Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (through mid-Dec): 38th Season Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, 787 Main St South (Rte 6, near Rte 64), Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec 11): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1; 508-896-1975.

May 30: 27th Annual Tiffany Windows Indoor-Outdoor Antiques Show, at First Church Congregational, 148 Beach Rd, Fairfield, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $6; 203-222-2259.

June 4: 43rd Annual Ridgefield Outdoor Antiques Market, The Lounsbury House/Ridgefield Community Center, 316 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 8 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $7 adults (no early buyers), free ages 12 & under, 75+ dealers participating, indoor restrooms, refreshments, proceeds will benefit The Lounsbury House; 203-438-6962.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs & Sun 1-4 pm, Fri-Sat 1-8 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

*(new show) May 21-June 19: “Richard Budman 2005,” surrealistic images painted on canvas, glass & metal by the Sandy Hook-based artist; May 21, opening reception, 6-9 pm (featuring live music by The Ken Trapp Duo).

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 12-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In first & second floor display cases — Through May 21, “A Tercentennial Celebration of Childhood,” child-related objects from 18th-20th centuries loaned from several private collectors present toys, banks, alphabet plates, dolls, schoolbooks & more.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through May 27: photographs by Carol Gibson of Bethel & Art Anderson of Newtown; May 15, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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 22: “How They Felt: Contemporary Feltmaking,” work by some of the country’s leading feltmaking artists & emerging feltmakers incl Beth Beede, Sharon Costello, Carol Cypher, Alexa Ginsberg, Chad Alice Hagen, Linda Brooks Hirschman, Thomas Horst, Jorie Johnson, Camille Ludlow, Gail Crosman Moore, Theresa May O’Brien, Karen Page, Cathy Rogers, Roz Spier, Pat Spark, Nicole Chazaud Telaar, Jeannie Thomma, Linda VanAlstyne, Chris White & Lucy Zercher.

Burnham Library, Rte 133, Bridgewater. Hours: Tues 1-5 pm, Wed 9 am-6 pm, Thurs 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm. Call 860-354-6937.

*(new show) June 1-30: “Architectural Portraits and Scenes,” works by Frank Tosto.

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

Call 860-354-3436.

*(new show) May 21-July 2: “Spring Art Show 2005,” new works by many of the gallery’s celebrated artists incl Rick Daskam, Joseph Grieco, Roger Kastel, Christopher Magadini, Alain Picard, Bill Rice, Anda Styler & Danielle Wexler, also works by new member Scott Zuckerman; May 21, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

Handcrafter’s Haven, 40 Main St North/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-263-2111.

Through May 31: vintage items that have been refurbished & embellished w/ handpainted flowers & scenery in “shabby chic” style on tin, woodenware & candles by Lisa DeFeo.

Housatonic Museum of Art/Burt Chernow Galleries at Housatonic Community College, 90 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 8:30 am-5:30 pm (Thurs until 7 pm), Sat 9 am-3 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-332-5000.

Through May 31: “HCC’s Annual Student Exhibition,” works by students currently enrolled in arts program of Housatonic Community College.

Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Thurs-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 860-927-3989.

Through June 5: “2005 KAA Spring Art Show & Sale,” oils, watercolors, pastels, graphics & sculpture by prize-winning local artists & those from adjacent states.

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

Through May 22: “Building Waterbury: The Art of Architecture,” exploration of the growth of Waterbury green, its commercial buildings & surrounding churches, the city’s brass industry & resulting architecture, etc, from city’s first days as Colonial settlement to end of 19th Century; May 20, “Joseph Stein: His Life and Work,” 1 pm, slide lecture by Rachel Carley (curator, architectural historian & preservation consultant) will offer look at the work of one of the architects featured in “Building Waterbury.”

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Sat 10 am-2 pm, Mon & Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

*(new show) May 21-June 29: “Places I Would Like My Wife and Daughter to See,” recent oils & photos by Matt Wood; May 21, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Morrison Gallery, 5 Maple St, Kent. Hours: Wed-Fri 10 am-5:30 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 860-927-4501.

Through May 31: new still life & landscape paintings by Robert Lent; April 30, opening reception (featuring live music by The Joe Beck Duo), 2-5 pm.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery (formerly Grey Horse Gallery), 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Paintings by Rainie Crawford, Frank Federico, Leslie Lillien Levy, Dick McEvoy, Alain J. Picard & Peter Seltzer, sculpture by Sterett-Gittings Kelsey.

Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd, Bethel. Call 796-7373.

In The Vestibule Gallery — Through spring: paintings and photos by A.J. Picard.

In Fellowship Mall — Through spring: creative cross collages by regional artists & church members.

In The Hallway Gallery — Through spring: limited edition prints by church members.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through May 22: “Against The Grain: Three Independents,” work by artists whose work is characterized by an individual approach to both form & content – paintings by Douglas Anderson, Robert Birmelin & Regina Granne.

White Silo Farm & Winery, 32 Rte 37 East, Sherman. Spring Hours: Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-355-0271.

Through May 28: minimalist folk paintings by Robert Ferrucci, large outdoor abstract sculpture by Mimi Nelson & surreal pen & ink drawings by Zach Osborn.

tions,” selection of gifts & purchases of last few years incl works on paper by Chrstopher Cook, Claude de Jongh’s 1632 painting on Old London Bridge, paintings, sculpture & more; June 2, exhibitions tour, 11 am, docent will lead tour of “Recent Gifts” and “Whistler” exhibitions.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through June 5: “Livable Modernism: Interior Decorating and Design During the Great Depression,” carefully edited installation looks at the ways modernism was introduced into the American home, how certain American designers combined streamlined simplicity of modernism w/ middle class desire for comfort & familiarity during economic & social disruption.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Candlewood League of Artists (CLA), Inc., c/o White Silo Winery & Gallery, 32 Rte 37 East, Sherman. Call 746-8391.

May 31: Receiving for artists wishing to enter work into CLA’s Juried Spring Show, 1-6 pm, artists limited to 2 works, judging will be by Joan Rudman, AWS, show will be on view June 3-19, artists can enter to compete for awards & sell their works, contact Betty Ann Medeiros (phone # above or at BamArtwn@aol.com).

CT Poetry Society Al Savard Memorial Poetry Contest, c/o CT Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury CT 06704-0053. Call 860-584-2857.

June 1: Postmark deadline for annual competition, open to CT poets, entry fee is $10 for up to 3 poems (payable to CT Poetry Society), cash awards ($100, $75 & $50) & publication in Long River Run II, poems must be original & unpublished, any form acceptable, no more than 40 lines, incl 2 copies of each poem & incl SASE for return, mark each copy The Al Savard Memorial Poetry Contest, send submissions to address above, contact Lorna Cyr for details.

Congregational Church of New Fairfield, 20 Gillotti Rd, New Fairfield. Call 746-2685.

May 22: Second set of auditions for Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, 2-4 & 7-9 pm, auditions for 7-12 year olds will be during early hours, auditions for ages 13-24 during later hours, children should be accompanied by parent/guardian, all welcome, directors need males ages 13-24, call for rehearsal & performance details.

Flanders Nature Center, Flanders Rd at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3201.

May 21: 3rd Annual Artists’ Day, check in at Sugar House betw 9 am & 2 pm, artists invited to work outdoors during any part of day & take advantage of the inspiring surroundings of the nature center, artists of all levels & in all media welcome, showing of resulting work ($8 hanging fee) will be June 11-12 at Flanders & June 14-29 at Woodbury Library, contact Artists’ Day coordinator Joan Anthony (at phone # above) for details.

Nichols Arts and Crafts Festival, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1734 Huntington Turnpike/Rte 108, Trumbull. Call 203-378-1781.

Aug 13: Deadline for vendors seeking to participate in this year’s event, 12 x 12 spaces are $40 (50 spaces available), fair will be Sept 10 from 10 am-4 pm (set-up to begin at 8), vendors provide their own tables, call Alice Britton for full details, reservations.

Trumbull Youth Association, The Center at Priscilla Place, 23 Priscilla Place, Trumbull. Call 452-5057.

June 3-4: Open auditions for summer production of The Secret Garden, Fri 6:30-8:30 pm, Sat 10:30 am-12:30 pm, open students who will be entering 9th grade to age 20, be prepared w/ song (accompanist provided), be prepared for poss reading and/or dancing, rehearsals will begin June 27 at Trumbull High School, performances will be Aug 5-7.

Watertown Art League, at Post Univ Traurig Library, 800 Country Club Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-574-3954 or 203-879-0636.

June 13: Receiving for WAL’s 19th Annual Spring Art Show, 2-7 pm, non-refundable entry fee is $20, judging will take place immediately, open to all area artists working in any media, send SASE #10 envelope to Mally DeSomma, 37 Rutland St, Waterbury 06708, or contact Ms DeSomma at first phone # above, or WAL president Bonny Current at second phone #; show will run June 17-24, awards ceremony on June 18.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

May 21: 5th Annual Armed Forces Day Tribute, Edmond Town Hall auditorium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-10:30 pm, tickets $8/adv, $10/door, performances by ShoreGrass, Roger Sprung, et al will offer live bluegrass, country, folk, western swing & traditional music for listening & dancing, also plenty of refreshments, presented by Rocking Roosters Square Dance Club; 426-4817.

May 21: Third Annual Hat City Blues Band Benefit Concert, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, starts 8 pm, tickets $8, live music by local rock & blues band, raffles, desserts, proceeds will benefit Newtown Youth Services, open to all ages; 270-4335.

May 21: “Music of Great Russian Composers” by Connecticut Master Chorale, St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $15/advance, $20/door, Borodin’s Polovetzian Dances, also Russian sacred & folk songs; 743-0473.

May 21: Community Coffeehouse, 7 Madison Ave, Danbury, 7:30 to 10:30 pm, freewill donation ($5-$10 suggested), performances by Hamden-based worship musician Dayna Varga & Christian rock band East Gate, refreshments (included w/ adm); 748-4972.

May 21-22: Swan Lake by Main Street Ballet, at Nonnewaug High School, Minortown Rd, Woodbury, Sat 7 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $15 (all seating is general adm), production based on original choreography will feature Main St Ballet soloists & guest dancers formerly w/ Boston Balley; 203-263-5107.

May 22: “Rock 2 Rebuild: A Tsunami Relief Benefit Concert,” at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 1-6 pm, outdoor concert (will move indoors if rain) will feature performances by The Daria Musk Trio, Mystic Bowie & The Pallbearers and Mutti Lewis, also raffles, refreshments, info booths, all proceeds from the all-ages show will benefit UNICEF, sponsored by NHS Student Gov’t; 426-7646.

May 22: Armstrong Chamber Concert at First Congregational Church, 36 Main St, New Milford, 3 pm, call for ticket details, performance by Ms Armstrong (violin), violist Louise Schulman, cellist Wolfram Koessel, flutist Carol Wincenc, oboist Gerard Reuter & pianist Gerald Robbins will incl works of Bach (Quintet in D Major, Opus 11, No 6), Adolphe (The Tiger’s Ear, world premiere) & Brahms (Piano Quartet in A Major, Opus 26); 860-868-0522.

May 26: “Sherry Winston & Her Band: An Evening of Jazz,” Western CT State University’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7:30 pm, tickets $35 reserved, $25 general adm, $15 students & seniors, 9th annual performance by the Grammy nominated jazz flutist & her band will benefit Ability Beyond Disability, Command Performance, Minority Business Assn & 3 other local non-profit agencies; 825-3131.

May 28: Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $15, free dance lesson at 8 pm, American rhythm dance performance at 9:30 (starring Emmanuel Pierre-Antoine & Alexandra Gregoire), general dancing all night to DJ selections, refreshments, singles & couples welcome; 203-374-7308.

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

Subscription $32 (good for all season), $12 single ticket, students age 18 & under free, post-performance receptions w/ performers: May 21, McDermott Trio, program to incl works of Beethoven, Brahms & Ellen Taafe Zwilich (first woman to win Pulitzer Prize in music).

Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-0263.

Performances 8 pm, tickets $18-$50 w/ student & group discounts: May 21, “Beethoven’s Best,” pianist Yael Weiss will join GBS for performance to incl Prometheus Overture, Piano Concerto No 3 & Symphony #7 (GBS String Quartet will offer pre-concert performances at 7 pm).

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

June 3, Leyte Dance Theater, 7 pm, adm $10, performance by a premier Philippine dance company is sponsored by Philippine Cultural Group of Greater Danbury (call 775-9220, 775-0820 for tickets, details).

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

Performances 8 pm (unless noted), tickets $15, season tickets available: May 21, pianist Gayle Martin Henry.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: May 22, John Hammond, tickets $55 (tickets from original date will be honored), Party Boss opening; May 26, Richie Havens, 8 pm, $50 $55, w/ special guest Morely.

Films _________________

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

May 20-26: Crash (R), daily 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 5:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1, 3:10 & 5:20 pm; The Interpreter (PG-13), daily 6:45 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 4:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4:10 pm; Ladies In Lavender (PG), daily 7:20 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 5:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:50, 3 & 5:10 pm; Walk On Water (R), daily 7 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 4:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:20 pm.

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

May 21-25: The Phantom of The Opera (PG-13), Sun 8 pm, Mon-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat 1 pm, Sun 1 & 4:30 pm, Tues-Wed 12:30 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Through May 21: Buy One Get One Free Scholastic Book Fair, Sylvan Learning Center, 20 Federal Rd/Rte 7, Brookfield, Fri & Mon 12-8 pm, Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, book sale & literacy event open to public will offer popular books & educational products for all ages incl new titles, award-winners, classics & interactive products from more than 150 publishers (also open house evening Fri 7-8 pm w/ story readings, refreshments & door prizes); 775-9611.

May 22: Performances by Pure & Simple, Reed Intermediate School, Trades Lane (within Fairfield Hills campus), Newtown, tickets $7, performances 1 & 3 pm, programs by trio of Dr Steven Lee, Barbara Lail & Cliff Hicklen feature music for & about children, family are ideal for pre-Kindergarten through 4th grade age children, proceeds will benefit American Cancer Society & Newtown’s 2nd Annual Relay For Life; 364-1967, 426-3723.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel. Call 794-8756.

May 26, Necklace Making for Teens, 6:30-7:30 pm, students in grades 6-12 invited to design & make necklaces using glass beads & semi-precious stones, reservations required.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: May 25, Nutmeg Book Discussion, 6:30 pm, readers in grades 4-6 invited for one-hour discussion of Goosed by Bill Wallace; June 4, Father’s Day Craft Workshop, 1 pm, $3 materials fee (due at registration), children ages 6 & up invited to create project for Dad during one-hour program w/ Marie Walker.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: June 2, Summer Reading Volunteer training session, 4:30 pm, 30-min training session for students in grades 6 & up who wish to volunteer for summer program, training also available June 6.

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

May 21, The Big Adventures of Stuart Little, performances at 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15, production by Theatre IV features live performers & a variety of puppets.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through May 21: Buy One Get One Free Scholastic Book Fair, Sylvan Learning Center, 20 Federal Rd/Rte 7, Brookfield, Fri & Mon 12-8 pm, Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, book sale & literacy event open to public will offer popular books & educational products for all ages incl new titles, award-winners, classics & interactive products from more than 150 publishers (also open house event Fri 7-8 pm w/ story readings, refreshments & door prizes); 775-9611.

May 20: CT ConTacts Singles Dance, Colonial Tavern, Hawley Rd (off Rte 67), Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests); 203-468-1144.

May 20-22: Annual Heritage Village Library Book Sale, Heritage Village Green, Heritage Rd, Southbury, Fri-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 12-3:30 pm, 6,000-plus books, tapes, records, jigsaw puzzles, children’s books & audio books, all in good condition, donated by Heritage Village residents, proceeds to benefit library; 267-7546.

May 21: Kellogg Center Spring Bird Walk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave (off Rte 34), Derby, 7:30 am, free program led by KEC volunteer Jay Connolly will lead participants in search of spring migrants arriving in area, meet at center’s parking lot (walk also being offered June 4); 734-2513.

May 21: Western CT Bird Club Spring Bird Walk, Promisek at Three Rivers Farm, 694 Skyline Rd, Bridgewater, 7:30 am, public invited to join bird club members for walk scheduled during the height of spring migration, w/ potention for many bird sightings, BYO binoculars & dress for outdoor hiking, bring water, meet at main house at end of Skyline Rd; 860-354-1788.

May 21: 3rd Annual Artists’ Day at Flanders Nature Center, check in at Flanders’ Sugar House, Church Hill Rd at Flanders Rd, Woodbury, 9 am-2 pm (rain date May 22), artists invited to work outdoors during any part of day & take advantage of the inspiring surroundings of the nature center, artists of all levels & in all media welcome, showing of resulting work ($8 hanging fee) will be June 11-12 at Flanders & June 14-29 at Woodbury Library; 203-263-3201.

May 21-22: Spring Weekend at Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, $6 adults, $4 ages 3-12, free ages 2 & under, introduction of Hammer-In event w/ blacksmiths demonstrating skills & techniques on vintage forge, also train rides, exhibits, model trains, artifacts, etc; 778-8337.

May 22: “Yoga: Getting Out of My Way and Allowing My Life to Work,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free presentation by WCC co-founder & executive director Janaki Pierson will cover how yoga should be coupled w/ relaxation & the feeling of just letting life happen as it is meant to, group meditation (free instruction available) & informal tea reception follows; 203-263-2254.

May 23: “Digesting The Facts: Getting To Know Your GI System,” St Rose School, 40 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free presentation by John Whalen, MD, will offer an “inside” look at the human digestive process, also discussion on the prevention & treatment of various digestive disorders; 426-2572.

May 23: BookTalk at Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St (at West St), Danbury, 6:30-8 pm, discussion of Jeffrey Eugenides’s Middlesex will be led by Catherine Riordan, all welcome; 797-4527.

May 24: “The Beatrix Farrand Garden at Promisek, and others,” C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1 pm, free slide lecture by Pamela Edwards, who was instrumental in discovering a long-forgotten Beatrix Farrand garden in Bridgewater, will introduce attendees to many of Miss Farrand’s restored gardens, hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown; 364-1774.

May 26: “History Bites: What’s Hot & What’s Not,” at Saint Paul’s Parish Hall, 294 Main St South/Rte 6 (at School St), Woodbury, noon, suggested donation $2, slide lecture by Marybeth Keene (VP, Wayne Pratt Antiques & frequent appraiser on Antiques Roadshow) will shed light on what makes one antique highly desirable & others less so, one-hour lecture will be followed by light refreshments (BYO lunch); 203-263-2855.

May 26: “Exploring the Natural Wonders of Connecticut,” Gunn Memorial Library, Rte 47 at Wykeham Rd (opposite the green), Washington Green, 7 pm, free slide lecture by Brendan Hanrahan will share history of exciting paleontology, geology & ecology discoveries within our state; 860-868-7586.

May 27: A Taste of Bridgewater, Bridgewater Congregational Church, Rte 133 at Clapboard Rd, Bridgewater, 6-8 pm, sample fine cuisine from some of best chefs in the area, also live music & auction; 860-354-6937.

May 28: Salute the Soldiers Ceremony, Newtown VFW Hall, 18 Tinkerfield Rd, Newtown, 10 am, multi-generational ceremony will pay tribute to all US soldiers who have died defending country, active military members & WWII veterans during 60th anniversary of VE Day (organizing committee still accepting names of soldiers to be read aloud during service), all welcome; 426-2298, 426-8563.

May 28: Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race Festival, Glen Road parking lot, Sandy Hook Center, festival runs 10 am-4 pm, duck race is at 2, tickets for duck race $5 each, also ongoing festival w/ vendors, community organizations, musicians, magicians, children’s games & entertainment, sponsored by Newtown Lions Club; 426-4529.

May 28: 2nd Annual Brookfield International Festival, Brookfield Town Hall, 100 Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 12-5 pm (rain date May 30, same hours), free adm, Brookfield Arts Commission is organizing afternoon of live music & food w/ sounds & flavors from around the world; 740-2801.

May 28: CT ConTacts Singles Dance, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests); 203-468-1144.

May 29: Beatrix Farrand Garden Open, Promisek at Three Rivers Farm, 694 Skyline Rd, Bridgewater, 10 am-4 pm, suggested donation $5, public invited to visit privately-owned historic garden created by Ms Farrand, a founding member of American Society of Landscape Architects, will be open to public last Sun of each month until Sept; 860-354-1788.

May 29: Annual Brookfield Historical Society Strawberry Shortcake Festival, Brookfield Historical Society Museum, Rte 25 at 133, Brookfield Center, 12-4 pm (immediately following town’s Memorial Day Parade), society will be selling strawberry shortcake & soft drinks, also display of antique cars, live jazz band, proceeds will benefit future historical society programs; 740-8140.

May 30: Open Turret Day at Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, adm $4 adults, $2 seniors, children ages 6-18 & active military personnel, public invited to climb into museum’s collection of history vehicles, rubber-soled shoes mandatory for going into vehicles (cancelled if rain), museum & its exhibits will also be open; 790-9277.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Programs $5 unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: May 22, Sunday Morning Bird Walk, 7-10 am, weekly event led by local bird experts (this week, Angela Dimmitt) will go through meadows & forests at the center looking for orchard orioles, scarlet tanagers, warblers, et al; May 23, Invasive Plants Work Day, 1:30-3:30 pm, volunteers needed to help eliminate invasive plants that are damaging center’s ecosystem, hand tools provided, BYO heavy-duty work gloves; May 26, “Birding at The End of The Earth: The Birds of Chile,” slide program by director John Longstreth will feature photos by Mr Longstreth shot during a birding trip in Chile & Patagonia in Jan; May 29, Sunday Morning Bird Walk, 7-10 am, weekly event led by local bird experts (this week, Carolyn Longstreth) will go through meadows & forests at the center looking for orchard orioles, scarlet tanagers, warblers, et al.

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

Garden Conservancy Day, guided walks at 10 am, noon & 2 pm: May 22, tours to focus on center’s azalea collection – 10 am, led by Highstead executive director Margaret Shea (focus on features of the natural communities where azalea is found & role of azalea in the community), noon, led by Highstead horticulturist Kathleen Kitka (how existing site conditions & overall objectives influence the design & maintenance of the azalea collection & its natural surroundings) & 2 pm, led by guest tour guide George Elkins (how azaleas & complementary plantings increase the aesthetic value & diversity of semi-shaded home landscape, also plants that are readily available).

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897 or 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 as follows: May 21, A Fish Elevator Tour and Hike at Mount Tom, Holyoke, Mass. (all-day hike, leader is Ester Nichols, 788-1398 or pilgrim555@sbcglobal.net); May 28, Bent of River Audubon Center, Southbury (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); June 4, Mills Norrie State Park, Staatsburg, N.Y., for all-day hike along the Hudson River (Betty Horton, 860-354-7526).

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.

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

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: May 25, oil cityscape by Frank Federico.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), 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.

Tarrywile Park, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury. Call 744-3130.

Guided hikes, free, cancelled if heavy rain, wear rugged, sturdy shoes, bring water & light snack, pre-registration requested: May 21, guided hike, 8 am, will last approx 2½ hrs; May 21, Wildflower Walk, 8:30 am, members of Swampfield Land Trust will lead participants in discovering the multitude of wildflowers growing in the park; May 29, guided hike, 9 am, will last approx 2½ hrs.

Theatre ______________

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

Hair, through May 22, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $38.50 & $42.50, discounts available for students & seniors (call for details).

Goodspeed Opera House, Rte 82, East Haddam. Call 860-873-8668.

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, through June 26, curtain Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed & Sun 2 pm, Sat 4 pm, also Thurs (June 2, 16 & 23) 2 pm, tickets $25-$60; May 26, Backstage at Goodspeed, call for details; June 9, Backstage at Goodspeed, call for details.

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

Travesties, through June 5, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm (May 22 only), mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $40-$50; May 22, Sunday Symposium, follows evening performance, open to all ticket holders; Talkback program follow each Tues eve performance, open to all ticket holders.

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

Anything Goes, through June 5, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $27.50-$45.

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

Rumors (replaces previously announced Ah, Wilderness!), through May 28, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, also Sat (May 28 only) 4 pm, tickets $16 adults, $15 students & seniors.

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

Fraternity, through May 22 (production dates extended), curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $20-$33.

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

The Elephant Man, through May 21, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat (May 8 only) Sun 2 pm, tickets $17.50.

Playreading Series, readings 2 pm, free: May 22, The Exonerated.

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

70th anniversary season: The Amorous Ambassador, through May 21, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15 evening shows, $12 mat.

WCSU/Warner Theatre, in Warner Hall, White St at Fifth Ave, Danbury. Call 837-8732.

Blue Window, May 21-28, curtain Fri-Sun 7 pm, tickets $15 (also, May 20-21 dinner theater tickets available, $35, evening incl silent auction to benefit theater arts dept, call for details).

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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, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.