Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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

*(new show) Through June 1, “A Gathering of Artists,” works in watercolors & oils, also prints, by David Dunlop, C.J. Guerin, Frank Henry-Meehan, Helene Brier, Michael Zack, all members of Silvermine Guild (selected & curated by Mr Dunlop); May 3, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

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

*(new show) May 4-Aug 30, “From The Beginning,” items from museum’s collection of last 35 years, celebrating life of museum; May 4, opening celebration w/ life Celtic folk music by Tara’s Thistle, refreshments.

The Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-372-3521.

Through May 7, “My Home Planet Earth,” traveling exhibit on environmental health suitable for ages 5-10 & parents, teachers & guardians offers hands-on stations, experiments, mysteries to solve & exhibits to learn how to make healthy choices about air, water & food.

Fairfield Historical Society, 636 Old Post Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun 1-4:30 pm. Call 203-259-1598.

*(new show) May 3-Jan 19, “Celebrating A Century: Treasures From The Collections of the Fairfield Historical Society,” 50+ items from collections significant to local history & American history in general incl copy of first book ever written by a slave, textiles incl ca 1798 floral patterned woman’s dress, ca 1878 wedding gown made in Paris, pre-Revolutionary War sword made by local blacksmith, much more.

Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-266-4663.

*(new show) Through June 23, “Joy Of Color,” several dozen oil & gouache paintings by Connie Aronson; May 4, 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.

The Nutmeg Gallery, 5 Maple Street (Rte 7 at 341, in The Village Barns complex), Kent. Hours: Mon-Fri 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun by appt. Call 860-927-4501.

*(new show) Through May 31, “A Bunch of Nice Paintings,” recent paintings by Robert Lenz; May 3, opening reception w/ live jazz by The Beck-Ryerson Duo, 2-5 pm.

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 May 4, “Machu Picchu: Unveiling the Mystery of the Incas,” major exhibition re-creates the royal estate of Inca Pachacuti (first imperial ruler) through hundreds of items incl gold, silver, ceramic, bone & textile artifacts from Peabody’s permanent collection, also uses dioramas, topographic models, video displays & computer interactives to educate & inform about the legacy of the Inca.

Through May 4, “The Maya Murals of Bonampak: Windows on An Ancient Culture,” 30-foot reconstruction of one of 3 murals discovered in Chiapas, Mexico within Bonampak site, plus 2 addt’l reconstructions on smaller scale, plus Mayan objects from museum’s permanent collection, present window into world whose eventual collapse led to abandoned cities & the end of elite society in that region.

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

*(new show) May 3-25, “Paintings On Paper,” works by Rosemarie Beck, Catherine Drabkin, Phyllis Floyd, Barbara Grossman & Victor Pesce; May 3, opening reception.

Wooster Community Art Center, 73 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury. Gallery hours: M-F 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Call 744-4825.

*(new show) May 6-June 30, prints & drawings by Marc Chabot; May 9, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield 06877.

May 12: Slide submissions due (postmarked) for consideration in “Radius: Emerging Artists from Connecticut & Southeastern New York,” $10 processing fee due w/ entries, entries will be considered for annual juried group exhibition of artists working in all media who have not yet had one-person show in established gallery, send SASE or visit www.AldrichArt.org for full prospectus.

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

May 12-13: Auditions for Batboy the Musical, 7-9 pm, experienced musical theater performers sought (note: no non-singing roles) & all 10 cast members must possess strong voices & be skillful musicians who can switch from pop to country to rock to ballad, arrived prepared w/ best 16 bars that show range, power & confidence, accompanist provided, BYO sheet music, be prepared to learn movement combination & to read from script, seeking multi-racial casting (visit www.TheatreWorks.us for cast descriptions), rehearsals to begin late May, performances Fri-Sat July 18-Aug 23.

Town Players, The Little Theatre, Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown. Call  270-9144 (theater, lvg msg), RBaumgartner@fair1.fairfield.edu (director’s email).

May 5-6: Auditions for All’s Well That Ends Well, 7-9:30 pm, all roles open, arrive at theater ready to read from script and without any assumed accents, director is Ruth Anne Baumgartner, Town Players’ production of Shakespeare work will be presented in Fri-Sat July 11-Aug 2 incl 1 Sun mat.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

May 2: Yale Alley Cats at Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 7 pm, tickets $50 incl performance, cocktails & hors d’oeuvres, silent auction & art exhibit by students of Devereux Glenholme School, gala celebration of theater’s change from Country Players of Brookfield to new name & direction of theater will be highlighted by performance of a cappella group from Yale Univ; 775-0023.

May 2: Westover School Spring Dance Concert, LBD Auditorium, 1237 Whittemore Rd/Rte 188 (on the green), Middlebury, adm by donation (reservations requested), 7:30 pm, faculty & student works incl tap, classical ballet, hip hop & modern dance, also vocal selections, reception w/ refreshments, raffle & silent auction; 203-577-4535.

May 2: Stealin’ Back at The Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, adm $3, performances begin 8 pm, opening performances by Jovian (8 pm) & Slow Noise (8:45) followed by headlining set by bluegrass-flavored folk-rock band, all in support of museum’s current exhibition “Play”; 203-438-4519.

May 2: St John’s Chorale Annual Spring Concert, Saint John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students, performance of Dvorak’s Mass in D Major & Janacek’s Mass in E-flat Major (“The Unfinished Mass”) by 20-member choral will be conducted by Mark R. Scholtz, performance repeats May 4; 860-868-2527.

May 2: “Yiddish Theatre To The Broadway Musical,” Naugatuck Valley Community College Chorus & Orchestra concert, NVCC Mainstage Theatre, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 8 pm, suggested donation $10, orchestra & 90-voice choir will incl Yiddish classics & songs from Fiddler on The Roof, also Rodgers & Hammerstein & Cole Porter favorites; 203-575-8039.

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

May 3: “Men Without Instruments: An A Cappella Showcase,” Danbury High School auditorium, Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, 7 pm, tickets $10 adults, $7 seniors, $5 students, performances featuring HatCity Acapella, Brandeis University’s VoiceMale, UConn’s ConnMen & Danbury High School’s Treblemakers, proceeds will benefit scholarship fund for DHS graduating seniors in choral program.

May 3: Apollo Theater Amateur Night, The Klein, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, 8 pm, tickets $10-$35, 14 finalists (selected during auditions in March) competing for prize money & chance to perform at The Apollo in New York, performances will incl poetry reading, singing, dancing, rapping, comedy, more; 203-345-4800.

May 4: “Pasticcio: A Family Concert,” Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury (WCSU campus), 3 pm, free “patchwork of symphonic music” by Danbury Community Orchestra will incl dances, folk songs, Beethoven & Brahms, also Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto w/ guest soloist James Palmer of Newtown, concert suitable for entire family; 748-1716.

May 4: St Stephen’s Choir with Orchestra in concert, at St Stephen’s Church, 351 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, suggested donation $10, performance of two opening movements of Bach’s B minor Mass will concludes church’s 2002-03 Sunday Afternoon Concert Series; 203-438-3789.

May 4: “A Symphony of Psalms: CT Choral Society Spring Concert,” First Congregational Church, West St at Deer Hill Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, tickets $18/avance, $20/door, performances of Handel’s Dixit Dominus, Stravinksy’s Symphony of Psalms & Mendelssohn’s Hear My Prayer, chorus accompanied by CT Choral Society Orchestra, featured soloists & directed by John Robert Liepold; 800-555-5250.

May 4: “A Jubilant Song: Connecticut Chamber Choir Anniversary Concert,” First Presbyterian Church, 2475 Easton Tpke, Fairfield, 4 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 students & seniors, free ages 12 & under, 25 years of choral performance will be celebrated w/ season-closing concert to incl works of Britten, Rossini, Laurdisen, Dello Joio & others; 261-3216.

May 4: St John’s Chorale Annual Spring Concert, Saint John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington, 4 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students, performance of Dvorak’s Mass in D Major & Janacek’s Mass in E-flat Major (“The Unfinished Mass”) by 20-member choral will be conducted by Mark R. Scholtz; 860-868-2527.

May 4: “A Symphony of Psalms,” First Congregational Church, Deer Hill Ave (at West St), Danbury, 4 pm, tickets $18/advance, $20/door, spring concert by CT Choral Society will incl groundbreaking psalm settings incl works of Handel, Mendelssohn & Stravinsky, guest soloists Boyd Schlaefer & Susanne Peck; 800-555-5250.

May 4: The Bad Plus at Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $30, Minneapolis-based jazz band (bassist Reid Anderson, pianist Ethan Iverson, & drummer David King) also draws inspiration from dance, pop & rock, performance will incl graceful & unique originals & “deconstructed covers” of Nirvana, Blondie & Aphex Twin; 203-438-4519.

May 7: Naugatuck Valley Community College Jazz Band Spring Concert, NVCC Mainstage Theatre, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 8 pm, suggested donation $10, 22-pc band directed by Joseph Jacovino Jr will perform varied program; 203-575-8039.

May 8: Housatonic Valley Waldorf School Spring Concert, at Newtown Congregational Church building, 41-A Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 6:30-8:30 pm; 364-1113.

May 9: Brown Bag Concerts: Pianist Denise DelMonte, Creative Music & Arts, 731 Main St/Rte 25, Monroe, 12-1 pm, free performances, bring lunch & enjoy performance of inspirational music; 261-7301.

May 10: “Broadway Tonight,” Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25 (at the flagpole), Newtown, 7 pm, tickets $7 adults, $5 seniors and ages 12 and under, spring concert by Newtown Choral Society will feature the music of Weill, Bernstein, Sondheim and others; 426-3769.

May 10: Peter Noone at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $50-$150, performance by “Herman” of Herman’s Hermits, proceeds will benefit Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation & Paul Newman’s Hole in The Wall Gang Camp; 203-438-5795.

May 10: “An All-American Concert,” Danbury Symphony Orchestra at Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury (WCSU campus), 8 pm, free performance by DSO will incl performances of American Salute, dramatic reading of A Lincoln Portrait by Mayor Mark Boughton, Barber’s Violin Concerto w/ guest violinist 15-year old Tema Watstein, also works of Copland & John Corigliano; 748-1716.

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

Subscription $32 (good for all season), students age 18 & under free, guests (attending w/ member) $12, post-performance receptions w/ performers: May 3, pianist Jeffrey Biegel, 8 pm, first prize winner of Marguerite Long International Piano Competition.

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

May 4, “Pasticcio: A Family Concert,” 3 pm, free “patchwork of symphonic music” by Danbury Community Orchestra will incl dances, folk songs, Beethoven & Brahms, also Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto w/ guest soloist James Palmer of Newtown, concert suitable for entire family; May 10, “An All-American Concert,” 8 pm, free performance by Danbury Symphony Orchestra will incl performances of American Salute, dramatic reading of A Lincoln Portrait by Mayor Mark Boughton, Barber’s Violin Concerto w/ guest violinist 15-year old Tema Watstein, also works of Copland & John Corigliano (call Danbury Music Centre for details, 748-1716).

Merryall Center for the Arts, Chapel Hill Rd (off Merryall Rd), New Milford. Call 860-354-7264.

Performances 8:30 pm (unless noted), tickets $15, season tickets available: May 3, opening wine & cheese reception, 5-7 pm, members, friends & prospective members invited to celebrate opening of 52nd season; May 10, Frank & Hank, drummer Frank Milligan & his son Hank on grand piano w/ evening of “upbeat yet intimate” familiar jazz tunes, cabaret setting.

New Haven Symphony Orchestra, (box office) 33 Whitney Ave; performances in Woolsey Hall, College & Grove St, New Haven. Call 203-776-1444, 800/292-NHSO.

Performances 7:30 pm, tickets $15-$48 unless indicated:

Newtown Choral Society, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St (at the flag-pole), Newtown. Call 426-3769.

May 10, “Broadway Tonight,” 7 pm, tickets $7 adults, $5 seniors and ages 12 and under, spring concert by Newtown Choral Society will feature the music of Weill, Bernstein, Sondheim and others.

Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra, at Ridgefield Playhouse for Music and Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-3889.

May 4, debut concert by RSYO, 4 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 ages 12 & under, director Jonathan Schiffman will lead program of works by Bartok, Haydn (w/ soloists Andrea Reinhardt & Jeffrey Reinhardt), Bach & Vivaldi.

Films _________________

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

May 2-8: Assassination Tango (R), daily 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 4:15 pm; Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13), daily 7:05 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 & 4:25 pm; City Of God (R), daily 6:50 & 9:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4:05 pm; He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not (NR), daily 7:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 pm; Nowhere In Africa (NR), daily 6:40 & 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 3:55 pm.

Easton Library, 691 Morehouse Rd at Center St, Easton. Call 261-7939.

May 8: The Exile (1947), 7:30 pm, free screening.

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

May 2-7: How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:05 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

IMAX film through June 12: Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West, Mon-Fri 11 am, noon, 1, 2 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, noon, 1, 2 3 & 4 pm.

IMAX double features through June 12: Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West and The Discoverers, Fri-Sun 7 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

May 3: Annual Housatonic Valley Waldorf School May Fair, at HVS Grade School Building, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Newtown (Dodgingtown), 11 am-3 pm, celebrate spring with children’s Maypole dancing and other activities, music performance, potluck food and more; 364-1113.

May 4: Girl Scout Camp Candlewood Open House, New Fairfield, 11 am-3 pm rain or shine, free open house for parents & girls to learn about activities offered during Girl Scout Summer Camps, 1- & 2-week sessions for day & resident camps available June 30-Aug 8, daily bus transportation & some financial aid available, call for directions & other details; 203-762-5557 x11.

May 4: “Pasticcio: A Family Concert,” Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury (WCSU campus), 3 pm, free “patchwork of symphonic music” by Danbury Community Orchestra will incl dances, folk songs, Beethoven & Brahms, also Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto w/ guest soloist James Palmer of Newtown, concert suitable for entire family; 748-1716.

May 6: Magic Story Hour, Tarrywile Park Mansion, Southern Blvd, Danbury, 11 am-noon, free program w/ storyteller Joyce Marie Rayno for preschoolers, pre-registration requested; 744-3130.

May 8: Housatonic Valley Waldorf School Spring Concert, at Newtown Congregational Church building, 41-A Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 6:30-8:30 pm; 364-1113.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Danbury Square, 15 Backus Ave, Danbury. Call 730-2733.

Free public programs: May 8, Mother’s Day Storytime, 11 am, stories about Mother’s Day; May 8, reading, discussion & book signing w/ Laurie Krebs, 7 pm, join children’s book author & former Ridgefield teacher in celebrating release of latest book, We All Went On Safari; May 9, Little Nut Brown Hare, 11 am, meet Nut Brown Hare when he visits for stories.

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

Free programs (unless specified): May 3, Mother’s Day Craft Workshop, 1-2 pm, $2 materials fee (due at in-person registration), ages 6 & up invited to craft time w/ Marie Walker; May 5, Young Adult Stamping Workshop, 4-6 pm, $5 materials fee (due at workshop), stamp art workshop for grades 5-8 (no younger siblings, please) conducted by Barbara Shohet will incl instruction on making greeting cards, stationary, gift boxes & more.

Miscellaneous ___________

May 2: Merryhill Child Care Art Auction, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Route 25, Newtown, preview 6:30 pm, auction begins 7:30, tickets $10, fundraiser for Merryhill’s “Buy The Building” Fund will offer art in all media & price ranges & honor First Selectman Herb Rosenthal, also door prizes, cash bar; 426-7001, 426-9847.

May 2-4: Tent Sale, Wayne Pratt Antiques, 346 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 10 am-6 pm daily, free adm, demo by Jeffrey Arnstein “Caring For Your Furniture” (Sat 1 pm), Mr Arnstein also available (Sat only) for private consultations; 203-263-5676.

May 3: AAUW Spring Breakfast, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8:30 am, $25 ($10 of which will benefit Leonette Wishard Endowed Fellowship), Bridgeport Area Branch of American Association of University Women breakfast event will include program by guest speaker Polly Brody.

May 3: Donut Drive-Thru, St John’s Episcopal Church, Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 10 am-2pm, homemade donuts, doughboys & scones, also gourmet coffee; 426-3112.

May 3: 2nd Annual Sandy Hook Arts & Crafts Festival, Sandy Hook Center, 10 am-3 pm, show and sale by fine artists and crafters, also farmer’s market, children’s crafts, pony rides and petting zoo, hooked rug display, more, all events within walking distance.

May 3: Annual Housatonic Valley Waldorf School May Fair, at HVS Grade School Building, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Newtown (Dodgingtown), 11 am-3 pm, celebrate spring with children’s Maypole dancing and other activities, music performance, potluck food and more; 364-1113.

May 3: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner incl salad, desserts, and soft drinks/coffee raises funds each month for church, all welcome, coffee house/musical event follows (see details under Concerts); 426-0617.

May 3: Timeless Treasures Tag Sale, Trinity Episcopal Church, 91 Church St, Seymour, 8 am-2 pm, misc items from members of church; 203-888-6596.

May 3: Tag & Bake Sale, Harmony Grange, Rte 110 at 111, Monroe, 9 am-4 pm, combined event being presented by Harmony & Trumbull granges, kitchen will also be open for lunch; 268-3480.

May 3: Beginners’ hike at Tarrywile Park, Southern Blvd, Danbury, 10 am start, free 45 min hike over easy terrain at easy pace, bring water, canceled if heavy rain, pre-registration required; 744-3130.

May 3: St George’s Church Tag Sale, Tucker Hill Rd, Middlebury, 10 am-3 pm rain or shine, items from homes of members, also baked goods & lunch items; 203-758-9864, 203-598-7091.

May 3: “Luma” at Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, shows at 2 & 8 pm, all matinee seats $15, evening show $20-$25 adults, $15 adults & ages 15 & under, show takes light & “sculpts it into dynamic forms that dance, spin, orbit & enchant”; 203-438-5795.

May 3: 11th St Thomas’ church Spring Auction, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 6:30-8:30 pm, free adm, gift items & baskets from local businesses, refreshments, door prizes all evening; 748-2089.

May 3-4: 4th Annual Painting Picnic, different sites around New Milford each Sat & Wed morning until Oct, all pleine aire painters, photographers, etc welcome, hosted by Housatonic Art League; 860-355-0349.

May 4: Danbury Railway Museum Big Train Show, WCSU’s Bill Williams Gymnasium (main campus), Danbury, 10 am-3 pm, adm $7 adults $3 ages 5-12, 100+ tables of railroad collectibles, gifts, models & books for purchase, also operating layouts, refreshments, shuttle bus running between show & Danbury Railway Museum (Railfair, see separate listing; adm for train show allows adm into Railfair); 778-8337.

May 4: “Serendipity 2003: A Fine Art and Craft Show,” Ballard Park, Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, annual spring art & craft market by Ridgefield Guild of Artists features 100+ artists & artisans from throughout Northeast exhibiting & offering demonstrations all day, also free art classes for children led by RGA teachers; 203-438-8863.

May 4: Spring Railfair 2003, Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, adm $7 adults, $3 ages 5-12, annual spring event offers programs/lectures/discussions on railroading & related activities incl track laying demos, how cars couple & uncouple, operating rail yard rides, gift shop open, refreshments, etc, coincides w/ Danbury Railway Museum Big Train Show at WCSU (adm for RailFair allows adm into train show); 778-8337.

May 4: 2nd Annual Dream Come True Ride For Dreams, Sacred Heart Church, Rte 172 (at Main St South/Rte 6), Southbury, rides begin 1 pm, 10-mile Family Fun Ride & 20-mile Challenge Course available, $25 adults, $10 ages 18 & under, registration available at event, all riders must wear helmets, all proceeds will go directly towards fulfilling dreams of local chronically or terminally ill children; 203-263-7268.

May 4: Girl Scout Camp Candlewood Open House, New Fairfield, 11 am-3 pm rain or shine, free open house for parents & girls to learn about activities offered during Girl Scout Summer Camps, 1- & 2-week sessions for day & resident camps available June 30-Aug 8, daily bus transportation & some financial aid available, call for directions & other details; 203-762-5557 x11.

May 4: “Meeting Sri Anandi Ma: ‘I Know She’s In A Place in Which I’d Like To Be,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by yoga center’s business manager & daily meditator Cinda Lucas will be followed by group meditation & tea reception, all welcome; 203-263-2254.

May 5: Housatonic Valley Group/Sierra Club meeting, Newtown Congregational Church house, 41-A Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free & open to all, program by Laurie Cooper (from Alaska Rainforest Coalition) on “The Alaska Rainforest & The Arctic Wildlife Refuge”; 792-1209, 775-9644.

May 5: BookTalk program, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free discussion of Carol Cothran Larsen’s Your Donkey’s in My Garden! led by the author; 264-1716, 262-6123.

May 7: “The Basics of Birdwatching,” EMS store, Danbury Fair Mall, 7 pm, free presentation & discussion by Pat Cummins of CT Audubon Society, followed by optional trip to Audubon Center in Pomfret to put new knowledge to use, pre-registration required; 794-1043.

May 8: “The Buildings Behind The Builders,” Flanders Nature Center & Land Trust, 614 Flanders Rd, Woodbury, noon, bring light lunch (dessert & beverages provided), program by Flanders director Arthur Milnor on the facades of the nature center, reservations requested, part of weekly “History Bites: Putting A Face on History” series; 203-263-3711.

May 8: “A Time For Tea,” The Inn at Villa Bianca, Rte 34, Seymour, 11:30-1 pm, $14, program by Laurel Christian Women’s Club will feature program by Sheila Calvert on “The Traditions of English Tea,” BYO tea cup if you wish, also full lunch, live music by Frances Marcano, free nursery for infacts to age 5 (RSVP needed by May 4); 270-8079, 261-5539, 203-888-7047.

May 9: Brookfield Philatelic Society meeting, Brookfield Community Center, Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 7:30 pm, free & open to anyone interested in stamps & collecting, 50-lot stamp auction, also circuit books & club stamps will be available; 792-0341.

May 9-10: 13th Annual SVFA Ladies Auxiliary Mother’s Day Plant Sale, Center Firehouse, Main St/Rte 6, Southbury, Fri 12-7 pm, Sat 9 am-3 pm, hanging baskets filled w/ ivy, geraniums, begonias & more, also flats of annuals incl impatiens, marigolds, petunias & more, also individual potted plants, proceeds will benefit auxiliary’s scholarship fund.

May 10: 6th Annual Town & Country Garden Club Plant Sale, The Inn at Newtown, 19 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 9 am-2 pm, member-grown perennials, flower-filled baskets, etc, rain or shine; 426-5359.

May 10: Birdwatching Walk at Tarrywile Park, Southern Blvd, Danbury, 8-10:30 am, free annual program led by Barbara Starr (Swampfield Land Trust) will start from park’s lower parking lot, bring binoculars & bird books if poss, wear rugged footwear, pre-registration suggested; 744-3130.

May 10: Beginners’ hike at Tarrywile Park, Southern Blvd, Danbury, 10 am start, free 45 min hike over easy terrain at easy pace, bring water, canceled if heavy rain, pre-registration required; 744-3130.

May 10: Intermediate hike at Tarrywile Park, Southern Blvd, Danbury, 10:45 am start, 2½-hour hike over moderate terrain at steady pace, age 12 & up, bring water & small snack, canceled if heavy rain, pre-registration required; 744-3130.

May 10: Butcher’s Bonanza BBQ, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, begins 5pm, tickets $12 adults, $6 ages 6-12, annual picnic features pig roast, chicken, hamburgers & hot dogs, salads, desserts & soft drinks, on church lawn (or indoors if rain), proceeds divided between church’s programs & missions & local outreach within community; 748-6112.

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: May 4, Bird Walk, 7 pm, bird enthusiast & author Polly Brody will lead all levels of birders in walk during most exciting month for watching birds (birds are returning north & raising new generations, also in their most colorful breeding plumage & full of territorial song); May 4, Wildflower Walk, 2 pm, suggested donation $5, center manager John Longstreth will lead program to look for early spring wildflowers (ephemerals); May 6, Nature Walk for Adults, 9 am, suggested donation $5, learn to identify early spring birds by sight & song, designed for moderately active & is on mostly level ground w/ occasional slope.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Danbury Square, 15 Backus Ave, Danbury. Call 730-2733.

May 4, book signing & discussion w/ Sydney Eddison, 3 pm, author of The Gardener’s Palette will discuss her latest (5th) release; May 8, reading, discussion & book signing w/ Laurie Krebs, 7 pm, join children’s book author & former Ridgefield teacher in celebrating release of latest book, We All Went On Safari.

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

POSTPONED: May 16, Agnes DeMille Dancing at The Library, show to be rescheduled for Sept.

Programs free unless noted: May 6, Non-Fiction Book Club meeting, 1 pm, discussion of Howard Fast’s April Morning, all welcome; May 12, Daytime Book Club meeting, 1 pm, discussion of Kazuo Ishiguro’s The Artist of The Floating World, all welcome; May 13, “Job Hunting Strategies For A Jobless Recovery,” 1 pm, free program by Janice Weinberg (author of How To Win The Job You Really Want).

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: May 2, “Discovering Form” by sculptor Philip Grausman, how Mr Grausman uses drawing, art history & materials to create sculpture, how he sees things & the importance of geometry as continuing theme.

Springtime Bird Walks: Each Sun in May, begins 7:30 at Trail House, free, members of Western CT Bird Club will lead walks through trails & fields to help participants find natural habitats & learn which species make their home in each habitat & which are heading further north for summer.

Springtime Botany Walks: Each Sun in May, begins 1 pm at Trail House, free, members of Pomperaug Valley Garden Club will lead walks along Botany Trail to discover some of center’s 250+ species of native wildflowers, trees, shrubs & ferns, & also to see results of last fall’s dredging & planting project.

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

May 3, Raised Iroquois beading workshop, 10:30 am-2:30 pm, $25, Janice Us & Ann Lowe-Salmon will teach how to bead using Iroquis raised beading technique, suitable for all ages, projects based on past experience levels.

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

Meetings 2nd & 4th Sun each month, 4-6 pm, $20: May 11, “Conversations With The Other Side” w/ clairvoyant & spiritual medium Cheri Scheinin.

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: May 3, Naugatuck State Forest, 6-mile loop (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); May 10, Sam’s Point, N.Y., meet at 8 am, all-day hike, optional dinner out (Morie Coburn, 203-937-8067); May 17, Farmington Rail-Trail – hike, bike or roller blade (Ester Nichols, 426-2897, Pilgrim555@aol.com).

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.

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: May 14, watercolor program by Marija McCarthy.

May 3-11, 33rd Annual Spring Juried Art Show, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St, Newtown, works by members & non-members in acrylic, graphics, mixed media, pastel, printmaking, oil, sculpture & watercolor.

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 Series, 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 work-shop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: May 7, Claire Zoghb, freelance graphic artist, book designer & multi-published poet; May 14, Sou MacMillan, latest chapbook is All The Missing Things That I Love.

Theatre ______________

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

Mainstage: The Triumph of Love, through June 1 (previews to May 6.

On Stage II: Two Days: Last Tuesday and July 7, 1994 (two Donald Margulies one-acts), through May 11.

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

The King Of Memphis: The Music of Elvis, May 8-June 8, 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.

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

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

The Laramie Project, through May 24, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 11 only) 2 pm, tickets $15.

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

Barefoot in the Park, May 2-24, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 18 only) 2 pm, evening performances $12, mat tickets $10, season tickets available.