Antiques Shows______

April 23-25: 27th Annual Lockwood-Mathews Museum Antiques Show, at the museum, 295 West Ave, Norwalk, Fri 6-9 pm (benefit preview party, adm $125), Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $10, 25 dealers; 203-838-9799.

April 24: 5th Annual Antiques Appraisal Day, Lebanon Hist Scty Museum, 856 Trumbull Highway (Rte 87), Lebanon, 10 am-3 pm, $5/single item, $12/3 items, local appraisers will evaluate family treasures & heirlooms, providing history & value estimates.

May 1-2: Westport Garden & Antiques Show, Bedford Middle School, 88 North Ave, Westport, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $8, exhibitors from tri-state area plus FL, GA, MA, ME, PA & RI, special program on floral arranging (Sun, noon); 203-222-2259.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Bachelier-Cardonsky Gallery, Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt during week. Call 860-927-3129.

*(new show) April 24-May 23, “Raw Energy,” paintings by David Eddy & William Thomson, paintings & monoprints by Lisbeth Firmin; April 24, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

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.

*(new show) May 1-June 12, “Recent Works: Tarol Samuelson,” new pcs by Newtown artist who conceptualizes works as electronic images before executing them in traditional media incl oil on canvas; May 1, opening reception, 6-9 pm.

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

Through June 6, “Stand and Deliver: Handmade Moveable Books,” handmade artist books by 52 book & paper artists representing 24 states & 5 foreign countries.

Brookfield Historical Society, Rtes 133 & 25, Brookfield Center. Hours: Sat 12-4 pm, also by appt & by chance (when museum flag is displayed). Call 740-8140.

*(new show) April 25-Aug 31, “Inner Space To Outer Space”; April 25, opening reception, 1-4 pm.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Hours: (Jan-March) Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, (April-Dec) Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 778-8337.

Permanent exhibitions on railroad history (museum is along old New Haven RR line & housed in former Danbury station & railyard), also original & restored rolling stock incl a New Haven RR Mack FCD railbus, Alco RS-1 diesel locomotive, fully operating turntable, etc. (see Misc calendar for ongoing programs schedule)

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 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.

Gregory James Gallery, Bank Street Plaza, 27 Main St, New Milford. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm.

Call 860-354-3436.

*(new show) May 1-June 27, “Spring Art Show 2004,” works by gallery members incl Deborah Chabrian, Christopher Magadini, Edward Martinez, Alain Picard & Bill Rice, also returning artists Joseph Grieco & Anda Styler, plus new members Rick Daskam, Robert Ferrucci, Patrick Purcell & Danielle Wexler; May 1, opening reception, 5-7 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.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Hours: daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-852-0700.

Through Sept 7, “Microbes: Invisible Invaders, Amazing Allies,” interactive journey through hidden world of bacteria, viruses & other germs.

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

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.

*(new show) May 1-Sept 5,” Back To Nature: City Parks and Country Retreats,” celebration of cherished retreats created during 20th Century to fill the needs of rapidly growing industrial community of Waterbury through original drawings by park architects, postcards, pictorial histories, broadsides for entertainment events, engravings, scrapbooks and more; May 1, opening reception, 6-8 pm.

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.

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.

*(new show) May 1-30, “RGA Student & Faculty Show,” works by RGA art students, ages kindergarten through adult, & their instructors; May 1, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

ALSO, May 2, “Serendipity 2004,” at Ballard Park, Rte 35/Main St, Ridgefield, 10 am-4 pm, annual one-day outdoor art show sponsored by Ridgefield Guild of Artists offers works by 100+ fine artists & crafters.

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.

Through June 12, watercolors “loosely based on the circle & exploring the wide range of possibilities the motif offers” by Melinda Hackett.

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.

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

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Burlingham House Visitor Center Hours: Thurs-Sun 9:30 am-4 pm. Call 203-834-1896.

Through May 2, “Artists at Weir Farm: Peter Schroth,” plein air landscapes by a painter “who focuses on smaller details of the subject landscape.”

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.

Sherman Players, at Let’s Dance Studio, 994 Federal Rd, Brookfield. Call 860-355-4394.

April 24: Auditions for three roles in A Chorus Line, 3-7 pm, one is speaking role for actor who also sings & dances, others 2 are “cut roles” (sing & dance), arrive prepared w/ sheet music & song, be prepared to learn dance combination, production will run weekends June 17-July 17, contact producer Stephen Ross (phone # above) for details.

                 

Concerts, Musical Events ____

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.

April 23: CT Choral Society Spring Concert, St Peter Church, 104 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm (pre-concert program by CCS associate director Scott Williamson, 7:30), tickets $18/advance, $20/door, program of Mozart (Requiem K626), Bach (Cantata BWV 4, Christ Lag in Todesbanden) & Brahms (Opus 30, Geistliches Lied, Lass Dich Nur Nichts Nicht Dauren); 800-555-5250.

April 23: 8th Annual Sherry Winston Evening of Jazz Benefit Concert, WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $25 general adm, $35 reserved seating, $15 seniors & students, headlining performance by local jazz phenom & her band, plus special guest soprano & operatic singer Cheryl Hill, post-performance reception for audience & performers, proceeds will benefit 6 local non-profit agencies; 825-3131.

April 24: Romeo & Juliet Gala Benefit Performance by CT Dance Theatre & Shakesperience Productions, at The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 7 pm, tickets $35 open seating, $50 reserved priority seating & $75 for reserved priority & Patron listing in program book, pre-performance reception included for all ticket holders, Shakesperience cast will perform adapted version of Act One, followed by CDT dancers performing Prokofiev’s choreography for Act Two, proceeds will benefit each dance company; 860-274-0004, 203-754-2531.

April 25: Parsons Dance Company at Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and The Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield, performances at 3 & 7:30 pm, tickets $35 & $45, modern dance & theatrical physicality by dazzling dance company, also performances by Ridgefield dance groups Bare Bones & The Jazz Collective; 203-438-5795.

April 25: CT Choral Society Spring Concert, First Congregational Church, 222 West Main St, Waterbury, 4 pm (pre-concert program by CCS associate director Scott Williamson, 3:30), tickets $18/advance, $20/door, program of Mozart (Requiem K626), Bach (Cantata BWV 4, Christ Lag in Todesbanden) & Brahms (Opus 30, Geistliches Lied, Lass Dich Nur Nichts Nicht Dauren); 800-555-5250.

April 25: “England’s Best Bett,” concert by Fanfare Consort, St Andrew’s Church, Rte 202, Marbledale, 4 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 26: “A Musical Celebration of Spring,” WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, free adm, performance by David F. Machell on flutes & Howard Rovics on piano, also narrator Harold Schramm & special guest Prof Eric Lewis (first violinist, Manhattan String Quartet), Four Seasons: Spring (Op 8, #1) transcribed for flute by James Galway.

April 29: Performing Arts Jazz Festival All-Star Jam, WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, tickets $10 adults, $5 seniors & students, teachers & workshop leaders of 9th Annual WCSU/Litchfield Performing Arts Jazz Festival will lead informal public performance; 837-8350, 837-8486.

April 30: The Dave Holland Quintet at WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, tickets $25 adults, $15 seniors & students, public performance by Grammy-nominated quintet is one highlight of 9th Annual WCSU/Litchfield Performing Arts Jazz Festival, opening set by WCSU Jazz Quintets I & II; 837-8350, 837-8486.

April 30: Saint John’s Chorale spring concert, at St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students, program will incl works of Kodaly (Laudes Organi & Cherubini (Requiem in C minor), will also be final performances by chorale under founding director Mark R. Scholtz, concert repeats May 2; 860-868-2527.

May 1: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 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.

May 1: WCSU Jazz Orchestra w/ trombonist Alastair Kay & bassist Rufus Reid, WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 seniors & students, public performance will be one of highlights of 9th Annual WCSU/Litchfield Performing Arts Jazz Festival, opening sets by local high school jazz ensembles & CCSU Jazz Ensemble; 837-8350, 837-8486.

May 1: Kiva Dance Collective at Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 8-10 pm, adm $10, evening of music, dance & poetry by group of 10 women from diverse training backgrounds (performance follows opening reception for museum’s new exhibition “Back To Nature: City Parks and Country Retreats,” 6-8 pm); 203-753-0381 x10.

May 1-2: Waterbury Symphony Orchestra season finalé, Naugatuck Community College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, Sat 8:15 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $30 & $60, guest soloist Midori joins WSO for John Adams Violin Concerto, program to also incl Rossini’s Thieving Magpie Overture & Respighi’s The Pines of Rome & The Fountains of Rome; 203-574-4283.

May 1-2: 11th Annual Music Learning Center Spring Recital Series, Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, performances 1 & 3 pm each day, also 5 pm Sat, free adm, performances by approx 200 instrumentalists & vocalists ranging from age 5 to adult, receptions follow each performance; 748-1444.

May 2: 2nd Annual WCSU Rising Stars Student Musicians Showcase at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free performance will conclude library’s Winter-Spring 2004 Concert Series, reception w/ musicians follows performance; 775-6241 x104.

May 2: “Overtures and Beginnings,” Danbury Community Orchestra concert, WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free concert celebrating the first performance of DSO under new music director & conductor Stephen Michael Smith will incl works of Handel, Glinka, Wagner, et al, audience invited to post-performance reception w/ musicians & Maestro Smith; 748-1716 (Danbury Music Centre).

May 2: Saint John’s Chorale spring concert, at St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington, 4 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students, program will incl works of Kodaly (Laudes Organi & Cherubini (Requiem in C minor), final performance by chorale under founding director Mark R. Scholtz; 860-868-2527.

May 5: Chulrua at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, tickets $15 adults, $5 students/children, performance by internationally acclaimed trio (button accordion icon Paddy O’Brien, fiddler Patrick Ourceau & guitarist Pat Egan) presented by Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society; 203-256-8453.

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

Subscription $32 (good for all season), $12 single ticket, students age 18 & under free, post-performance receptions w/ performers: April 24, “Dance Music,” pianist Orli Shaham, program to incl works of Debussy, Dvorak, Bartok, Chopin, Bach, Copland & Ravel.

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 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: May 8, “Soulful Music To Love: Mahler,” rescheduled from Dec 6 (tickets for original date will be honored), performance of Mahler’s Symphony #6.

Films _________________

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

April 23-29: Connie and Carla (PG-13), daily 7:10 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 5:15 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1, 3 & 5:15 pm; Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (R), daily 7:25 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:40, 2:50 & 5 pm; Kill Bill volume two (R), daily 7 & 9:55 pm, mat Fri 4:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4:10 pm; The Ladykillers (R), Fri, Mon-Thurs 6:45 pm, Sat-Sun 7:35 pm, mat Fri 4:20 pm, Sat-Sun 2:40 pm, Wed 1:45 & 4:20 pm; La Pasion De Cristo (R, in Latin & Aramaic w/ Spanish subtitles), Fri, Mon-Thurs 8:55 pm, Sat-Sun 9:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun 12 & 5:10 pm.

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

Free screenings: April 23: Roman Holiday, 7 pm.

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

April 23-28: Big Fish (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri-Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 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 24: Lazer Vaudeville at The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15, “superlative juggling, black light illusion, acrobatics, zany comedy & audience participation” suitable for all ages; 203-438-5795.

May 1: Annual May Fair, Housatonic Valley School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Newtown(Dodgingtown), 11 am-3 pm, free admission, demonstrations of Maypole dancing and Morris dancing (11 am), Robin Hood play, music, potluck lunch (bring plates, silverware and something to share), face painting, garland making, more; 364-1113.

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 23, Night Hike for Families, 7:30-9 pm, hike along River Road Trail (without flashlights) to listen for calls of owls & learn about adaptations of nocturnal animals, bring flashlights for return walk, children should be at least 6 yrs old, reservations requested.

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

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: April 28, book discussion, 4:30 pm, readers in grades 5-8 invited to discuss Cornelia Funke’s The Thief Lord.

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

Pinocchio, through May 23, 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 27, Junebug by Alice Mead.

Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Saturday Series For Children, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15 (series discounts available): April 24, Laser Vaudeville, “lasers, magic, juggling & more!”

Miscellaneous ___________

April 24: 95th Annual Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival, Tolland Agricultural Center, Rte 30 (near intersection of Rte 31), Vernon, 9 am-4 pm, parking $3/car, free adm, border collies demos, exhibits w/ sheep, llamas, alpacas & angora rabbits, spinning, weaving & dyeing demos, 4-H demos, Ask The Vet w/ CT State Vets, sheep shearing & skirting, vendors, refreshments, full program at www.CTSheep.com; 860-684-2124.

April 24: 1st Annual Jewelry & Craft Show, Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center Rd), Easton, 10 am-3 pm (rain date April 25), free adm, variety of items from distinctive jewelry to hand-crafted items; 445-8318.

April 24: Open Turret Day at Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, wear shows & clothing appropriate for climbing into museum’s collection of military vehicles (which are not usually open to the public), rain date April 25; 790-9277.

April 24: Celebrate Earth Day 2004 Fair, New Morning Store, Middle Quarter Mall, 738 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 11 am-4 pm, reps from Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition & Housatonic Valley Assn w/ info about local water supplies, reps from Stonyfield Farms, free facials & henna tattoos, raffles, food tastings, The Stilt-Walkers, music & more; 203-263-4868.

April 24: First Congregational Church of Bethel Goods & Services Auction, at the church, 46 Main St, Bethel, preview begins 5:30 pm, auction at 7, 100+ items, proceeds will partially benefit church’s programs & missions, also for local outreach within community; 748-6112.

April 24: St Andrew’s Episcopal Church Art Show & Auction, at Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Rte 47, Washington Depot, preview 7 pm, auction begins at 8, adm $15/person, $25/couple incl refreshments & bidding on art supplied by Ross Galleries (Holbrook, NY); 860-868-2275.

April 24: CT Contacts Singles Dance Party, Colonial Tavern, off Rte 67, Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections, no jeans permitted; 203-468-1144.

April 24-25: Second Annual Monroe Hist Scty Textile Sale, Beardsley Homestead, 31 Great Ring Rd, Monroe, Sat 9 am-1 pm, Sun 1-3 pm, 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 25: “Coming Awake To Joy… Choosing to be Happy This and Every Day,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by Ro Palladino will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

April 27: The Garden Club of Newtown meeting, Newtown United Methodist Church lower hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, free & open to non-members, socializing at 12:30, program at 1, guest speaker Elaine Day will demonstrate creating miniature arrangements; 270-1108.

April 27: “Art Slide Lecture: Graham Nickson,” WCSU White Hall Room 25, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am, free autobiographical lecture by one of the most influential artists & art educators in the country continues university’s ongoing master of fine arts series; 837-8410.

April 28: “David Chivers: Music and Research,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 5:30 pm, free, light refreshments & socializing at 5:30, program begins at 6, Franco-American violinist & scholar Mr Chivers will introduce each work to be performed & discuss his research on relationship between perception of time & performance of music, optional dinner follows (reservations mandatory for dinner, not needed for lecture-performance only); 203-263-4096.

April 29: “The Potential Growth of The Fuel Cell Industry in Connecticut,” WCSU White Hall Room 24 (part of poli-sci class, public welcome), White St, Danbury, 5:25 pm, program by Dan Connors (VP business & marketing, The Gen Cell Corp, Southbury); 860-210-2146 x129, 860-354-3521.

April 29: 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 30: Lois Dodd slide lecture, WCSU White Hall Room 25, White St, Danbury, 11 am, free public lecture by one of the most influential American artists of latter half of 20th Century will incl slides & discussion of her work; 837-8410.

April 30: “Mystical Monuments: The Stone Circles of Britain,” Washington Art Assn gallery, Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, 7:30 pm, $5, slide lecture by Prof Alec Purves (professor of architecture, Yale School of Architecture) on the historic stone structures & their possible uses; 860-868-2878.

April 30-May 1: Annual Friends of Middlebury Library Book Sale, at the library, Crest Rd, Middlebury, 10 am-4 pm, proceeds benefit programs not covered by annual budget; 203-758-2634.

April 30-May 2: Danbury Animal Welfare Society Annual Tag & Bake Sale, Hatters Park Hall, 7 East Hayestown Rd, Danbury, Fri (early buying 9:30-10 am, adm $5) 10 am-3 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-3 pm, free adm, proceeds will help society help dogs & cats in greater Danbury area; 798-5816.

April 30-May 2: Annual Connecticut Artists at Woodbury’s Old Town Hall Show & Sale, Main St/Rte 6 at Mountain Rd, Woodbury, Fri 12-6 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-7 pm, 25 fine artists & crafters from across the state participating; 203-266-0110.

May 1: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 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.

May 1: 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.

May 1: “Popeye Is 75: A Birthday Party,” The Burnham Library, Rte 133, Bridgewater, 3-5 pm, informal presentation by Brad & Marty Sagendorf (sons of Bud Sagendorf, who drew Popeye strips for 50+ years), also displays of original newspaper artwork, toys, novelty items, family memorabilia, proof sheets & original artwork for Popeye: The First Fifty Years, light refreshments incl spinach; 860-354-6937.

May 1: Connecticut ConTacts Singles Party at Colonial Tavern, off Rte 67, Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, $15, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections, no jeans allowed; 203-468-1144.

May 1-9: 34th Annual Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN) Juried Spring Art Show, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm (May 9, 1-3 pm only), Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, 150± works in oil, watercolor, pastel, acrylic, graphics, prints & sculpture by members, opening reception May 1 (2-4 pm), awards ceremony also May 1 (3 pm); 426-1212, 203-445-9975.

May 2: Danbury Railway Museum Train Show, at Western CT State Univ Berkshire Hall (Bill Williams Gymnasium), Osborne St (midtown campus), Danbury, 10 am-3 pm, adm $5 adults, free ages 12 & under, 100+ dealer tables w/ collectibles, gifts, models & books, also operating train layouts; 778-8337.

May 2: Serendipity 2004, Ballard Park, Rte 35/Main St, Ridgefield, 10 am-4 pm, annual one-day outdoor art show sponsored by Ridgefield Guild of Artists offers works by 100+ fine artists & crafters; 203-438-8863.

May 2: Danbury Railway Museum RailFair 2004, Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, $10 adults, $7 ages 5-12 (includes adm to Train Show at WCSU, see separate listing), caboose, locomotive & Rail Yard Local rides, explore recently-acquired equipment, railroad clinics, models, operating N-scale display, refreshments; 778-8337.

May 3: BookTalks program, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free discussion of Mountains Beyond Mountains by Tracy Kidder, all welcome; 262-0626.

May 4: “Container Gardening,” Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, 7:30 pm, free program (registration requested) by Tom Rathier of UConn Agricultural Experiment Station; 775-6241.

Active Singles. Call 860-489-9611 or visit www.ActiveSingles.org.

Hikes for singles (ages 30s-50s) 1st & 3rd Sun/month, 9:30 am (early arrival requested), free, no dogs or children allowed, 4 skill levels available, bring/wear hiking boots & bring water: May 2, hikes at Black Rock State Park, Watertown.

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 23, Night Hike for Families, 7:30-9 pm, hike along River Road Trail (without flashlights) to listen for calls of owls & learn about adaptations of nocturnal animals, bring flashlights for return walk, children should be at least 6 yrs old, reservations requested; April 24, Earth Day Tree Planting, 2:30-5 pm, volunteers needed to help staff members transplant young white pines; April 25, Sunday Morning Bird Walk, 8-10 am, staff members will lead walk & help identify first migrants of spring; April 28, 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.

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

Programs free unless noted: 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; April 29, book talk, 7:30 pm, Umberto Eco’s Name of the Rose; May 4, book discussion, 1 pm, Tom Brokaw’s The Greatest Generation.

Flanders Nature Center/Van Vleck Farmhouse, Flanders & Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-3711.

Early Morning Bird Walks, Sundays in May, 7 am, free guided walks (led by members of Western CT Bird Club) through fields & forests in search of varieties of birds that call Van Vleck Sanctuary their home.

Botany Bound, Sundays in May, 1 pm, free guided walks along Flanders’ Botany Trail.

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 24, Butler Sanctuary, Mount Kisco, N.Y., leader is Ildiko Gramling (203-263-0086); May 1, Central Park & Hayden Planetarium, New York City, all day hike, bring money for train, planetarium entry fee, restaurant dinner, leader is Nancy Zigler (732-2618; Note earlier start time at 8 am sharp!); May 8, Mine Hill Preserve, Roxbury, leader is Len Patti (426-3632).

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.

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

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: April 28, sculpture by James Grashow.

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.

Wednesday Night Poetry, Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 270-6202 (Michael Seri), 748-2828 (BAJ).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: April 28, Barbara Holder; May 5, Michael Brown; May 12, Dick Allen.

Theatre ______________

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

The Fantasticks, through May 8, curtain Fri-Sat 8 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, through 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).

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

Hamlet, through May 23 (previews to April 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.

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

Stamford TheatreWorks, 200 Strawberry Hill Ave (on Sacred Heart campus), Stamford. Call 203-359-4414.

Visiting Mr Green, through May 9, curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $20-$33, student & senior discounts.

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

The Beauty Queen of Leenane, April 23-May 22, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 9 only) 2 pm, tickets $15; April 29, Pay What You Can performance, 8 pm.

Town Players of Newtown, Little Theatre, theatre is on Orchard Hill Rd (mailing address is PO Box 211), Newtown. Call 270-9144.

Don’t Dress for Dinner, May 7-29, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 23 only) 2 pm, tickets $15 ($12 matinee); note: May 7 performance will be fundraiser for Newtown Congregational Church, all tickets $20.

 

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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.