Art Exhibits____ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield; 203-438-4519.

Through May 24: “Frank Poor: Enon Cemetery Main Street Sculpture Project,” outdoor installation taking form of 19th Century cemetery from artist’s hometown in Woodstock, Ga.

Through May 24: “Kwang Young-Chun: The Soul – Journey to America,” largest freestanding paper sculpture to date (14+ ft & approx 650 lbs) by Korean artist who uses recycled pages of Korean books & medicine wrappers on mulberry paper.

Through May 31: “Dave Cole: Flags of the World,” American flag cut & resewn from official UN “Flags of the World” set.

Through May 31: “David Taylor: Frontier/Frontera,” photos & video works offering a real-time glimpse into the dynamics of the US-Mexico border.

Through June 7: “Alejandro Diaz: Blame it on Mexico,” lg & sm scale language related works created 2003-09.

Through June 7: “Full Circle: Ten Years of Radius,” recent works incl paintings, works on paper, sculpture, video & collage produced by alumni of Radius exhibitions of last decade.

Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St South/Rte 61, Bethlehem. Call 266-7596.

Through May 31: botanical & nature themed pencil drawings & watercolor paintings by Betsy Rogers-Knox & her students of all ages.

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through May 31: “Past Due,” paintings by Sandy Hook resident James Jeffrey plus paintings & mixed media works by friend & co-worker John Slaney of Oakville.

Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rtes 133 & 25), Brookfield Center; 740-8140.

*(new show) May 16-Aug 15: “Candlewood Lake Celebrates 80 Years,” rare & unusual photos, maps, posters & magazines highlighting the creation & impact of Connecticut’s largest manmade lake; May 16, opening reception, 12-4 pm.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton; 261-0134.

*(new show) Through June 30: “Soundscapes,” large (avg 30 x 30) acrylic on paper paintings by Jim Aldworth; May 23, artist’s reception (public invited),

12-2:30 pm.

Garden of Ideas Gallery, 647 North Salem Rd, Ridgefield; 203-431-9914.

Through May 31: recent watercolors by Melissa Bisbee Orme.

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

*(new show) Through July 7: “Antarctica,” photographs by New Milford & NYC resident Hank Meirowitz, many featuring penguins as his main character; May 17, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Gunn Memorial Library & Museum, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green; 860-868-7756.

Through May 1: “Washington’s Emergency Services: A History of the Fire Department & Ambulance Association,” vintage photos & artifacts from FD & ambulance assn convey stories of brotherhood, tragedy & triumph.

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

Through June 30: “Made of Thunder, Made of Glass: American Indian Beadwork of the Northeast,” 100+ intricately Native American beaded bags, purses & hats from 1800-1900, during an era when Native Americans responded to growth of tourism & desire of Euro-Americans for stylish native American crafts, from collection of Gerry Biron & Jo Anne Russo, also portraits by Mr Biron of Native People adorned w/ images of the beadwork.

Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent; 860-927-3989.

Through May 25: “Annual KAA Spring Juried Show,” 100+ works in oil, watercolor, pastels, graphics & sculpture by prize-winning local & regional artists.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park, 1 Plank Rd, Watebury. Call 203-757-1316 x15.

Through June 2: Auditions by appointment only for 2nd Annual Summer Community Collaborative (w/ Palace Theater) for production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, auditions Mon, May 11; Sun, May 17; Mon-Tues, June 1-2, all 6-9 pm, director & choreographer seek actors, dancers & singers ages 13 & up, visit SevenAngelsTheatre.org for full cast breakdown, contact Michelle Gotay at above phone # for appointment, performances will be at Palace Theatre, July 31, Aug 1-2.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

May 16: CT Master Chorale 10th Anniversary Concert, St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 8 pm, $20 adv, $25 at door, performance of 55-voice vocal group to celebrate first decade of performances with program of classical, ethnic, samba & more, w/ accompanist Joseph Jacovino Jr & CT Master Chorale Orchestra; 743-0473.

May 17: “A Canadian Spring” by Newtown Choral Society, Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt Pleasant Rd (at Tory Rd), Newtown, 4 pm, $9, $7 students and seniors, program to include classical & contemporary works by Canadian composers; 426-3769.

May 17: Pianist Matei Varga at Sarah Cooke Hall in Heritage Village, Southbury (call for directions), 3 pm, $15, program to incl works of Bach, Schubert, Grieg, Enesco & Ravel; 264-1102.

May 23: Monthly Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, $15, dance lesson at 8, performance by Steven Dougherty & Eulia Baranovsky (World American Showdance Champions), refreshments incl w/ admission; 203-374-7308.

May 24: Ameranouche at Richter House, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury, 3 pm, free concert (donations accepted for Richter Arts Assn) by nationally touring acoustic gypsy jazz trio that draws from music of guitarist Django Reinhardt & other wide-ranging influences, also art & photography by Sheila Loughheed; 744-1527.

May 24: Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras (GBYO) Spring Concert, Klein Memorial Auditirum, Bridgeport, 3 pm, $15, $10 students & seniors, performances by all 4 ensembles by GBYO (which incl Newtown & Sandy Hook student/young adult musicians); 203-459-4249.

 

For Kids & Families _________

Through May 16: St Mary School 33rd Annual Carnival, 24 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Bethel, Thurs-Fri 6-10 pm, Sat 2-10 pm, rides, Bingo, two circus shows daily, inflatables, games, refreshments; 744-2722.

May 16: Farm Day Celebration at Flanders Nature Center, Flanders at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 1-4 pm, $5, $10/family, $30 groups of 8 or more, farm animals, tractor rides, gardening talks & planting tips, fiber art demos, beekeeping basics, kids crafts & story time, live entertainment, refreshments & more; 263-3711.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through May 16: St Mary School 33rd Annual Carnival, 24 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Bethel, Thurs-Fri 6-10 pm, Sat 2-10 pm, rides, Bingo, two circus shows daily, inflatables, games, refreshments; 744-2722.

May 15-17: Heritage Village Library Book Sale, Heritage Village Meeting House paddock lot, Heritage Rd, Southbury, Fri-Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-3 pm, hardcovers & paperbacks, also puzzles, CDs, tapes, DVDs & more, proceeds to benefit HV Library; 264-5381.

May 16: Community Tag Sale & Flea Market, Southbury Volunteer FD main station, 461 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 7 am-2 pm rain or shine, proceeds to benefit Southbury Volunteer FD & its ladies auxiliary; 262-1059.

May 16: Saturday Morning Bird Walk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 8 am, free walk to observe birds in the wild, sharpen bird ID skills or just for enjoyment of leisurely morning hike, may last up to 2 hours, all levels of birders welcome, meet in parking lot; 734-2513.

May 16: Gaylordsville United Methodist Church Tag Sale, 685 Kent Rd, Gaylordsville, 9 am-4 pm; clothes boutique, grilled food; 860-355-0243,

May 16: New Milford Cycles 5th anniversary celebration, 571 Danbury Rd, New Milford, 9 am-4 pm, free BBQ & beverages, merchandise giveaways, also fundraising for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy; 860-355-3161.

May 16: Farm Day Celebration at Flanders Nature Center, Flanders at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 1-4 pm, $5, $10/family, $30 groups of 8 or more, farm animals, tractor rides, gardening talks & planting tips, fiber art demos, beekeeping basics, kids crafts & story time, live entertainment, refreshments & more; 263-3711.

May 16: Pork Roast Dinner at Odd Fellows Hall, 25 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, 4:30-7 pm, $10, $8 seniors, $5 ages 5-12, free age 4 & under, take out available; 860-355-0243.

May 16: Treasures & Talent Auction, First Congregational Church, 40 DeForest St, Watertown, 5:30-9:30 pm, $10, live & silent auctions, also hot & cold hors d’oeuvres & dessert, proceeds to benefit work & missions of church; 860-274-5569.

May 17: Open House & Pottery Demo, Newtown Historical Society, 44 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 12-4 pm, free, tours by docents, potter’s wheel will be set up & in use by Reggie DeLarm (East Knoll Pottery), creating hand-thrown yellowware pottery w/ historically correct clays, glazes, designs & applications; 426-5937.

May 17: Antiques Appraisals Day, The Woods at Newtown, 176 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 12-4 pm, $5/item, limit three items, verbal appraisals by Jay St Mark; 426-0847.

May 17: Frisbee Golf & Walking Tour of Orchard Hill Nature Center, Huntingtown Rd, Newtown, 2-4 pm, guided & self-guided tours w/ members of Town & Country Garden Club, Frisbee golf hosted by Lions Club, refreshments and more; 426-5426.

May 17: “Home Is Where the Art Is,” home of Benjamin Ortiz & Victor Torchia Jr, Ridgefield, 3-7 pm, $75, benefit for Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center in Woodbury will offer private tours of home, garden & gallery that has been a work in progress for the 2 owner-collectors for 30+ years, proceeds to benefit museum, reservations required; 203-753-0381 x10.

May 21: Container Gardening Workshop at The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, 49 Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 5:30 pm, $22 ($20 museum members), hands-on program by Jane Brook Barba, bring garden globes, also wine & cheese w/ program; 263-2855.

May 23: Cake Donuts & Refreshments: Donuts with The Drive-Thru, St John’s Episcopal Church, 5 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 9 am-noon, homemade fried cake donuts, also coffee and orange juice, plus goodies from American Artisan Food & Baking.

May 23: Ninth Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race, Sandy Hook Center Park, Glen Rd, Sandy Hook, 10 am-2 pm, kid’s events, live music, dance & demos by local groups, food & refreshments, vendors & community groups, all leading to race of toy ducks down Pootatuck River, presented by Newtown Lions Club; 426-6443.

May 24: Annual Strawberry Festival, Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield Center, 1:30-3:30 pm (following Memorial Day Parade), free adm, strawberry shortcake & other treats available for purchase, live jazz music; 740-8140.

May 30: Open House, Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company, 34 Hawleyville Rd/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-2 pm, see firehouse, trucks & equipment, meet Stamp the Dalmatian, fire safety tips, handouts & demos, safety game for kids, also bike safety check (10-11:30 am); 270-4389.

Active Singles. Call 203-271-2125, 860-489-9611.

Singles hikes, 9 am, 4 skill levels available, no dogs or kids – events are for adults, optional lunch follows: May 17, hikes at Black Rock State Park, Watertown.

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

Misc programs: May 21, Job Search Workshop: The Interview, 3-4:30 pm, registration required, Cheryl Schwartz, MS, MSW, LCSW, CRC, will cover types, managing interviews, possible questions & dos & don’ts; May 21, The Evening Book Group, 7:30 pm, Innocent Blood by PD James, newcomers welcome.

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

(FILM) May 15-20: Wendy and Lucy (R), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-W#ed 7 pm, mat Fri 4:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Flagpole Camera Club, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 364-1441.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: May 21, “An African Safari” program by photographer Tom Cuchara.

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

Sundays, through May 31, Spring Bird Walks, 7 am, free early morning hikes through natural habitats, binoculars encouraged, gentle terrain, suitable for all ages.

Sundays, through May 31, Botany Trail Walks, 2 pm, guided strolls along award-winning trail to be led by experienced naturalist watching for native perennials, trees, shrubs & ferns, gentle terrain, suitable for all ages.

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, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: May 16, Putnam Park, Bethel, easy to medium hike, short (Ray Falk, 520-3793); May 23, The Trapps, Minnewaska/Mohonk Preserve in NY, medium hike, all day event, dinner out (Ildiko Gramling, 263-0086); May 30, Bear Mountain Loop, Salisbury, 6.5-mile hike, difficult, all day (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, New-town. 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.

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

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6:30-7:30 pm (weigh-ins 5:45-6:15, meetings 6:30-7:30), meetings $2/week, membership $24/year.

Theatre ______________

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

Harvey, through May 16, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 10 only) 2 pm, tickets $20.

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

The Glass Menagerie, through June 7, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun, Tues-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $32-$62.

TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St, Hartford. Call 860-527-7838.

The Year of Magical Thinking, through May 24, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30, tickets $37-$57.

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

The Fourth Wall, through May 23, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 17) 2 pm, tickets $20.

Town Players of Newtown, at The Little Theatre, Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 270-9144.

Caught in the Net, through May 17, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 10 & 17) 1 pm, tickets $18 eves, $15 mats.

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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.