Antiques Shows _________________________

May 28: Outdoor Antiques Show, Madison Town Green, 26 Meetinghouse Rd (off Rte 1), Madison, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine (early buying 8 am, $10), adm $4, 70+ dealers; 203-245-7394.

June 11-12: Harwinton Antiques & Design Weekend, Harwinton Fairgrounds, 70 Locust Rd, Harwinton, Sat 8 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-5 pm, $10, 150+ exhibitors; 317-598-0012.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places ____________________________

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

Through May 29: “Honoring Brookfield’s Fallen Military Heroes,” photographs & other information that pay tribute to 42 Brookfield residents who have given their lives during military campaigns, from American Revolution to continuing Operation Iraqi Freedom; May 29, museum will be open following town’s Memorial Day parade, 12-4 pm.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury; 203-797-4505.

Through June 24: “In A Nutshell: The Worlds of Maurice Sendak,” traveling exhibition re-veals push & pull of Old & New Worlds in artist well known for his books Where The Wild Things Are, In The Night Kitchen, etc, incl panel illustrations featuring illustrations of creatures, children & neighborhoods alongside explorations of Jewish culture & history that influenced the artist’s work; June 10, screening of 2009 film adaptation of Where The Wild Things Are, 6:45 pm, free.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury; 778-8337.

Permanent exhibitions on railroad history (museum is along old New Haven RR line & housed in former Danbury station & railyard), also original & restored rolling stock incl a New Haven RR Mack FCD railbus, Alco RS-1 diesel locomotive, fully operating turntable, etc.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton; 203-261-0134.

Through June 30: paintings, fiber art & area rug designs by nationally acclaimed textile designer Emmy Oake, and photos by award-winning photographer Jeff Becker.

The Gallery at Hunt Hill Farm, 44 Upland Hill Rd, New Milford; 860-355-0300.

Through June 5: “A Visual Dialogue,” narrative symbolic abstractions in oil & acrylic by Ginger Hanrahan, colorful layered rectilinear compositions by Derek Leka & charcoal figurative drawings by Donna Cleary.

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

Through May 30: “On The Road: People, Places and Things, a photographic essay,” images by Tom Kretsch that capture calm & soothing moments incl shots of Tuscany, Spain, Mexico, Maine, Newfoundland, Cape Cod, Alaska, The Madeline Islands and his hometown of Westport.

*(new show) May 31-July 26: “The Mystique of India and Turkey,” new works by the photographer Hank Meirowitz; June 5, opening reception & artist’s talk, 3-5 pm.

*(new show) May 31-June 5: “Rubbertastic,” new works by Aaron Szymanski, who has begun using a two-part self curing industrial silicone rubber material for his paintings; June 5, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

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

The Artist’s Corner (in Museum Shop, can be visited without paying full museum adm): Through May 31: drums & rattles by Cree artist Terri (Many Feathers) Delahanty.

Koenig FrameWorks, 97 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-1887.

Through May 27: “Spring Photography Show 2011: Fantasy,” 60 images from 33 photographers who accepted challenge to create images following simple theme.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury; 860-350-2181.

Through July 2: “Barns and Gardens,” recent landscapes by Bettina Skor, who has had lifelong interest in paintings landscapes that surrounded her during childhood in Bridgewater.

Morrison Gallery, 5 Maple St, Kent; 860-927-4501.

Through May 29: works by Warner Friedman, Jean-Claude Goldberg, Gary Komarin, Jonathan Perlowsky, Jonathan Prince & Janet Rickus.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Grounds are always open dawn through dusk; call for visitor center and gallery hours; 203-761-9945, 203-834-1896.

*(new show) Through Aug 21: “From Pencil To Plate,” new works incl drawings & prints by Sally Frank, who spent two weeks at Weir Farm in March 2008; June 5, “Prints & Process” gallery talk, 2 pm.

Concerts, Musical Events________________

June 3: Music @Trinity: Simon Thomas Jacobs, Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St, Newtown, 8 pm, free recital by award-winning organist to incl works of J.S. Bach, Walton, Alain, et al, reception to follow; 203-426-9070 extension 11.

June 7: “Leading Ladies” at Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 6:30 pm, free dramatic, musical performance by actress, singer & writer Patty Carver, who portrays for “Leading La-dies” of American history, suitable for all ages, registration required; 203-794-8756 x4.

For Kids & Families      ______________________

June 5: Family Fun Day, Dickinson Park, 10 Elm Dr, Newtown, 12-5 pm rain or shine, free, special appearance by Matt Kennon (performance at 1), also NASCAR driver Todd Szegedy, refreshments, vendors, games, raffles, petting zoo, face painting, car seat safety, child ID kits, fire truck &* more, sponsored by CT Department of Children & Family Services to support foster care & awareness; 203-207-5267.

Miscellaneous ____________________________

May 28: NUMC Super Tag Sale, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 9 am-3 pm,  tag sale hosted by church’s Relay For Life team (The NUMC Angels) will raise funds for Relay/American Cancer Society.

May 28: 11th Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race, Sandy Hook Center Park, 3-5 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook, 10 am-3 pm, Lions Club event will host booths from local vendors & businesses, live music & entertainment, refreshments & The Duck Race (2 pm, tickets $5), also prize this year for Best Dressed “Duck Personnage.”

May 28: The Villages of Washington Community Day, area of Rte 47 at Rte 109, Washington Depot, 10 am-3 pm rain or shine, music, sidewalk sales, kids’ activities, trades, retail, art, entertainment, food, local organizations & more, presented by The Washington Business Assn.

May 29: Annual Brookfield Historical Society Strawberry Festival, Brookfield Historical Society & Museum, Rte 133 at 256, Brookfield Center, approx 12:30 (will begin after Memorial Day Parade)-3 pm, strawberry shortcake & soft drinks for purchase (proceeds to benefit historical society), live music by The Billy Michaels Jazz For Juniors Band, antique cars display & Brookfield War Memorial exhibition (inside museum) will be open; 203-775-8140.

June 3-4: Spring Fundraiser & Relay For Life Bake Sale, St Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd (Rte 111, opposite Monroe Green), Monroe, 9:30 am-3 pm; 203-268-4265.

June 4: CT Trails Day Hike, Brunot Preserve, Taunton Hill Rd (0.8 mile from  Dodgingtown Road/Route 302), Newtown, 10 am-noon,  join Newtown Forest Assn members for dedication & hike of new 4-mile trail (shorter option available), also dedication of new property acquisition, geocaches; 203-270-3650.

June 4: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, $9 adults, $8 seniors, $3.50 children, optional coffee house w/ live music follows (see listing under Concerts); 203-426-9998.

June 4-5: Annual Art Show & Sale, Lakeside Gallery, 49 Taunton Lake Rd, Newtown, 2-4 pm each day, annual 2-day open house hosted by artist & gallery owner Pat Barkman; 203-426-8949.

June 4-5: Newtown Relay For Life 2011, Fairfield Hills campus/Newtown Youth Academy, 4 Primrose St, Newtown, public events 3 pm-midnight rain or shine, Kids For A Cure 4:30, formal opening ceremony 6 pm, Recognition Ceremony at 8, Luminary Ceremony at 9, ongoing fundraising, events & competitions, all proceeds to benefit American Cancer Society.

June 5: Family Fun Day, Dickinson Park, 10 Elm Dr, Newtown, 12-5 pm rain or shine, free, special appearance by Matt Kennon (performance at 1), also NASCAR driver Todd Szegedy, refreshments, vendors, games, raffles, petting zoo, face painting, car seat safety, child ID kits, fire truck & more, sponsored by CT Department of Children & Family Services to support foster care & awareness; 203-207-5267.

June 5: Book Signing/Author Program with Joanne Bodin, Redding Community Center, 37 Lonetown Rd, Redding, 4-6 pm, free (reservations required by June 3), author of Walking Fish & 2-time winner of 2011 International Book Awards will discuss the route of self-publishing, how to avoid writer’s isolation syndrome & the importance of an editor, teas from Simpson & Vail (BYO tea cup/mug; attendees also asked to bring appetizer to share), live music by Joshua Cipolla; 203-938-3870.

June 6: “A Southern Family’s Civil War Experience,” Brookfield Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25 at Rte 133), Brookfield Center, 7:30 pm, free program by history enthusiast will trace one family’s history incl the impact of the Civil War on their Florence, Ala., plantation, also artifacts & regalia on view, refreshments to follow; 203-740-8140.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-2475.

(FILM) May 27-June 1: Battle Los Angeles, Fri-Sun 7 & 9:10 pm, Tues-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Flanders Nature Center/Van Vleck Farmhouse, Flanders & Church Hill Rd, Woodbury; 203-263-3711.

Through May 29,  Sun 2 pm (weekly), guided wildflower walks along Botany Trail, led by members of Pomperaug Valley Garden Club, donations to benefit trail upkeep.

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

June 4, Soapstone Carving Workshop, 11 am-4 pm, $60 ($50 members), primitive technologist Jeff Kalin will teach how to use traditional stone & bone tools to carve, drill & polish soapstone into functional & decorative items.

Newtown Chess Club, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

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 203-788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 203-270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am (spring & fall start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: May 28, St John’s Ledges, Kent (Cassie Brown, 203-313-7161); June 4, Westmoreland Sanctuary, Bedford, N.Y. (no dogs; Jim Steck, 845-621-5559 or 914-806-4107).

Newtown Toastmasters, Town Hall South Parks & Recreation Conference Room, 3 Main St, Newtown; 203-313-5507.

Local chapter (NewtownToastmasters.FreeToastHost.cc) of nat’l/international organization meets 1st & 3rd Wed/month, guests & newcomers welcome: next meeting: June 1.

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level, use rear parking lot), 45 Main Street, Newtown; 203-270-4377.

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; 203-426-6654.

Programs 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, free, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: June 8, watercolor abstract by Robert Alberetti.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-6224 (ask for Betty) or 203-264-3728 (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.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, at The Garage (Newtown teen center), 53 Church Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 203-426-6242, 203-364-0631.

Open mic 7:30 pm, featured poet at 8:45, poetry editing workshop follows featured poet: June 1, Charles Rafferty.

Theatre     __________________________________

May 30: Reunion Performance of Les Miserables, The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 7 pm, $30-$20, special performance by Sabrina’s Encore Productions w/ cast members from previous productions will fully benefit The Newtowner magazine; 203-364-4455.

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield; 203-431-9850.

Seascape with Sharks and Dancer, June 3-25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (June 12 & 19) 5 pm, $24, $20 students & seniors.

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

The Great American Trailer Park Musical, through June 19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $28.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items listed first, with additional events listed by their start time.

 

DEADLINE INFORMATION

Press releases for Enjoy must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to Associate Editor Shannon Hicks, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com.