Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (opening for season April 26, weekly to Oct 26): Bethlehem Flea Market, Bethlehem Fairgrounds, 384 Main St North/Rte 61, 6 am-1 pm, free adm & parking, 200 spaces will offer antiques & collectibles, plants & flowers, organic foods & farmer’s market, artisans & crafters, food, machinery & equipment & much more; 860-618-2940.

Saturdays (through mid-Dec): 39th 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): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $2, free ages 12 & under, leave pets home, vendors offer antiques, collectibles & misc, refreshments available; 508-896-1975.

April 19-20: 39th Guilford Antiques Show, Elisabeth Adams School, 233 Church St, Guilford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $7, free parking, 49 dealers in room setting booths, proceeds to benefit Hyland House Museum;  845-876-0616.

April 26-27: 32nd annual Depression Glass Show & Sale, Southington High School, 720 Pleasant St, Southington, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $6, presented by Nutmeg Depression Glass Club & featuring Depression era glass & pottery, also free American glass & pottery ID service, door prize (Forest Green Charm luncheon set); 860-643-5353.

May 4: Flea & Antique Market, Island Beach parking lot, Arch St, Greenwich, 10 am-4 pm, 125 vendors; 203-622-4136.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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 1-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In first floor display cases — Through April 30: “Works In Connecticut Wood,” dozens of hand-turned wooden bowls & vases by self-taught artist (& Newtown resident) Michael C. Agius, who uses locally found wood for his works.

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

Through May 4: “Jump: The Synergy of Connection,” works by cross discipline contemporary artists who use the repetitive process of joining multiple circles, or jump rings, to create “rhythmic patterns & interesting forms that are sculptural & ornamental,” curated by David Licata, collection also incl works by David Austin, Conner Bishop, Ruth Borgenicht, Robert Dancik, Dennis Gardner, Lindsay Ketterer Gates, Cas Holman, Scott David Plumlee, Leslie Pontz, Judy Walker and Donovan Widmer.

Featured Artist of the Month, special presentations in BCC Gift Shop: *(new show) Through April 30: works by multi-faceted artist Linda Banks, BCC faculty member & glass studio manager, who works in glass, jewelry, baskets & gourds.

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

Through May 7: pencil point carvings & sculptures by Dalton M. Ghetti, who carves very intricate & miniscule pcs of art on the graphite of pencil tips; April 30, artist’s lecture, 7 pm, Mr Ghetti will discuss, share techniques & answer questions about his work.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Wed-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through May 11: “Spring Fever,” monotypes & monoprints by printmakers Zemma Mastin White, Tom Stavovy & Nancy McTague-Stock, works on paper from the estate of Gertrude Barrer, plus encaustic paintings by gallery artist Kim Bernard.

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Call 203-365-7650.

*(new show) April 27-May 29: “Contemporary Fiber,” contemporary works being created in the fiber art field incl art quilts, weaving, sculpture, installation, video performance art, cutting edge fiber art & embroidery, offering a range of contemporary work from traditional methodology to cutting edge w/ digital approaches, by 22 fiber artists as juried by Nisha Drinkard; April 27, opening reception, 1-3:30 pm, featuring live music by The Carole Sudhalter Duo; note: show will be closed Memorial Day weekend.

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (on the green), New Milford. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun & eves by appt. Call 860-354-3436.

*(new show) April 19-May 28: “Spring Show 2008,” first show of new season will feature 50-plus works by regional artists incl Christine Debroski, Frank Federico, Robert Ferrucci, Vincent Giarrano, Christopher Magadini, Bill Rice, Lorraine Ryan, Anda Styler, Danielle Wexler, et al; April 19, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

Koenig Frameworks, 97 Main Street South, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 270-1887.

Through May 5: “Arborescense,” oil, acrylic & mixed media works by Paula Renee & Ann Kromer.

Mark Twain Library, Diamond Hill Rd at Rte 53, Redding. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-938-2545.

Through May 30: “Heat and Pressure – 100 Years of Bakelite,” 250+ rare Bakelite objects & related materials assembled from the Amsterdam Bakelite Collection owned by Reindert Groot.

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

Through May 12: “Private Labyrinths,” mixed media works on wood & masonite by Florin Ion Firimita.

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

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

*(new show) April 27-July 11: “Life With Clay – 35 Years,” exhibition of works by Joy Brown; April 27, opening reception 3:30-5 pm.

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

*(new show) Through June 8: “Figuring Women” The Female in Modern British Art – An ‘Art in Focus’ Student Guide Exhibition,” second annual student curated exhibition examines the representation of women in British art from Victorian period to today through 34 objects incl sev paintings & sculptures that will be displayed for first time in YCBA’s fourth floor, w/ emphasis of exhibition to create “striking juxtapositions between works of art rather than more traditional chronological display.”

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

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

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

Brookfield Theater for the Arts, Rte 25 (behind Brookfield Library), Brookfield Center. Call 775-0023.

May 3 & 5: Auditions for Peter Pan, Sat 11 am-1 pm for children, 1-3 pm for adults, Mon 7-10 pm, children by appt, director Alicia Demster has roles for children ages 6-12 who will be asked to learn short dance combo and/or read sides from script, adults should prepare 16 bars showing their range from Broadway (prepare ballad & uptempo song), bring sheet music, accompanist provided, may be asked to learn short dance combo and/or read sides from script, performances will be weekends July 4-19.

Oxford Day, Oxford High School, 61 Quaker Farms Rd, Oxford. Call 203-888-2468.

June 7: Artists & crafters invited to apply for inaugural event to be held at high school, will run 10 am-5 m (rain date June 8), seeking handmade crafts, also fine art incl watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, photography & sculpture, all must be original & available for purchase.

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-757-1316 x15.

May 4-5, 12: Auditions for Hello Dolly, all roles available, by appt only, director Semina DeLaurentis & music director Richard DeRosa are seeking male & female actors, singers & dancers ages 10 & up, auditions & rehearsals will be at Seven Angels Theatre, performances to be Aug 2-3 at Palace Theatre, call for audition appt & more info,

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

April 22-23: Open casting call for Suddenly Last Summer, 7-9 pm, director Joseph Russo has roles for 2 men (ages 20-35) & 5 women (ages 20-65) for 50th anniv production of Tennessee Williams drama, professionals & amateurs welcome, readings will be from script, no appointments needed, visit TheatreWorks.us for character breakdowns, rehearsals to begin late May (usu Mon-Thurs eves), performances will be July 11-Aug 22 (Fri-Sat eves, with matinee Sun, July 27).

Concerts, Musical Events ____

April 19: Swing Lessons & Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, doors open 7 pm, adm $15 for dance & 1 lesson, $20 dance & 2 lessons, intro swing fundamentals lesson w/ swing DJ Stretch at 7:30,supplemental swing dance lesson at 8:30, dancing 9:30-midnight, very beginner friendly, no partner required, premium hardwood dance floor in charming, 100+ year old hall, music by swing DJ Stretch, air-conditioned and dehumidified, presented most 1st & 3rd Sundays, hosted by Fair WestSwing Project; 203-522-5341.

April 20: Pianist Ann Schein at Sarah Cooke Hall, Heritage Village, 11 Heritage Way, Southbury, 3 pm, tickets $15, program to incl works of Schubert (Fantasie in C Major, D 760 [Wanderer]), Ravel (Sonatine), Debussy (L’isle joyeuse) & Liszt (Tarantella [a l’Italie, Venezia e Napoli]); 264-1102, 262-6510.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: April 25, Roseanne Cash, $67.50.

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

Free concerts, 2 pm, suitable for ages 5-17 (usu about an hour long): April 19, two performances (call for start times) of Hansel and Gretel w/ special guest vocalists from Boston Lyric Opera.

Films _________________

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm & most Monday holidays (call ahead). Call 203-372-3521.

Planetarium shows: One Small Step and Larry – Cat in Space, call museum for screenings schedule.

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

April 18-23: National Treasure: Book of Secrets (PG), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 :25 pm, Sun-Wed 7 pm, mat Fri-Sun 1 & 4 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

April 25-26: The Diary of Anne Frank, Western CT State Univ Berkshire Theatre, Berkshire Hall, Osborne St, Danbury, Fri 7 pm, Sat 2 pm, tickets $15, family theater production by WestConn in cooperation w/ LaMar Productions; 778-3344.

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

Free public programs (unless noted): April 26, visit w/ author Tony Abbott (“Secrets of Droon” fantasy series); April 29, musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 7 pm, original performance by The Serendipity Players, suitable for all ages, registration requested.

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

Family programs: April 27, Shakespeare’s Birthday Party, 3 pm, celebrate The Bard’s birthday w/ live music by The Reel Thing, performance by C.H. Booth’s Mark & Wig Players, Elizabethan games, munchies, children’s crafts, birthday cake & maybe even a visit by HRM Queen Elizabeth I.

Flanders Nature Center, Flanders at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3711.

May 3, “Farm Kids” workshop, 10 am-12:30 pm, $20 ($15 members), ages 3-10 can learn about farm life, animals, animal sounds, what grows in gardens, farming equipment & how important farming is to human survival.

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

Free concerts, 2 pm, suitable for ages 5-17 (usu about an hour long): April 19, two performances (call for start times) of Hansel and Gretel w/ special guest vocalists from Boston Lyric Opera.

Miscellaneous ___________

Saturdays (opening for season April 26, weekly to Oct 26): Bethlehem Flea Market, Bethlehem Fairgrounds, 384 Main St North/Rte 61, 6 am-1 pm, free adm & parking, 200 spaces will offer antiques & collectibles, plants & flowers, organic foods & farmer’s market, artisans & crafters, food, machinery & equipment & much more; 860-618-2940.

Through April 19: Botsford Fire Dept Spring Carnival, at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, Wed-Fri 6-10 pm Sat 4-10 pm (discount wristbands 4-6 pm), carnival rides, contests, food, partial proceeds will benefit volunteer fire dept.

April 18: “Searching for Synergy Between Academia and Industry,” University of New Haven Tagliatela College of Engineering (Schumann Auditorium, Room B120), 300 Boston Post Rd, West Haven, 11:30 am, free lecture by Dr Don Haynie (founder, Artificial Cell Technologies, Inc, New Haven); 203-932-7144.

April 19: The Mind Body Soul Experience & Go Green Earth Gallery, The Stony Hill Inn, 46 Stony Hill Rd, Bethel, 11 am-4 pm, adm $5, 50-plus exhibitors, natural health products, eco-friendly cleaning products, organic products, eco-interior design, green products & services, also astrology, angel & other readings, organic beer & wine tastings, acoustic music, free workshops & presentations, and St Lucia dream vacation giveaway, partial proceeds to benefit Clean Ocean Action; 860-355-1511, 203-746-4348.

April 19: 14th Annual Earth Day Celebration at New Morning Natural & Organic, Middle Quarter Mall, 738 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 11 am-4 pm rain or shine, free adm, outdoor & under tents, “Earth Household” theme this year will offer 100-plus exhibitors w/ samples of latest in natural & organic foods (many from local producers), ideas for greener homes for health of family & community, special live broadcast of WPKN’s “Car Bob Show’s Earth Day Radio Special,” plus chance to win $500 natural groceries; 263-0673 x360.

April 19: Roast Beef Dinner, Good Shepherd Lodge #65, 25 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, 4:30-7:30 pm, $10 adults, $8 seniors, $5 ages 5-12, free ages 4 & under, dinner of roast beef, salad, mashed potatoes, veggies & cake, take-out available; 860-355-0243.

April 19: “Sentimental Journey,” Testo’s Restaurant, 1775 Madison Ave, Bridgeport, begins 6 pm, tickets $50, family style dinner, dancing to music of 1940s & performances of “Sentimental Journey” by CT Ballroom Theatre & swing dance lesson will kick off 2008 Barnum Festival series, also debut of 2008 Ringmaster (Shelton Mayor Mark A. Lauretti);  203-367-8495.

April 19: Greater Ancient Order of Hibernians Pub Night/New Membership Drive, AOH Hall, 161 Main St, Danbury, 7-11 pm, adm $10, public invited to meet current AOH members & learn about the club, also enjoy live music by The Mighty Ploughboys, karaoke contest, food & drink; 748-7701, 203-826-7121.

April 19: Planetarium show & telescope viewing, WCSU Westside Observatory, University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, 7:30 pm, free screening of An Explorer’s Guide to the Kuiper Belt to be followed by telescope viewing (8:30-10:30 pm) of the spring sky, Saturn & moon); 837-8672.

April 19: Connecticut ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Colonial Tavern, 24 Hawley Rd (Off Rte 67), Oxford, 8 pm-12:30 am, adm $20 incl dinner buffet & dessert, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), “dress to impress, no bluejeans; 203-468-1144.

April 20: “The Brookfield Ironworks District,” Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, Rte 133 at Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 2 pm, free lecture by William Devlin will cover history & architecture of town’s famed Ironworks District incl rare photos of the area when it served as industrial center of the community; 740-8140.

April 20: “Meditation and Spiritual Evolution: Peace for Our Families and Our World,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by Janaki Pierson will cover how a daily meditation practice can bring peace & spiritual evolution to families & the world, to be followed by group meditation & informal tea reception; 203-263-2254.

April 21: Sierra Club/Housatonic group meeting & program, Brookfield Community Center, 100 Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 7:30 pm, free & open to non-members, special screening of The Power of Community, How Cuba Survived Peak Oil; 775-9644.

April 22: “Where The Bulbs Shine,” C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main S/Rte 25, Newtown, 1 pm, free presentation by photographer & artist Karen Bussolini will offer strategies for using bulbs throughout a landscape, hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown; 270-1108.

April 22: MFA Lecture Series: Jim Peters, Western CT State Univ White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am, free lecture by Mr Peters will continue spring series of lectures by leading contemporary fine artists sponsored by school’s Master of Fine Arts program; 837-8881.

April 23: “Found Literature: Writer’s Conference 2008,” Naugatuck Valley Community College Playbox Theater, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 11:20 am-4 pm, free (lunch available $10), morning presentations by Lionel Bascom (WCSU professor & author, will discuss his work on recent release of The Last Leaf of Harlem, short stories by last surviving member of Harlem Renaissance Dorothy West) & Alice Bernstein (journalist & aesthetic realism associate will discuss her discovery of previously unpublished Ossie Davis play w/ emphasis on education as an end to racism) will run 11:20 am-1 pm, followed by book signings & lunch, writer’s workshop & open mic will run 2:30-4 pm; 203-596-2199.

April 23: “From Bob Dylan to Friedrich Nietzsche: Existentialism in 1960s Saigon,” Western CT State University Warner Hall, Fifth Ave (off White St/Rte 6), Danbury, 1 pm, free lecture by WCSU Associate Professor of Hisgtory & Non-Western Cultures Dr Wynn Gadkar-Wilcox; 837-8484.

April 23: “Communication and Mate Choice in the Gray Treefrog, Hyla Versicolor,” Western CT State University Science Building Room 219, Osborne St at Dr James Roach Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, free lecture by Dr Joshua Schwartz (associate professor, dept biology & health sciences, Pace Univ) will continue WCSU’s “Research Seminar” series; 837-8793.

April 23: “The Law and Legacy of the Civilian Conservation Connecticut,” Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, Rte 133 at Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 7:30 pm, free presentation by historical author & newspaper columnist Marty Podskoch, refreshments to follow; 740-8140.

April 24: WCSU Debate Team Bowling Fundraiser, Loree’s Lanes, 145 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Danbury, 9:30 pm, $15 (incl shoe rental), bowl unlimited frames until closing, proceeds to benefit WCSU Roger Sherman Debate Society; 313-3352.

April 25: Wine & Food Tasting, Club NewFit, 23 Commerce Rd, Newtown, 7-10 pm,  tickets $35, also silent auction, proceeds to benefit Newtown Dog Pound fundraising & Newtown Underwater Search And Rescue (NUSAR); 426-8591.

April 25: “The Graduate Institute,” Western CT State Univeristy Student Center, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 10:30 am, $5 contribution suggested, presentation by Kaitlyn Pierce will cover institute established w/ mission of offering grad programs in emerging fields of conscious evolution, experimental health & healing, holistic thinking, irenic studies, oral traditions & organizational leadership, proceeds will support student scholarships & health promotion & exercise programs at WCSU; 837-8882.

April 26: Workcamp Tag Sale, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 9:30 am-1:30 pm (no early birds please), tag sale, also local vendors, event is fundraiser for group of young adults from NCC, Newtown United Methodist Church, St Rose of Lima & Sacred Heart Church who are planning to spend one week in NC in August; 426-1362, 426-9024.

April 26: Earth Day Celebration, Newtown Middle School, Queen St, Newtown, 9:30 am-3 pm, free, info about alternative energy choices, green living methods & products, wetland protection, open space acquisition & more, also organic foods, presentations by members of Candlewood Valley Trout Unlimited (10 am-noon), Ecology Walk (2 pm); 270-3331.

April 26: World Tai Chi & Chi Kung Day observation, Western CT State University Quadrangle, off White St or Fifth Ave (behind Fairfield Hall, White Hall, Warner Hall & Higgins Hall), Danbury, 9:45-11 am, join practitioners around the world in creating a wave of healing energy by bringing awareness to the benefits of tai chi & chi kung for physical, mental & spiritual health & fitness, event will move to Bill Williams Gym (Berkshire Hall, Osborne St) if rain.

April 26: “Getting to The Corps of Geocaching,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 10-11:30 am, free presentation (registration requested) by Marci Montrose (natural resource specialist park ranger, US Army Corps of Engineers at Hop Brook Lake, Middlebury) will present program on geocaching, “an entertaining adventure game for GPS users,” also history of geocaching, materials needed to geocache & instructions on how to use related websites & GPS devices; 734-2513.

April 26: 2nd annual Victorian Tea, Roxbury Congregational Church, 24 Church St/Rte 317, Roxbury, 11 am-4 pm, adm $10 adults, $8 ages 10 & under, tea selections, finger sandwiches & sweets served by members of Roxbury Women’s Auxiliary, who will be costumed for the event (public welcome to also wear costumes); 860-354-5921.

April 26: Weekend Bird Walk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave (off Rte 34), Derby, 5 pm, free walk led by Kellogg Center volunteer will last up to 2 hours, all levels of birders welcome, sharpen bird identification skills or just enjoy guided hike through grounds of Kellogg Center & adjacent Osbornedale State Park; 743-2513.

April 26: 23rd annual Goods and Services Auction, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, preview 5:30 pm, auction begins at 7, 100+ lots being offered, food & beverages available, church is handicapped accessible; 792-0477.

April 26-29: Wilton Library Annual Book Sale Fundraiser, at Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton Center, Sat (early buying 7- 9 am, adm $15) 9 am-5 pm (refreshments all day by Rotary Club of Wilton, w/ proceeds also benefiting library), Sun 12-5 pm, Mon 10 am-5 pm (all items half price), Tues 10 am-2 pm (remainders free, donations accepted), 70,000 items in 50+ categories, also live auction (Sat 11 am), silent auctions Sat-Sun (see auction items at WiltonLibrary.org), annual event is major fundraiser for library; 203-762-3950.

April 26-May 4: CT Clay Artists Show & Sale, at former Ruben’s store location, 3 Sugar Hollow Rd, Danbury, Sat-Sun 10 am-4 pm, professionally handbuilt, wheel thrown & sculpted art made from stoneware, porcelain & earthenware by 13 professional potters & artists from Fairfield County; 748-5611 (Marcus Dairy Bar).

April 27: Victorian Tea, St Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd/Rte 111 (opposite Monroe Green), Monroe, 12:30-3:30 pm, tickets $15 (reservations available), tea, breads, sandwiches & desserts offered by The Episcopal Church Women, proceeds to benefit various charities; 268-4265.

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

Programs free unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: April 25, Spring Wildflower Walk, 9:30 am, $5 ($3 Bent Center members; registration requested by April 22), join naturalist Chris Cohen for one-hour guided walk through Audubon’s “garden” of spring ephemerals & wildflowers; April 27, Early Bird Walk, 8 am, free one-hour walk w/ bird expert Donna-Rose Smith; April 29, Invasive Plants Work Day, 1:30-4 pm, volunteers invited to help maintain bird & wildlife habitats by eliminating aggressive, alien plants that damage ecosystem & degrade wildlife habitats, hand tools provided, bring heavy duty work gloves (runs every Tuesday until mid-Oct).

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

Free public programs: April 29, musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 7 pm, original performance by The Serendipity Players, suitable for all ages, registration requested.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield. Call 775-4526.

“The Craft Continuum” lecture series, Wed 6-8 pm, free lectures by artists associated w/ BCC school & gallery: April 30, Barbara Allen, ceramic & mixed media artist will share images of her work in Ghana, also experiences working on projects w/ school children.

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

April 22, “Where The Bulbs Shine,” 1 pm, presentation by photographer & artist Karen Bussolini will offer strategies for using bulbs throughout a landscape, hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown (call 270-1108 for info); April 22, “Reducing Our Carbon Footprint: Cooling Connecticut,” 7 pm, environmental consultant & Climate Change Stockholders member Jack Kozuchowski will offer examples of steps individuals can take to reduce their impact on greenhouse gases; April 29, “Green Giving,” 1 & 7 pm, Rene Hue & Kim Sala will offer ideas to revive the past & infuse the new w/ found objects in the home, registration required.

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

Weekly games, Sat 1-5 pm, drop-in chess open to all skill levels, sets & boards provided, hosted by US Chess Federation expert Glenn Budzinski.

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

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am (spring start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: April 19, Aspetuck Valley Trail, Newtown/Redding (no dogs; leader Evelyn Schonberg, 426-0425); April 26, Bear Mountain, Salisbury (leader Molly Schleiss, 914-945-2996); May 3, Central Park, New York City, all day hike, dinner out, train fare (leader Nancy Ziegler, 203-732-2618).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, Newtown. Call 270-4377.

Shop is open every Wed 12-3 pm & Sat 9 am-noon, access is from town hall’s back parking lot, shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing, sm home accessories & more.

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

Programs 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: April 23, Frank Bruckman, oil landscape.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6224 (ask for Betty) or 264-3728 (ask for Krista).

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6:30-7:30 pm (weigh-ins 5:45-6:15, meetings 6:30-7:30), meetings $2/week, membership $24/year. April 28, guest speaker: dietician from Griffin Hospital; all welcome.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Funniest Comic in Connecticut Contest: April 18, Semi-Finals, at Aldario’s, 240 Naugatuck Ave, Milford, 8 & 10 pm, tickets $17.50, featuring 8 acts w/ 7 min stage time each; April 26, Finals, at Trinity on Main, 69 Main St, New Britain, 8 & 10 pm, tickets $19.50, featuring 5 acts w/ 10 min stage time each, also sets by guest performers.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: April 19, Michele Balan headlining, tickets $17.50, Joe Currie & Darryl Knight opening; April 25, Jim Florentine headlining, tickets $19.50, opening acts TBA.

Theatre ______________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Brookfield Playhouse, 182 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25, behind library), Brookfield Center. Call 775-0023.

The Odd Couple, April 25-May 4, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 4 only) 2 pm, tickets $20 (Dinner & Show Package, with dinner at Bailey’s Backyard of Brookfield, $45; call box office for details).

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

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

Play readings, new works read by area actors, reservations not needed:

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

The Boys, through April 26, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $25 – matinee will be special fundraiser performance followed by Q&A w/ playwright Anne Nelson, proceeds to benefit Sherman Volunteer Fire Dept.

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

Moonlight and Magnolias, April 18-May 10, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 4 only) 2 pm, tickets $20; April 24, Pay-What-You-Want night, 8 pm, name your ticket price; **note: those with severe nut allergies should avoid this production.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items listed first, with additional events listed by their start time. At the time of printing, the information here is accurate as presented; a call ahead is always a good idea to be safe.

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, Associate Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.