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.

Sundays  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.

Sundays 8th season Clinton Village Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market, 327 East Main St/Rte 1, Clinton; 860-669-3839.

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__ _____

Barn Hill Studio & Gallery, Rte 110, Monroe. Hours: Fri-Sat 12-6. Call 268-4225.

*(new show) May 4-June 8: “Breaking New Ground: Art from the Garden – A Spring Celebration of Women Painters,” featuring paintings by Barbara Bernstein & Beverly Branch, also garden sculpture by Joe DeMarco, watercolors by Florence Dohanos, photography by Lynn A. Traverse, paintings & sculpture by Julia Provey, photography by Edmond Ross, ceramic art by Linda Dohanos, and prints by Stevan Dohanos; May 4, opening reception, 1-4 pm.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — *(new show) May 4-31: “Wesley Learning Center Student Art Show,” works in various mediums by more than 150 students of the Sandy Hook-based school; May 4, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

On library’s main floor — *(new show) Through May 31: “The Regis Roman Leven Collection,” Limoges & Herend china pcs collected by the late Newtown resident & donated to library by her husband, Gary Leven, in his wife’s honor.

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 May 31: jewelry & paintings by Pat Gullet, who also teaches at BCC; May 18, Meet the Artist Reception, 2-4 pm.

Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rtes 133 & 25), Brookfield Center. Hours: Sat 12-4 pm, first Sun of month, by appt & chance. Call 740-8140.

*(new show) May 3-Sept 1: “The Brookfield Attic,” summer exhibition will share some of more than 30,000 artifacts from museum’s permanent collection incl paintings, textiles, photos, handcrafts, Native American artifacts & info on early settlers, all which tell “rich & unique history of the town”; May 3-4, grand opening weekend, 12-4 pm.

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.

*(new show) May 7-June 30: “Six Star Legacy: The World War II Diorama Military Art of Combat Artist Richard Dana Kuchta.”

*(new show) Through summer: found object sculpture on library’s front lawn incl totem pole constructed of old propane tanks, motorcycle riders formed from car parts & kinetic sculptures that move in the wind.

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.

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.

Through 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.

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

Through Dec 31: “Made For Trade: Realities of Economic Survival,” articles once made for personal use that eventually became valuable commodities to be sold or traded for manufactured goods.

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.

*(new show) May 6: special one-day presentation of work by Sandy Hook resident Richard Budman.

Litchfield Historical Society, 7 South St, Kent. Hours (mid-April to Nov): Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 860-567-4501.

*(new show) Through Nov 30: “To Please Any Taste: Litchfield County Furniture and Furniture Makers, 1780-1830,” exploration of regional furniture & its makers focuses on identifying style, construction techniques & regional attributes, also interpretation of the furniture as a reflection of the rapid economic & social changes in Litchfield during time period of exhibition dates; May 16, “Hartford’s Role in the Origins of Antique Collecting in America,” 5:30 pm, free lecture by William Hosley at St Michael’s Church House, 25 South St, Litchfield, registration required, reception to follow at museum.

Mocha Coffee House, 3 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook. Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30 am-9 pm, Sat 7:30 am-10 pm, Sun 9 am-7 pm. Call 364-9200.

*(new show) Through May 31: handmade spirit dolls by local artist Paul Brinkman.

Morrison Gallery, Kent Village Barns, 8 Old Barn Rd (near Rte 7 at Rte 341), Kent. Hours: Wed-Sat 10:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 860-927-4501.

Through May 25: more than 15 new oil paintings by celebrated Italian artist Alberto Mancini & 6 bronze sculptures by John Balsamo.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Call 203-432-5050.

Through July 19: “Las Artes de Mexico,” celebration of rich & diverse artistic traditions of Mexico from ancient worlds of Mayas & Aztecs to great 20th Century works of Miguel Covarrubias, Jose Clemente Orozco & Diego Rivera, also pre-Colombian artifacts, Mexican textiles.

Savage Studio, 68 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury. Hours: Fri-Sun 12-6 pm. Call 743-3000.

*(new show) May 2-10: “Mother’s Day Show,” ceramic flower vessels by Phyllis Savage incl massive wood fired vessels in deep earthy colors, ikebana pots, rough hewn wall hanging bud vases & graceful porcelain vases.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Tues-Fri 11 am-5 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

Through May 11: “Impressionists By The Sea,” exploration of the transformation of Normandy & Brittany coasts as depicted by French artists of 19th Century (incl Monet, Renoir & Manet), compared to works of predecessors (Corot, Courbet, Isabey, Jongkind & Whistler) & contemporaries allied w/ Paris Salon (Boudin, Daubigny & Pelouse), all arranged chronologically, also travel books & postcards of the period, **note: exhibition has addt’l $10 adm fee on top of regular museum adm (plus $3 adm added to all admissions April 24-27, during Fine Art & Flowers).

Through July 13: “Making A Splash: American Beach Fashions, 1850-1920,” complement to “Impressionists By The Sea” offers original costume items plus period photos & prints to explore fashions worn at American seaside during Victorian & Edwardian eras while exploring the roots of American bathing costumes in reform dress for water cures & private exercise, also exploration of beach as a setting for relaxation, public recreation & the promenading of latest fashions on the boardwalk.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

*(new show) May 3-June 1: “Water, Water Everywhere…,” paper lithographs by Roxanne Faber Savage, graphic designs by Paul Manlove & oil paintings by Greta Waller, “three artists … whose freedom of invention taken them to personal expressions in print, graphic design & oils w/ a refreshing twist”; May 3, artists’ reception (public invited), 4-6 pm.

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.

Black Rock Art Walk, through International Performing Arts, Inc., Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-366-3667.

Applications due for artists interested in Black Rock Art Walks 2008, 6-9 pm 1st & 3rd Fri/month, May 2-Oct 3 (no walk July 4), area artists & craftspeople set up works along sidewalks of Fairfield Ave (betw Brewster St & Gilman St), if rain event moves into Black Rock Art Center, contact Mary Lou Morong at phone # above, PaddleShell@yahoo.com or info@BlackRockArtWalk.org, or visit BlackRockArtWalk.org for details & application.

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.

Palm Rebekah Lodge #43, 25 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford. Call 860-355-0243.

May 17: Vendors sought for craft fair, will run 9 am-4 pm, non-refundable $35 fee for space, call phone # above or visit OddfellowsCT.org for details.

Pomperaug Woods, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury. Call 267-2899 x186.

June 7: Artists & crafters invited to exhibit & sell work for Senior Art Show & 20th Anniversary Celebration, 1-4 pm, original handmade work accepted, vendors must provide their own tents, call Becky Butler or Lisa Huebenthal for info.

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,

Town Players of New Canaan, Powerhouse Performing Arts Center, Waveny Park, New Canaan. Call 914-953-2710.

May 19-21: Auditions to The Fantasticks, open auditions Mon-Tues, callbacks (if needed) Wed, all begin 7:30 pm, director Michael Day has openings for 6 men & 2 women of varying ages & voices for production based on book & lyrics by Tom Jones, music by Harvey Schmidt, w/ producers Lynne Bolton & Sheri Dean, music director Stan Wietrzychowski, for production to be staged weekends July 25-Aug 9 incl 2 Sunday mats, contact director at above phone # for details.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

May 2: “Spring Jubilation,” Naugatuck Valley Community College Mainstage, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 8 pm, suggested donation $10, special performance by NVCC Gospel Choir w/ special guests Zion Baptist Church Fifth Sunday Choir for rousing & inspirational performance; 203-596-8615, 203-768-9158.

May 3: NUMC Coffee House, 7:45–10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Road, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate Misc listing), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-9998.

May 3: 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.

May 3-4: WCSU Opera performances of Gian Carlo Menotti’s The Telephone & Seymour Barab’s Game of Chance, Western CT State Univ Alumni Hall, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 8 pm, adm by donation; 837-8350.

May 4: Danbury Community Orchestra at Western CT State University’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance by 85-member orchestra made up of adult & teen musicians will incl CT premiere of Concerto for English Horn and Orchestra (w/ featured soloist James Thoensen) by Robert Edward Smith, also first movement of William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony, plus works of Beethoven & Holst; 748-1716.

May 4: The Tricordes at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free concert by violinist Andrew Smith, cellist Andrea Mills & guitarist Daniel Corr will incl works of Haydn, Johanson, Magi & de Fossa, light reception to follow, continues library’s Afternoons at The Arbor concert series; 775-6241 x104.

May 4: Brookfield High School Small Group Chorus concert at Canterbury School chapel, 101 Aspetuck Ave, New Milford, 3:30 pm, free performance by choral group of 24 singers ages 16-18 directed by John MaMendola will incl works of Palestrina, Handel, Pedroia, Rutter, Bach, Ramirez, Bernstein & Mozart; 775-7725, 860-210-3800.

May 4: Connecticut’s Own Concert Series: The Amore Trio, Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 4 pm, free, reservations strongly suggested (pre-registrants must arrive by 3:50 or risk losing seats); 203-762-3950.

May 5: “A Symphony of Fables,” US Air Force Band of Liberty Concert Band at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 7 pm, free performance (reservations suggested) by flagship of USAF Band of Liberty will incl classics, works of Sousa, salute to armed services, Symphony of Fables composed by Julie Giroux & other selections; 426-8026.

May 6: “Musical Innovation” by The Wind Ensemble of Western Connecticut, Naugatuck Valley Community College Mainstage Theatre, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 7:30 pm, donations accepted, selections to incl works of Byrd, Bach, Beethoven, Holst, Prokofiev, Ticheli, Goodman & the Beatles; 426-6148, 203-768-9158.

May 7: “American Songbook” by Alamanda Women’s Choir, South Britain Congregational Church, Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd, South Britain, 7:30 pm, suggested donation $10, performance of choral music spanning 1860s-1960s incl spirituals, folk songs & legendary hits will be performed by women’s choir directed by Amy Bernon, light reception to follow; 203-232-7857.

May 11: WCSU Symphony Orchestra Mother’s Day Brunch, Western CT State Univ Warner Hall, Fifth Ave (off White St/Rte 6), Danbury, 11 am, tickets $15 adults, $10 students, free for moms & listeners age 12 & under, brunch in Warner Hall to be followed by performance in Ives Concert Hall (within walking distance), reservations requested, concert to incl works of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Milhaud & Sibelius; 837-8486.

Ives Concert Hall at Western CT State University, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Free concerts, 8 pm unless noted: May 4, Danbury Community Orchestra, 3 pm, free performance by 85-member orchestra made up of adult & teen musicians will incl CT premiere of Concerto for English Horn and Orchestra (w/ featured soloist James Thoensen) by Robert Edward Smith, also first movement of William Grant Still’s Afro-American Symphony, plus works of Beethoven & Holst (call 748-1716 for info); May 4, “Saxofestivus,” 7 pm, performances by WCSU Saxophone Quartets & WCSU Saxophone Ensemble, program to incl compositions by Bach, Piazzola, Debussy, Led Zeppelin & Romero, donations accepted & will benefit WCSU Music Dept; May 7, WCSU Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble Concert, 3 pm, performance celebrating 10th anniv of Prof of Music Dr Fernando Jimenez’s first concert at WCSU will incl works of Ticheli, Copland, Mozart & Mozart, donations accepted & will benefit WCSU Music Dept.

Norwalk Youth Symphony, Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave, Norwalk. Call 203-866-4100.

May 11, Annual Spring Concert, 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students & seniors, for for potential members & their families, music teachers & ages 5 & under, final concert of 52nd season will incl performances by Principal Orchestra (Shostakovich’s Overture Festivo, Op. 96; 3rd movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op.64 feat Andrew Monk, Dvorak’s  Nottorno for String Orchestra, Op.40 & Respighi’s Pini di Roma (The Pines of Rome), Symphonic Poem for Orchestra), Prelude Orchestra (Greensleeves “Hopak” from Moussorgsky’s The Fair at Sorochinsk & 1st movement of J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3), Philharmonia Orchestra (Symphonic Suite from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by Shore, selections from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber & Summon the Heroes by John Williams) & Concert Orchestra (Rimsky-Korsakoff’s The Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36 & selections from Rodger’s The Sound of Music).

Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 268-8570.

Weekly Ballroom Dancing, Wed 7-11 pm, adm $15 (incl buffet), music provided by DJ, free dance lesson (7:15-7:45 pm), cash bar, door prizes, singles, couples & beginners all welcome.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: May 16, Bobby “Blue” Bland & Koko Taylor, $70 & $75.

Roots Music Coffeehouse, at Common Ground Annex dance studio (former CityCenter Dance Factory space), 345 Main St, Danbury. Call 417-9607.

Doors open 7:30 pm, open mic at 8, featured performer at 9, suggested donation $10/adv, $12/door: May 10, Clearwater Song Circle: Mel and Vinnie headlining, Great Blue openin.

Films _________________

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

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction? screenings 7 pm: May 6, The Great Global Warming Swindle; May 13, Dimming the Sun.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury. Call 797-4533.

Independent Film Series, free, screenings at 2 pm: May 4, Brazilian film Ginger and Cinnamon.

Teen Movie Night series, for students in grades 6-12, 7 pm, free but adv reservations & permission slips required (call teen librarian, 797-4528): May 17, I Am Legend (PG-13).

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.

May 2-7: Walt Disney’s College Road Trip (G), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4505 (Junior Dept, 797-4528).

May 3, Hobey Ford’s Golden Rod Puppets, 11 am, performance of The Rainbow Bridge, a collection of teaching tales about self-respect, respect for others & the world around us by Mr Ford, acclaimed puppeteer from Ashville, N.C., suitable for entire family, registration not required; May 9, KinderReady Families: Sorting, 10:30-11:30 am, programs for children ages 3-5 & parents helps strengthen children’s skills before entering kindergarten, different skill focused on each month, registration required (call 797-4528); May 10, Baby & Me drop-in story time, 10:30-11:15 am, rhymes, songs & stories for babies 3-23 months & parent of caregiver, no registration needed; May 10, “I Love My Mommy: Mother’s Day Stories & Crafts,” 2:30-3:30 pm, children ages 5-8 invited, registration required (call 797-4285).

Teen Movie Night series, for students in grades 6-12, 7 pm, free but adv reservations & permission slips required (call teen librarian, 797-4528): May 17, I Am Legend (PG-13).

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.

Norwalk Youth Symphony, Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave, Norwalk. Call 203-866-4100.

May 11, Annual Spring Concert, 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students & seniors, for for potential members & their families, music teachers & ages 5 & under, final concert of 52nd season will incl performances by Principal Orchestra (Shostakovich’s Overture Festivo, Op. 96; 3rd movement of Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op.64 feat Andrew Monk, Dvorak’s  Nottorno for String Orchestra, Op.40 & Respighi’s Pini di Roma (The Pines of Rome), Symphonic Poem for Orchestra), Prelude Orchestra (Greensleeves “Hopak” from Moussorgsky’s The Fair at Sorochinsk & 1st movement of J.S. Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3), Philharmonia Orchestra (Symphonic Suite from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by Shore, selections from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Weber & Summon the Heroes by John Williams) & Concert Orchestra (Rimsky-Korsakoff’s The Russian Easter Overture, Op. 36 & selections from Rodger’s The Sound of Music).

 

Miscellaneous ___________

Fridays (beginning May 2, continuing 1st & 3rd Fri/month until Oct 2; no Walk on July 4): First Black Rock Art Walk of 2008, Fairfield Ave (between Brewster St & Gilman St), Bridgeport, 6-9 pm, free twice-monthly presentation by area artists & craftspeople along sidewalks of Fairfield Ave (at Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, if rain), opening night will incl judging for Best in Show, also first place & runner-up categories to be awarded all season; 203-366-3667.

Saturdays (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.

May 3: Youth Education Day, Sandy Hook Center, Washington Ave (Rte 34, at Burton property), Sandy Hook, 8:30 am-1:30 pm rain or shine, free but reservations due ASAP 25, ages 8-18 invited to learn casting w/ fly rod, fly tying, discover river’s ecosystem & entomology, stocking trout, picnic lunch (also free), raffles & prizes & more, parents invited to join their kids to continue fishing after 1:30; 994-0627.

May 3: Church Women United May Friendship Day celebration, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room (use lower/rear library entrances), 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 9 am, free, all invited to join local CWU-Newtown members and guest speaker Dr Kathleen Chesto for service to celebrate theme of “God’s Wisdom Inspires Hospitality… The Heart of Hospitality” through prayers, presentation, discussion & hymns; 426-5192.

May 3: Spring Plant Sale, Newtown Middle School front lawn, 11 Queen St, Newtown, 9 am-1 pm, hanging baskets, flats of annuals, assorted perennials, presented by Newtown Junior Women’s Club, proceeds will benefit charities in & around Newtown; 304-1204.

May 3: Marketplace Fair, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 10 am-3 pm, free adm, indoor event will offer embracelets by Patty Sullivan, artwork by David Merrill, home party demonstrators, handcrafted home décor & gift items from SERRV International (fair trade items), also raffle of donated items from demonstrators; 740-2733, 426-3496.

May 3: “Art in Bloom,” The Budd House, 50 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown (opposite town hall), 4-6 pm, tickets $25, spring celebration & fundraiser presented by The Garden Club of Newtown will offer wine, hors d’oeuvres & works by Newtown artists complemented by floral arrangements by garden club members, proceeds to benefit Newtown Scholarship Assn; 270-0665.

May 3: 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 separate Concerts listing); 426-9998.

May 3: Rummage & Tag Sale, Oxford Congregational Church, 3 Academy Rd, Oxford (opposite The Oxford House), 10 am-3 pm, something for everyone; 860-485-2221.

May 3: Spring Auction, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 6:30-8:30 pm, free adm, silent & live auctions, door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, wine & cheese, dessert & coffee; 742-1494.

May 8: “Working in Nature’s Garden,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, free presentation by professional landscape architect, educator and author Larry Weaner (What Comes After Presentation) will cover management of preserved private & public lands, hosted by Newtown Forest Association; 270-3650.

May 10: 11th Annual Town and Country Garden Club Plant Sale, The Inn at Newtown, 19 Main St, Newtown, 10 am-2 pm, perennials, bushes, vines, small trees & more will be offered for purchase by local garden club; 426-5359.

May 10: Alliance Française of NW CT Café-Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Rd, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free program will feature conversation in French on current events, all levels of French speakers welcome to participate (or listen), call if bad weather; 262-0626.

May 10: Benefit Wine Tasting, Monroe Dance Academy, 838 Main St, Monroe, 6:30-8:30 pm, tickets $25, event will feature wines & hors d’oeuvres, proceeds to benefit Dancers Responding to AIDS; 268-1200.

May 11: “Celebrating the Divine Feminine,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free meditation program led by yoga center teacher JoAnn Livolsi will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & informal tea reception; 263-2254.

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: May 4, Early Bird Walk, 8 am, free one-hour walk w/ bird expert Donna-Rose Smith; May 9, Spring Wildflower Walk, 9:30 am, $5 ($3 Bent Center members; registration requested by May 6), join naturalist Chris Cohen for one-hour guided walk through Audubon’s “garden” of spring ephemerals & wildflowers; May 11, Early Bird Walk, 8 am, free one-hour walk w/ bird expert Donna-Rose Smith.

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

May 6, Non-Fiction Book Group, 1 pm, discussion of Charles Fishman’s The Wal-Mart Effect: How the World’s Most Powerful Company Really Works – and How It Is Transforming the American Economy, newcomers always welcome; May 8, “Working in Nature’s Garden,” 7 pm, free presentation by professional landscape architect, educator & author Larry Weaner (What Comes After Presentation) will cover management of preserved private & public lands, hosted by Newtown Forest Association (info, call 270-3650).

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

May 10, “An Introduction to Flower Essences,” 1-2:30 pm, $15 ($12 IAIS members; CT educators can earn 0.15 CEUs), introductory workshop by herbalist & flower essence practitioner Lupo Connell will incl history of flower essences, how they wrok in the body & the use of essence therapy for people, pets & plants.

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: May 3, Central Park, New York City, all day hike, dinner out, train fare (leader Nancy Ziegler, 203-732-2618); May 10, Bee Brook, Washington (leader Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025).

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.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: May 3, Andrew Kennedy headlining, Jackson & Tim Gage opening; May 10, RC Smith headlining, Brian Kiley & James Oaks opening.

Theatre ______________

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

The Odd Couple, through 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).

Pomperaug Theatre Company, at Pomperaug High School, 12 Judd Rd, Southbury. Call 262-3247, 262-3200.

Pride and Prejudice, May 2-4, curtain Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm, tickets $10 adults, $5 students & seniors.

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

Moonlight and Magnolias, through May 10, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 4 only) 2 pm, tickets $20; **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.