Antiques Shows______

May 10: 9th Annual Antiques & Collectibles Show, On the Green, Rte 1, Madison, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, donation $4 (early buying 8 am, $10), 70 exhibitors; 203-245-1529.

May 17: Trade Secrets at Wake Robin Inn: A Rare Plant & Garden Antique Event, Sharon Rd/Rte 41, Lakeville, early buying begins 8:30 am ($100, which incl 1 lecture), regular buying opens at 10, adm $35, box lunches $15 (light refreshments also available), lectures $10 each (“Designing Gardens” by Bunny Williams at 11, “Bringing The Garden Inside” by Carolyne Roehm at 1), unusual & specimen plants & garden antiques, also horticulture books old & new, benefit for Women’s Support Services of Northwestern CT, early reservations suggested; 860-364-1080.

May 17-18: Litchfield County Antiques Show, Goshen Fairgrounds, Rte 63, Goshen, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-5 pm, adm $8 good for both days (call for gala party details, May 16, 6:30-9), 39 exhibitors from 10 states, “Folk Art Experience Around The World” lecture (Sat 11 am, free), “Dealers’ Favorites” exhibit of pcs from dealers’ personal collection, show benefits Greenwoods Counseling Services Inc; 860-567-0300.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Thurs & Sat-Sun 1-5 pm, Fri 12-8 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through May 14, “Play,” paintings, sculpture, photography, videos, drawings & mixed media installations by junior & senior high school students curated by fellow high school students, all participants in museum’s Art Lab program.

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.

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).

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

Through June 1, “Intimate Italy,” paintings by Jo Ann Simon inspired by the artist’s recent first trip to Italy coupled w/ additional works by BAJ members.

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. *note new gallery location & hours.  Call 860-354-3436.

Through May 18, “Grand Re-Opening Celebration!” first group exhibition at new location celebrates gallery’s growth & success w/ 50 works of art incl pcs by Deborah Chabrain, Mel Crawford, Tom Key, Edward Martinez, Alain Picard, Bill Rice, John Swatsley, also new artists to gallery incl Micharl Garland, Tom Key, Frank Metz, Lorraine Ryan, et al.

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.

*(new show) May 18-June 21, “Travels from Maine to Portugal,” new collection of works by Dick McEvoy; May 18, opening reception, 3-6 pm.

Permanent display of oils & pastels by Dick McEvoy.

Ruth A. Haas Library, 181 Main St (WCSU main campus), Danbury. Hours: Mon-Thurs 8 am-11 pm, Fri 8 am-4 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 1-9 pm. Call 837-9100.

Through May 25, “The Fantastic Voyage,” works by science fiction artist Vincent Di Fate, fantasy artist Tom Kidd & fantasy & science fiction artist Michael Whelan.

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

Through May 18, “Memory & Place: Voices of Waterbury,” images from archives of Mattatuck Historical Society selected by leaders of Waterbury community, accompanied by commentary by those who selected the images, incl 1915 photo of Exchange Place, Waterbury Green day before Great Flood of ’55, & North Square circa 1968.

New permanent exhibition “Fortune’s Story/Larry’s Legacy,” new research findings offer details about skeleton of

Thirteen Gallery, 13 Library Place, Danbury. Hours: Tues-Fr 7-10 pm, Sat-Sun 12-4 pm, & by appt. Call 790-6754, 845-278-0968.

Through May 17, “10 At 13: Works On Paper,” exploration of drawing practices by contemporary artists incl draftsman Chris Durante, collage artists John Roleke & Bob Ajar, paper panel & scroll artist Eva Lee, sculptor Margaret Roleke, & painters Mary Dwyer, Melinda Hackett, Elizabeth Hazen, Kathryn Lynch & Laura Watt.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Hours: Wed-Sun 8:30 am-5 pm. Call 203-834-1896.

Through May 18, “Invasive Botanicals: Beauty and Beast,” works by members of The Guild of natural Science Illustrators highlights the threat to native plant & animal life posed by invasive species.

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

Through June 30, prints & drawings by Marc Chabot; May 9, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-2800.

May 3, exhibition tour, noon (also introductory tour of museum available, 11 am); May 10, exhibition tour, noon (also introductory tour of museum available, 11 am); May 17, exhibition tour, noon.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Masterpiece Tours of Permanent Collection every Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through May 18, “Edgar Degas: Defining the Modernist Edge,” paintings, etchings, drawings & bronze & wax sculptures by Degas that show how the artist defined the edge of modernism in visual culture through cropping, recycling of anatomical & compositional forms, & reapplication of traditional drawing & sculpting techniques in ways that challenged traditional artistic practice.

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.

Housatonic Art League, PO Box 472, New Milford, CT 06776.

June 14-15: Openings for fine artists in 8th Annual New Milford Art Festival, send SASE for application, show chaired by New Milford Outdoor Art Festival Committee, event will also offer prizes, music & food.

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.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

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: Candlewood Children’s Choir Mother’s Day Concert, Sherman Congregational Church, 6 Church Rd, Sherman, 7:30 pm, traditional Mother’s Day concert by young choir will incl works of Bach, Handel & Faure, also Beatles songs, folk songs & a Japanese sea song, string players from choir will accompany on many songs, adult accompanist is Linda Risberg, cake & punch reception follows performance; 860-355-2701.

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.

May 15: Soprano Holly Bewlay & cellist Kenneth Kuo at Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, 8 pm, adm $6, classical music concert for Mother’s Day; 203-367-7917.

May 15: Monthly Acoustic Jam, Newtown Congregational Church House, 41-A Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-9 pm,, members of The Reel Thing welcome musicians who would like to join them for jams on primarily Celtic and traditional dance music.

May 18: Family Barn Dance, Dodgingtown Firehouse, Rte 302 at Jacklin Road, Dodgingtown, 3-5 pm, adm $6 adults, $3 ages 11 & under, live calling and music by Patricia Campbell and The Reel Thing, all dances taught and called, all ages welcome; 426-5191, 792-7865.

May 18: CT Master Chorale & Orchestra Spring Concert, St Rose of Lima, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $15/advance, $18/door, performance of Handel’s Judas Maccabæus with guest soloists, also Joseph Jacovino on organ; 743-0473.

May 18: Manhattan String Quartet at St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington Green, 4 pm, tickets $15, final concert of church’s 2002-03 series will feature quartet performing works of Haydn, Bartok & Beethoven; 860-868-2527.

Hartford Symphony Orchestra, The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford. Call 860-246-6807.

May 10, “Bravo Big Bands!” 8 pm, tickets $10-$55, guest conductor Gerald Steichen will lead HSO through “a toe-tapping evening of pure swing nostalgia” incl works of Glenn Miller, Count Basie, Benny Goodman & Artie Shaw, guest vocalists Lynn Roberts & Michael Maguire; May 15, “Haydn: Spreading His Wings,” 6:30 pm, HSO music director will conduct & host all-Haydn program to incl Symphony #86 & D Major Piano Concerto w/ guest pianist Vassilis Varvaresos.

Hersher Family Foundation Chamber Music Series, at Jewish Center for Community Services, 4200 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-327-6567 x129.

Performances 8 pm (pre-concert talks 7:15), tickets $25, series tickets available: May 10, Brentano Quartet featuring pianist Yael Weiss, works of Shostakovich, Haydn, Bach & Weber.

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

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 10, Frank & Hank, drummer Frank Milligan & his son Hank on grand piano w/ evening of “upbeat yet intimate” familiar jazz tunes, cabaret setting; May 17, Black Ledge, woodwind quintet will be performing classical to contemporary program.

Newtown Choral Society, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St (at the flag-pole), Newtown. Call 426-1849.

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.

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010, 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396).

May 9, Orchestra New England concert, 8 pm, tickets $25 (discounts for seniors & students), all-Copland concert will incl excerpts from Appalachian Spring & The Tender Land w/ guest vocalists from Yale University Opera.

Films _________________

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

May 9-15: A Mighty Wind (PG-13), daily 7:10 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1, 3 & 5:05 pm; Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13), daily 7:20 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4:20 pm; City of God (Cidade de Deus) (R), daily 9:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 3:55 pm; Dancer Upstairs (R), daily 6:45 & 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4:05 pm, also Sat 11 am (Freudian Flicks program); Nowhere In Africa (NR), daily 6:55 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 3:55 pm.

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

May 9-14: Frida (R), daily 7 & 9:10 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 3:45 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

May 10: Candlewood Children’s Choir Mother’s Day Concert, Sherman Congregational Church, 6 Church Rd, Sherman, 7:30 pm, traditional Mother’s Day concert by young choir will incl works of Bach, Handel & Faure, also Beatles songs, folk songs & a Japanese sea song, string players from choir will accompany on many songs, adult accompanist is Linda Risberg, cake & punch reception follows performance; 860-355-2701.

May 13: 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 17: New Pond Farm’s Annual Founder’s Day Fair, New Pond Farm, 101 Marchant Rd, West Redding, 11 am-4 pm (rain date May 18, 1-4 pm), free adm, Maypole dancing, sheep sheering & spinning demos, hayrides pulled by team of Belgian draft horses, hands-on crafts projects (sm materials fees), picnics welcome (organizers requesting dogs be left home); 203-938-2117.

May 18: Family Barn Dance, Dodgingtown Firehouse, Rte 302 at Jacklin Road, Dodgingtown, 3-5 pm, adm $6 adults, $3 ages 11 & under, live calling and music by Patricia Campbell and The Reel Thing, all dances taught and called, all ages welcome; 426-5191, 792-7865

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

Free public programs: May 9, Little Nut Brown Hare, 11 am, meet Nut Brown Hare when he visits for stories; May 15, Friendship Storytime, 11 am, memorable stories about finding a best friend incl Hi Harry! By Martin Waddell.

Beardsley Zoological Gardens, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

Zoo adm is $7 adults, $5 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, programs included w/ adm: May 10, International Migratory Bird Day, 12-3 pm, learn about the amazing creatures that cross 2 continents annually through talks, presentations, crafts & demos on how to make your backyard a haven for migrators; May 18-24, “Bear Awareness Week,” daily 9 am-4 pm, Defenders of Wildlife sponsors week of talks & crafts about bears incl zoo’s 2 spectacled bears.

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

Free programs (unless specified): May 21, Young Adult Book Discussion, 4 pm, Liz Arneth & Margaret Brown will lead discussin of Rodman Philbrick’s Freak The Mighty.

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

Hansel & Gretel, through May 25, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $11.50.

Miscellaneous ___________

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: Mother’s Day Flower Sale, Sandy Hook Firehouse, Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 10 am-4 pm, annual event by Ladies Auxiliary of Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Company.

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: Holistic Health Fair, WCSU Warner Hall, Fifth Ave (on midtown campus), Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, adm $5, free for students & seniors, 50+ exhibitors & demonstrators will showcase “holistic health modalities available in CT” incl acupuncture, meditation, massage, yoga, nutrition, energy therapy, feng shui, more; 740-0007.

May 10: Butcher’s Bonanza BBQ, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, begins 5 pm, 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.

May 10-11: 3rd Annual Native Plant Sale, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 9 am-3 pm rain or shine, ferns, wildflowers, shrubs & other plants featured to increase natural diversity of backyards, presentations (on Sat) by horticulture specialists, table w/ low-priced selections & free activities for young conservationists, proceeds to benefit center & its programs; 734-2513.

May 10-11: Outdoor Arts & Crafts Fair, Quassy Amusement Park, Rte 64, Middlebury, Sat-Sun 10 am-6 pm rain or shine, arts & crafts fair w/ proceeds to benefit CT Public Broadcasting; 203-758-2913.

May 11: 5th Annual Mother’s Day Tea, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 1-3 pm, $10 (pre-registration required), program on “Feng Shui for The Home and Garden” by designer Peggy Theriault, tour of Osborne Homestead Museum, light refreshments will emphasize use of tea in cooking & varieties of teas available; 734-2513.

May 11: “Our Ideal Mother Embodied In A Spiritual Teacher: Wisdom, Unconditional Love, Discipline and Compassion,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by Pam DeLeone will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

May 13: “Fire 1902,” program at Candlewood Valley Country Club, 401 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Danbury, 1 pm, slide presentation by Joe Cats, Jr (member, New Milford Hist Society) on how New Milford dealt w/ major fire at beginning of 20th Century & how the town has changed since the fire, sponsored by Roger Sherman chapter DAR, luncheon available (call for details); 860-354-5521.

May 14: Nutmeg Quilters Guild Inc meeting, Ridgefield Playhouse (old Ridgefield High School building), 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, doors open 6:30, meeting begins 7 pm, guest speaker is Cynthia England, also raffle of quilt-related items, vendor area, member Show & Tell; 203-431-6072.

May 14: “Evening with The Masters: Nancy White Cassidy,” New Milford Public Library community room, 24 Main St, New Milford, 7-9 pm, free program & demo on pastel use by Ms Cassidy, co-sponsored by Housatonic Art League & New Milford Commission on the Arts; 860-355-0349.

May 15: “Generations of Giving,” Church of the Nativity Parish Hall, 48 East St, Bethlehem, noon, bring light lunch (dessert & beverages provided), program by art historian Robert Austin will explore the lives & work of notable members of Washington Art Alliance, reservations requested, part of “History Bites: Putting A Face on History” series; 203-266-7596.

May 15-17: “Clara Schumann: A Passionate Spirit,” Naugatuck Valley College Playbox Theatre, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 8:30 pm, tickets $8 adults, $5 students, chamber-theater pc combines drama & music in depicting the life of 19th C piano virtuoso, composer & teacher Clara Wieck Schumann, written & performed by local artists Gretchen Trapp & Nancy McMillan, recommended for ages 14 & up; 203-575-8193.

May 16: Art Auction, at Ability Beyond Disability (formerly DATAHR), 135 Old State Rd, Brookfield, preview 6:30 pm, auction begins 7:30, adm $10/person, $15/couple, auction presented by Ross Galleries to benefit “prevention of child abuse & other community needs”; 775-7060.

May 17: Barn Crafts on Main Street, 51 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-3 pm, local artists and gardeners will be offering antique pins, Americana, wooden bowls and boxes, decoratives, fresh baked goods, more.

May 17: 2nd Annual Armed Forces Day Tribute, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 6:30-10:30 pm, adm $5/adv, $7/door, performances (and dancing encouraged) by The Church Hill Boys, The Shore Grass Band and The Heartstone Gospel Singers, refreshments, door prizes, soft-soled shoes required for dancers; 267-5445.

May 17: Bellamy-Ferriday Plant Sale, Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem, 10 am-3 pm, sale of trees, shrubs & perennials, many propagated from historic plants of Ferriday garden, also Re-Pot-A-Thon (1-3 only) w/ staff offering potting & pruning tips, visitors can bring plants to be repotted; 203-266-7596.

May 17: Beginner & Intermediate Hike & Tree ID program, Tarrywile Park, Southern Blvd, Danbury, 10 am-2 pm, free (pre-registration requested), program led by staff of Danbury Eastern Mtn Sports (EMS) store, all welcome; 794-1043.

May 17: Craft Fair, Southbury Training School, Rte 172, Southbury, 10 am-4 pm.

May 17: WUMC Italian Bistro, Woodbury United Methodist Church, 3 Church St, Woodbury, 5-7:15 pm (special pre-concert seating at 7:15, reservations required, combo dinner-concert tickets $25), adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, al-you-can-eat monthly event features full spaghetti dinner, soft drinks & desserts; 203-263-4775.

May 18: Family Barn Dance, Dodgingtown Firehouse, Rte 302 at Jacklin Road, Dodgingtown, 3-5 pm, adm $6 adults, $3 ages 11 & under, live calling and music by Patricia Campbell and The Reel Thing, all dances taught and called, all ages welcome; 426-5191, 792-7865.

May 18:  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 18: DEE Coin & Collectibles Coin & Sport Card Show, Danbury Sheraton Hotel, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, 50 tables w/ dealers from Northeast, information & limited appraisals also available; 746-7531.

May 18: Difficult Hike at Tarrywile Park, Southern Blvd, Danbury, starts 10:45 am, steady pace will go from red barn to beacon & back (about 4-4½ hours), recommended for ages 12 & up, limited to 15 hikers (pre-registration required), bring water & light lunch; 744-3130.

May 18: Walking tour of Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem, 3 pm, $2, walking tour of grounds of historic home & gardens incl variety of shrubs in bloom & property’s plant collection incl 15 lilac varieties; 203-266-7596.

May 18: “The Principals of Collecting American Furniture & Folk,” Wayne Pratt Antiques, 346 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 5:30 pm, tickets $20/advance, $22/door, lecture by dealer & antiques expert Wayne Pratt will incl hands-on pcs & Mr Pratt’s theories on collecting American furnishings, first in new Glebe House series “Insights Into Antique Furnishings – Evening with The Experts”; 203-263-2855.

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 11, Bird Walk, 7 am, members of Western CT Bird Club will lead walk during most exciting month of year for bird watchers; May 11, International Migratory Bird Day Count, begins 7:30  am, volunteers needed for annual count of birds in sanctuary, part of worldwide annual effort to track species & numbers of birds coming through area at this time; May 13, Nature Walk for Adults, 9 am, $3 suggested donation, leisurely hike on one of sanctuary’s trails will seek birds in their brightest plumage & listen for males singing to attract mates & defending territories, designed for moderately active, on mostly level ground w/ occasional slope; May 18, Bird Walk, 7 am, see May 11 details.

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

May 15, book signing & discussion w/ Peter Lynch, 7:30 pm, local railroading expert will be discussing his new book, The New Haven Railroad; May 18, book signing & discussion w/ Tony Anthony, 3:30 pm, Westport author Anthony will sign & discuss his Beneath Buddha’s Eyes.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave **temporarily at 137 Greenwood Ave (in building w/ Hauser Chocolate), Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Free public programs: May 14, discussion of Jane I. Smith’s Islam in America, 7 pm, all welcome for discussion of topical non-fiction work to be led by Steven Blackburn (adjunct professor of Arabic, Hartford Seminary).

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 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); May 14, Genealogy Club meeting, 7 pm, newcomers welcome; May 15, Flagpole Photographers meeting, 7:30 pm, shutterbugs of all levels always welcome; May 15, Evening Book Discussion Group meeting, 7:30 pm, discussion of Best of Times: America in The Age of Clinton, all welcome; May 20, Mystery Group meeting, 7 pm, discussion of Barry Maitland’s Chalon Heads, all welcome.

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

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.

Highstead Arboretum, 127 Lonetown Rd, Redding. Call 938-8809.

Programs 10 am, $5 each, reservations suggested: May 17, Azalea Walk, guided tour of Arboretum will focus on azalea collection, the color & fragrance of the woodland planting, also discussion of deer fencing & cultural requirements.

Garden Conservancy Sunday Walks, guided walks at 10 am, noon & 2 pm: May 18, tour of Arboretum will focus on North American native azaleas (different subjects in June & Aug).

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 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); May 24, hike & leader TBA (call for details).

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.

Through May 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 14, Sou MacMillan, latest chapbook is All The Missing Things That I Love; May 21, workshop leader Gayle Danley.

Theatre ______________

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

Swing! through May 18, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $34-$42, discounts for seniors (5:30 shows), students & groups, rush tickets 30 min before shows.

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

Diosa, through May 11, remaining performances Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2:30 pm, Sun 2:30 pm, tickets $22-$60.

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

Mainstage: The Triumph of Love, through June 1, curtain Sun & Tues 7 pm, Wed-Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, mat Wed (May 21 & 28) 2 pm, tickets $15-$47.50, student & senior discounts available; May 13, 20 & 27, Talkback Tuesday, post-performance discussion w/ actors, director or designers focusing on play’s topics; May 18, Sunday Symposium, post-matinee discussion of play’s issues w/ panel of scholars & artists.

On Stage II: Two Days: Last Tuesday and July 7, 1994 (two Donald Margulies one-acts), through May 11, remaining performances Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $15-$47.50.

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

Ain’t Misbehavin’, through May 18, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$35.

Square One Theatre Company, Stratford Theatre, 2422 Main St, Stratford. Call 203-375-8778.

Wonderful World, May 16-31, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat (May 31 only) 4 pm, Sun (May 18 & 25) 2 pm, tickets $16 adults, $15 seniors & students.

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

Syncopation, through May 11, remaining performances Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $15-$28, discounts for 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, through May 24, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 18 only) 2 pm, evening performances $12, mat tickets $10, season tickets available.

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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.

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, Arts Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color prints; please call for details concerning photo files to be emailed.