by 11-inch panels each represent one month of quilt artist’s life during 2003.

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

*(new show) April 11-June 6, “Stand and Deliver: Handmade Moveable Books,” handmade artist books by 52 book & paper artists representing 24 states & 5 foreign countries.

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.

Through April 12, “Nature Impressions,” multi-hued artistic quilts “capturing the rich beauties of the natural world in fabric” by Sandra Scott.

*(new show) April 14-June 7, “Lush Life,” recent works on acrylics by Joan Lockhart, who is celebrating her successful return to professional roots after years working as graphic designer; April 18, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

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.

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

Through April 18, “At Home In Waterbury, Part II,” exploration through oral histories, photos & artifacts explores history of close-knit Waterbury communities of Bucks Hill, Crownbrook, Gilmartin, Homeville, South End, Town Plot & Washington Hill.

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 May 5, “Myth & Landscape,” monotypes by Liz Dexheimer, who focuses on patterns & rhythms of natural world & frequently references mythological beings associated w/ nature’s power & majesty.

Museum of American Political Life at University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-768-4090.

Through May 16, “American Originals: Treasures from The National Archives,” The Emancipation Proclamation, The Louisiana Purchase Treaty & The Civil Rights Act of 1964, also other documents that have been important during US history.

Through May 16, “Connecticut Originals,” complement to “American Originals” presents 80± items representing ideas (CT Charter, ESPN, etc), personalities (Prudence Crandall, Ella Grasso, Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Houghton Hepburn, et al) & inventions (Colt’s Revolver, interchangeable parts, telephone switchboard, etc) introduced by & in CT.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-5050.

Through June 1, “Dinosaur Eggs, Nests and Young,” more than 100 fossil dinosaur eggs & embryos at hands-on exploration stations & animated video presentations featuring well-known dinosaur experts allow visitors access to new evidence that unlocks the mysteries of dinosaur reproductive behavior; April 20, Roxy Fox and The Baby Dinosaurs, 11 am, free 45-min puppet show by Betty Baiden (repeats May 1); April 21, Radio Disney, 11 am-12:30 pm, celebrate dinosaur exhibition w/ Radio Disney DJs, fun games & prizes, free books & other items, arts & crafts.

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

Through April 25, “2004 Winners’ Circle,” the 10 winners from RGA’s 26th Annual Juried Show (presented during fall 2003) return for a group exhibition of their work.

Sadelier, 69 West Wooster St, Danbury. Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sat 11 am-5 pm, Fri 11 am-6 pm, Mon by appt. Call 743-4830.

*(new show) April 10-June 12, watercolors “loosely based on the circle & exploring the wide range of possibilities the motif offers” by Melinda Hackett; April 10, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center/Rte 39, Sherman. Hours: Tues-Wed, Fri 11 am-6 pm, Thurs 11 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-354-2455.

*(new show) Through April 30, “The Quilt Off My Back,” quilted clothing by Sherman resident Sandy Keane, all created by hand.

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

*(new show) April 9-Aug 15, “Epitome of Elegance: The Kay Hoffman Fashion Collection,” a glimpse into the wardrobe of one of Hartford’s fabulous fashion icons offers 20 garments incl evening gowns, cocktail dresses, smart suits & day dresses.

Through Aug 1, “kid size: The Material World of Childhood,” everyday objects designed for children over three centuries and around the world through 130 pcs of furniture & other artifacts, comparing & contrasting familiar forms from Europe & US w/ objects from sub-Saharan Afica, China, Papua New Guinea, India & indigenous peoples of the Americas; April 13, “kid size: The Material World of Childhood,” noon (incl w/ museum adm), gallery talk by Thomas Denenberg.

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.

Through May 2, “2004 Faculty Art Exhibit,” selected multimedia installations, paintings, drawings, sculpture, photography & printmaking reflecting the individuality & range of expression & process of FU’s faculty.

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 25, “Members’ Show 2004,” drawings, paintings in oil, acrylic & watercolor, sculpture & pottery by artists ranging from top professional, gallery-represented artists to beginners waiting to be discovered.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Brookfield Arts Commission. Call 740-2801.

May 29: Dancers & singers, food vendors, artists & crafters being sought for International Cultural Festival, will run on Brookfield Town Hall property, 12-4 pm, contact Joanne Hunter ASAP for details.

Friends of Easton Library, Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center Rd), Easton. Call 445-8318.

Crafters sought for 1st Annual Easton Public Library Jewelry & Craft Show, will be April 24 (10 am-3 pm), tables available for $50, contact Gina Orticelli ASAP at above # for details.

                 

Concerts, Musical Events ____

April 12: Townwide String Festival Concert, Newtown High School auditorium, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 7:30 pm, free concert will feature over 400 string instrument students of Newtown public schools performing in small groups and full orchestra.

April 15: “Block Party Entertainment: The Accordion,” Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 6:30 pm, call for adm details, accordion performance by Fabio Licarelli III & 80-yr old musician Betty Biolo; 203-753-0381 x10.

April 15: Martyn Joseph at Temple Shearith Isreal, 46 Peaceable St, Ridgefield, 7:30 pm, tickets $13/adv, $15/door, performance by Welsh Music Awards’ 2004 Best Male Solo Artist; 203-438-6589.

April 17: Flaming Saddles: CT Gay Men’s Chorus Spring Spectacular, Shubert Theater, College St, New Haven, 8 pm, tickets $25 & $30, satirical musical romp through today’s biggest headlines; 800-644-2462.

April 17: “England’s Best Bett,” concert by Fanfare Consort, First Congregational Church, 103 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $20 adults, $10 students & seniors, $30 families, performance by group of musicians who specialize in early music performance will incl modern day premieres of works by William Corbett; 203-258-9103.

April 18: “Pianist Paul Bascia: Great American Composers,” Teikyo Post Univ MacDermid Hall, 800 Country Club Rd, Waterbury, 3 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students, $5 ages 12 & under, performance by Mr Bascia will offer works of Gershwin (“An American in Paris”), Bernstein, Foster, Joplin, Billy Joel, Rogers, et al, post-performance reception, presented by Greater Waterbury Classic Concerts, Inc; 203-754-5590.

April 18: Organ recital by Mark R. Scholtz, St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington Green, 4 pm, free, recital by church’s organist & concertmaster on St John’s 34-rank Wicks pipe organ will incl works of Buck, Whitlock, J.S. Bach, Buxtehude, Howells & Litaize; 860-868-2527.

April 18: Flaming Saddles: CT Gay Men’s Chorus Spring Spectacular, Bushnell’s Belding Theatre, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford, 7 pm, tickets $25 & $30, satirical musical romp through today’s biggest headlines; 800-644-2462.

April 23: Spring Dance at The Homesteads, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 2:30, free, guest pianist Robert Fuller, refreshments & socializing in Two Bears Pub (within Homesteads), reservations requested; 426-8118.

Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-7001.

Ballroom, Latin & Swing Dance Party, every Wed 7-11 pm, $12, singles & couples welcome for free dance lessons (7:30), buffet dinner (8), open dancing to DJ selections, dressy attire (no jeans).

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

April 22,WCSU Concert Choir & Chamber Singers Spring Concert, 8 pm, free (donations will benefit music dept), program will highlight choral music of 3 centuries w/ 100-voice choir performing works of Handel & the Haydn brothers, Singers presenting works of Josquin, Gallus, Passereau, Loosemore & Schuetz; April 26, “A Musical Celebration of Spring,” 8 pm, WCSU faculty members Dr David Machell on flutes, Howard Rovics on piano & guest violinist TBA will offering program to incl Vivaldi’s “Spring” from Four Seasons.

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 25, Cavani String Quartet, works of Beethoven (String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op 18 #6), Margaret Brouwer (Demeter Prelude) & Dvorak (String Quartet in A Major, Opus 96, “American”).

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

Performances, 8 pm, tickets $25-$45 adults, $15-$25 ages 18 & under: April 17, “Captivating Music To Love,” works of Moncayo (Huapango), Rachmaninoff (Capriccio Bohemian) & Tchaikovsky (Symphony #5).

Films _________________

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

April 9-15: Dogville (R), daily 7:50 pm, mat Fri 4:30 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 4:30 pm; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (R), daily 7:20 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:30, 2:45 & 5 pm; The Ladykillers (R), daily 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 5:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:40, 2:55 & 5:10 pm; Touching The Void (NR), daily 8:55 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 4 pm; The United States of Leland (R), daily 6:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 pm;

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

Free screenings: April 16, Cinema Paradisio, 7 pm, in Italian w/ subtitles; April 18, Trois Couleurs: Blanc, 2 pm, in French w/ subtitles; April 23: Roman Holiday, 7 pm.

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

April 9-14: Catch That Kid (PG), Mon-Wed 7 & 9 pm, mat Fri-Sat 11:30 am, 2:10 & 4:30 pm, Tues 1 pm; Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World (PG-13), Fri-Sat 7:30 pm.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Call 203-852-0700.

Through June 17: Ocean Oasis, daily 11 am, 1 & 3 pm, also Fri-Sun 7 pm w/ Volcanoes of the Deep Sea (double feature); Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, Mon-Fri 12 & 2 pm, Sat-Sun 12, 2 & 4 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

April 20: Roxy Fox and The Baby Dinosaurs, Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven, 11 am, museum adm $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 students, free ages 2 & under, 45-min puppet show (included w/ adm) by Betty Baiden, complements museum’s current “Dinosaur Eggs, Nests & Young” exhibition; 203-432-5050.

April 23: Dinosaur Egg Hunt, Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven, 1-4 pm, museum adm $7 adults, $6 seniors, $5 students, free ages 2 & under, complement to exhibition “Dinosaur Eggs, Nests & Young” will have young visitors searching for clues leading to hidden nest, then choosing & decorating “dinosaur eggs” to take home; 203-432-5050.

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

April 13, book discussion program, 7 pm, discussion of Rena’s Promise: A Story of Sisters in Auschwitz, memoir by Bethel resident Rena Kornreich Gelissen.

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 17, Pinocchio: the puppet show, 1 pm, ages 4-10 invited to presentation by Junior Girl Scout Troop 809 to also incl sing-along & easy craft program, registration requested.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: April 22, Movie & Pizza Party, 1-3 pm, registration requested, screening of The Lizzie Maguire Movie.

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

Through Aug 1, “Simply Sensational: An Exploration of The Sense,” family-oriented exhibition illustrates how people & animals use their senses to survive in & strive to understand the world.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

Programs included w/ zoo adm ($8 adults, $6 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, group rates available): April 17, Pet Awareness Day, 12-3 pm, several animal adoption & animal rescue organizations will offer presentations on pet care and safety, crafts for the kids & other surprises; April 19-23, Backyard Beasts School Vacation Program, 2 pm, kindergarten & elementary school age children & families invited for programs featuring different animal each day at Prof Beardsley’s Research Station, interactive 45-minute programs may include a live animal, animal stories & animal facts.

Devil’s Den Preserve, 33 Pent Rd, Weston. Call 226-4991.

All events free, no pets (even on leashes), reservations required: April 9, Night Hike, 8-9:30 pm, $3 fee for this program, families can join Al Noë for walk to discover nocturnal creatures incl bats & owls, test your senses & even make sparks in the dark, recommended for ages 6+.

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

Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Gingerbread Doll (double feature), through April 10, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50, group discounts available.

Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe. Call 452-5458.

Reading Adventures, 7 pm, parent & child book discussion series for grades 3-4, newcomers welcome, titles follow: April 13, Frindle by Andrew Clements.

Quick Center for the Arts/Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Young Audience series, performances 1 & 3 pm, tickets $12 adults, $10 children: April 18, Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree and other stories, by Little Theatre of The Deaf, audience will be introduced to American Sign Language prior to performance combining ASL & spoken words.

Miscellaneous ___________

April 10: WCSU Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Westside Observatory (westside campus), Lake Ave, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free, planetarium show at 7:30 followed at 8:30 by viewing of Moon & other celestial objects; 837-8671, 837-8672.

April 10: CT Contacts Singles Dance Party, Anthony’s Lake Club, West Kenosia Ave, Danbury, 8 pm-1 am, $15 incl hot & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections; 203-468-1144.

April 11: “Bad Times or Good Times: Meditation Every Time,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by yoga center’s business manager Cindy Lucas will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

April 12: “The Tale of John Andre’s Hollow Boot,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free slide program by Dennis Corcoran about the American Revolutionary conspiracy between British spy John Andre & his co-conspirator Benedict Arnold, sponsored by Newtown Historical Scty; 426-5937.

April 13: “From King Tut To Marsalis: The Evolution of The Trumpet,” Newtown High School chorus room, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 7:30 pm, free master class by baroque trumpet virtuoso & trumpet professor Thom Freas, all welcome; 203-733-9733.

April 13: Art Slide Lecture: Robert Giusti, WCSU White Hall Room 25, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am (rescheduled from March), free autobiographical lecture by artist celebrated as one of country’s best-known illustrators; 837-8410.

April 13: “Psychological Health and Welfare: The Role of Caregivers in Vietnam,” WCSU’s Ruth Haas Library (Room 411), White St, Danbury, noon, free lecture by WCSU assistant professor of communications & theater arts Jeanne Christie continues univeristy’s ongoing “Exploring War” series; 837-8471, 837-9383.

April 15: Flagpole Photographers meeting, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, photograph buffs of all levels always welcome; 270-1943, 426-0558.

April 15: “History Bites: The Geological History of Woodbury,” Old Town Hall, Mountain Rd at Rte 6/Main St, Woodbury, noon, free lecture by Dr Lawrence Pond will incl evidence of pre-history bites, ice ages, lava flows & Pomperaug Watershed, continues “4th annual History Bites” series, BYO light lunch (beverages & dessert provided); 203-263-2446.

April 15: “The Diverse Roles of Women Leaders in the Community,” WCSU Student Center, 181 White St, Danbury, 5 pm, panel discussion moderated by Dr Estella Lopez will incl discussions of leaders in international service, leaders in community service & leaders in service organizations; 837-8278.

April 15: Comedian Louie Anderson at The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts, 8 pm, tickets $85 & $125 (higher-priced tickets incl post-show champagne reception w/ Mr Anderson); 203-438-5795.

April 15-17: Benefit Tag Sale, Lourdes of Litchfield Pilgrim Hall, Rte 118, Litchfield, 9 am-4:30 pm; 860-567-1041.

April 16: CT Contacts Singles Dance, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections, no jeans; 203-468-1144.

April 16: Psychic Fair, Holiday Inn, Newtown Rd/Rte 6, Danbury, 6-11:30 pm, free adm, psychics, clairvoyants, astrologers, tarot & gemstone readers participating, also vendor area; 470-1806.

April 16: “France and Germany: A Love Story for the Ages,” WCSU Student Center Theater, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, discussion by WCSU assistant professor of history Dr Michael Nolan on the Franco-German relationship as one of the central factors of European history; 837-8445.

April 17: Parish Tag Sale, Confraternity of St Theresa’s, 5301 Main St, Trumbull, 9:30 am-3 pm, free adm & parking, coffee & refreshments available; 261-3676.

April 17: Café Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, public invited to join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for conversations in French, topics decided at beginning of program, BYO light refreshments, all levels of French speakers welcome; 203-263-4096, 262-0626.

April 17: “Lies, Sissies and Fiascoes: Notes on Making A New Kind of Radio,” Ira Glass at Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $35, performance by host & producer of documentary radio program This American Life will continue Aldrich Museum’s Stage A Performances series; 203-438-4519.

April 17-25: Second Annual Monroe Hist Scty Textile Sale, Beardsley Homestead, 31 Great Ring Rd, Monroe, open Sat, (April 17, 9 am-2 pm; April 24, 9 am-1 pm) & Sun (April 18 & 25, 1-3 pm) only, new, vintage & antique textiles, fabrics, notions, clothing, household linens, patterns, craft books & magazines, kitchen items & more, also special displays in Beardsley House incl recent acquisitions; 268-5511.

April 18: Odd Fellows & Rebeka’s Lodge of New Milford April 18: “More Health Benefits Than Exercise Without Moving Your Body: Meditation,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by yoga center’s co-founder Janaki Pierson will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

April 20: Lunch & Learn: Cataracts and Mscular Degeneration,” Lockwood Lodge at Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, lunch at 12, presentation 12:30 pm, pre-registration required, program by Ashlar’s consultant optometrist Dr Thomas A. Margius, P.C.; 364-3179 (Charron Cote)

April 20: “Music and Its Role in Health and Healing,” WCSU Warner Hall, White St, Danbury, 6:30 pm, $10, researcher Dr John Diamond will address therapeutic applications of music, part of university’s Holiday Health series; 845-228-0720.

April 21: Housatonic Valley Paddlers Club meeting, CL&P Service Center, Barnabas Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, free & open to non-members, program about Stevenson Dam, preview of upcoming paddling trips; 203-263-3281.

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 11, Mating Dance of American Woodcock, 7 pm, sugg donation $5, participants will have opportunity to witness courtship dance of American Woodcock, meet at welcome kiosk & dress for outdoors; April 14, Adult Nature Walk, 9-11 am, leisurely walk for those who love nature & want to take time to pause to view birds & focus on seasonal aspects of center’s rich natural history; April 18, Spring Hike, 1:30-4 pm, Audubon Center director John Longstreth will lead hike & provide commentary on geology & history of Audubon Center while also pointing out interesting birds, wildflowers & trees (co-sponsored by Southbury Land Trust).

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

Programs free unless noted: April 12, Booked For Lunch, 1 pm, Reeds in the Wind by Grazia Deledda; April 15, Evening Book Club, 7:30 pm, discussion of Ivan Turgenev’s Fathers and Sons, newcomers welcome; April 20, Author Talk: Luciana Contin, 7:30 pm, Ms Contin will discuss her new novel, Chances & Choices: The Girl from Trieste; April 22, book discussion, 7:30 pm, Shakespeare’s As You Like It.

Devil’s Den Preserve, 33 Pent Rd, Weston. Call 226-4991.

All events free, no pets (even on leashes), reservations required: April 9, Night Hike, 8-9:30 pm, $3 fee for this program, families can join Al Noë for walk to discover nocturnal creatures incl bats & owls, test your senses & even make sparks in the dark, recommended for ages 6+; April 13, Adult Hike,” 1-3 pm, topics, trails & leaders vary for these regularly-held 3-4-mile hikes.

Flagpole Photographers, C.H. Booth Library meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 270-1943, 426-0558.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: next meeting April 15.

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/Candlelight Art Evenings, 7:30 pm, $5: April 16, “New, Dramatic, Exciting or Good: Undercurrents of Universal Beauty in My Contemporary Designs,” program by Woodbury-based architect & joiner Andrew Peklo III.

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

April 10, mocassin workshop, 11 am-3 pm, $25, workshop by Gail Davis to make moccasins for youngsters, reservations required; April 17, “Children on The Reservation,” 1-3 pm, $4 adults, $2 ages 5-16 (includes museum adm), Wendell Deer With Horns (Two Kettles Band, Lakota Nation) will share his story of growing up on Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation; April 18, “Native Uses for Spring Trees & Shrubs,” 1-4 pm (advance registration required), $10, workshop & walkabout.

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

“Conversations from The Other Side” by Cheryl Scheinin, programs 2nd & 4th Sun each month, 4-6 pm, $30.

Dinner programs 4th Sat/month, $35/adv, $40/door, reservations required: April 24, dinner at Stony Hill Inn, Rte 6, Bethel.

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: April 10, Todd’s Point, Greenwich, leader is Jack Donlon (203-966-8421); April 17, Hubbard Park, Meriden, leader is Ester Nichols (426-2897); April 24, Butler Sanctuary, Mount Kisco, N.Y., leader is Ildiko Gramling (203-263-0086).

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.

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.

Workshops to communicate w/ angels, God, deceased or living by guidance, 2nd & 4th Sat/month in Sandy Hook, 1-3 pm, $40, call for details.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: April 18, “Talking with Heaven,” 4-6 pm, $20, guest speaker Carol Essig (pet psychic & animal communicator) will listen to concerns & issues w/ participants’ pets, bring photos;

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 14, acrylic figure program by Beverly Branch.

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 ______________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Brookfield Playhouse, Rte 25, Brookfield Center. Call 775-0023.

The Fantasticks, April 16-May 8, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (April 18 only) 2 pm, tickets $15; addt’l evening performance (Thurs) April 29.

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

A Funny Thing Happened on The Way To The Forum, through May 9, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $34.50-$42.50.

Goodspeed Opera House, Rte 82, East Haddam. Call 860-873-8668.

Call Me Madam, April 16-July 3, curtain Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed & Sun 2 pm, Sat 4 pm, tickets $22-$51 (student rush tickets available, call for info).

Hartford Stage, 50 Church St, Hartford. Call 860-527-5151.

Topdog/Underdog, through May 9 (previews to April 13, opening night April 14), curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun-Thurs 7:30 pm, call for mat schedule (selected Wed, Sat & Sun), tickets $20-$60 (group & student discounts available); April 17, Pay-What-You-Can performance, 2 pm.

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

Hamlet, April 21-May 23 (previews April 21-27, opening night April 29), curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets ($30-$40 during previews) $38-$55.

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

The Gin Game, through April 11, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$35, group rates available.

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

The Matchmaker, through April 25, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50.

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

A View from The Bridge, April 16-May 8, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $13 seniors & students.

WCSU Opera Ensemble, at Ives Concert Hall (White Hall), 181 White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350, 837-8486.

Street Scene, April 16-17, curtain 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 seniors & ages 12 & under, $5 students.

Wilton Playshop, 15 Lovers La (behind congregational church), Wilton. Call 762-7629.

Home (replaces previously announced Romeo and Juliet), through April 10, curtain 8 pm nightly, tickets $30; proceeds of tickets will be divided between 4 local arts organizations.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown events listed first, with additional events listed by their start time.