Antiques Shows______

June 1: 36th Spring Antiques & Art Show, Helen Keller Middle School, Sport Hill Rd/Rte 59, Easton, 10 am-4 pm (early buying 8:30-10 am, $10 adm), regular show adm $4; 203-374-2324.

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.

*(new show) June 1-July 13, “Portrait Gallery,” sculpted portraits of the heads of artists, critics & art dealers by Nina Levy, w/ all portraits suspended roughly eye-level from the ceiling; June 1, opening reception, 3-6 pm.

*(new show) June 1-Aug 31, “A River Half Empty: Artists Engage Connecticut’s Environment,” collaborative exhibition between museum, CT Fund for the Environment (CFE), Weir Farm Trust & National Park Svc at Weir Farm w/ artists reflecting on some of the environmental concerns CFE has worked to address during its 25-year history, presented at Aldrich Museum & Weir Farm, artists incl Mara Adamitz Scrupe, Rachel Berwick, Adam Frelin, Lisa Kereszi, Frank Noelker, Sven Pählsson, Claudia Schmacke, Michelle Segre & Peter Waite; June 1, opening reception (at both sites, shuttle buses available between locations), 3-6 pm.

*(new show) June 1-Aug 31, “Elizabeth Demaray: The 2003 Aldrich Emerging Artist Award Recipient,” sculptures “that make profound connections between science, art & cultural assumptions” by conceptually based sculptor & winner of annual major award from Alrich; June 1, opening reception, 3-6 pm.

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.

Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Wed-Sat 1-5 pm. Call 203-367-7917.

Through June 21, “International Women of Hope,” 12 digital posters by Robert Appleton focusing on female recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize from around the world.

Through June 21, “Nature’s Art: The Joy of Wilderness,” 13 nature photos by Theodore A. Rees Cheney depicting scenes from New England, Montana, & Alberta, Canada.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Hours: (Jan-March) Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, (April-Dec) Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 778-8337.

Current feature exhibit: “A Railroad At Work – The New Haven Railroad, 1956-1966,” series of photos from vast port-folio of Jack W. Swanberg depicting New Haven Railroad, incl many taken in & around Danbury.

Permanent exhibitions on railroad history (museum is along old New Haven RR line & housed in former Danbury sta-tion & railyard), also original & restored rolling stock incl a New Haven RR Mack FCD railbus, Alco RS-1 diesel locomo-tive, fully operating turntable, etc. (see Misc calendar for ongoing programs schedule)

Fine Line Art Gallery, 586 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Th-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 266-0110.

*(new show) June 1-30, “Innovations in Color and Light,” watercolors & acrylic paintings by Julie L. Hickcox; June 7, opening reception, 2-6 pm.

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

Through June 23, “Joy Of Color,” several dozen oil & gouache paintings by Connie Aronson.

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.

Through June 21, “Travels from Maine to Portugal,” new collection of works by Dick McEvoy.

Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47), Washington Green. Hours: Mon & Fri 9:30 am-5 pm, Tues 2-8 pm, Thurs 9:30 am-8 pm, Sat 9:30 am-3 pm. Call 860-868-7586.

*(new show) May 31-July 7, works by Gabrielle Ammirati ranging from landscapes to surrealistic images; May 31, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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

*(new show) June 7-Aug 31, “Messengers: The Paintings of Joan LaRocca,” watercolor originals & limited edition signed & numbered giclee prints by Ms LaRocca characterized by Native American & dream imagery woven together, often featuring multiple layers of transparent images embedded within total design, accompanied by works of middle school students & faculty of Chippens Hill Middle School (in Bristol, where Ms LaRocca teaches).

Through June 15, “Cutting Edge,” assemblage art by Westport artist Nina Bentley.

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

*(new show) June 1-Sept 18, “Picture Perfect: Images of Northwest Connecticut,” major loan exhibition of 33 paint-ings of northwest CT created by leading American artists betw 1790-1840 incl works of Cropsey, Ralph Earl, Homer Dodge martin, William Trost Richards, et al, plus related exhibits at historical societies at Litchfield Historical Society, Cornwall Library, Gunn Historical Museum, Kent Historical Society, Flanders Nature Center, Old Bethlehem Hist Soci-ety & New Milford Hist Society; June 5, “Escape To The Country: The Artists of the Litchfield Hills,” noon, $20 (incl lunch at museum’s Exhibition Café), lecture by Robert Austin; June 12, “Escape To The Country: William Henry Lip-pincott,” noon, $20 (incl lunch at museum’s Exhibition Café,” lecture by CT Humanities Council assoc director Laurie Rayner; July 11, Art in the Park, 12-3 pm, free presentation on Waterbury Green (opposite museum) of artists working en plein aire, children welcome to bring their own art supplies, picnics welcome.

Permanent exhibition: “Fortune’s Story/Larry’s Legacy,” new research findings offer details about skeleton of African-American slave who lived in Waterbury during late 1700s.

Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury. Hours: (Nov 1-March 31) Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Hours: (April 1-Oct 31) Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 790-9277.

“Unterseeboot,” exhibit detailing the history of submarine warfare during WWII incl formation of the German Subma-rine Art and the April 5, 1942 attack on Cape Hatteras.

Permanent life-size interior dioramas w/ major military vehicles, extensive outdoor displays, also “Names on the Wall” computer program to help locate names on Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

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

*(new show) May 31-July 10, handmade furniture incl desk, bed, dining table & bookcasemade of Honduran mahogany by Strother Purdy & colorful, impressionistic paintings by Janine Wesselmann; May 31, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Hours: Tues, Thurs-Fri & Sun 12-5 pm, Wed 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm. Museum Highlights Tour offered each Sun at 2 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

Through July 13, “Winslow Homer’s America,” the complete collection of 220 woodcuts creater by Homer early in his career as an illustrator (age 21-39), plus 20± watercolors & oils from later in career.

Sandman Studios & Gallery, 596 Old Sherman Hill Rd, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 3-5 pm, also by appt. Call 203-695-9964.

Through June 11, “Ascend To Summer,” oil landscape paintings by David P. Curtis; April 27, open house, 3-5 pm.

Sherman Library, Rte 39, Sherman. Hours: Tues-Wed, Fri 11 am-6 pm, Thurs 11 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-354-2455.

*(new show) June 1-28, “Portraits in oil & other works,” portraits & landscapes by Carol Tambour.

Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-966-5617.

Through June 13, “Art of the Northeast USA,” 54th annual juried competition featuring paintings, drawings, sculpture, mixed media, installations & videos as selected by Aldrich Museum director Harry Philbrick (this year’s juror); June 7, gallery walk & talk with Aldrich curator Richard Klein, 1 pm (note: this is a change from program’s original date).

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-278-2670.

Through July 6, “Structures of Difference,” works made during the past 50 yrs incl figurative & abstract painting, pho-tography & sculpture, all linked by the idea of difference.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm (closed Wed), Sun 2-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

*(new show) May 31-June 22, “The Architect’s Eye,” kinetic stainless steel & aluminum sculptural works by Yale-trained architect T. Merrill (Tim) Prentice, watercolors by Alec Purves “made from the direct observations of nature” & watercolors by former interior designer-turned-full-time artist Jack Dunbar; May 31, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

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

*(new show) June 1-Aug 31, “A River Half Empty: Artists Engage Connecticut’s Environment,” collaborative exhibition between Aldrich Museum, CT Fund for the Environment (CFE), Weir Farm Trust & National Park Svc at Weir Farm w/ artists reflecting on some of the environmental concerns CFE has worked to address during its 25-year history, presented at Aldrich Museum & Weir Farm, artists incl Mara Adamitz Scrupe, Rachel Berwick, Adam Frelin, Lisa Kereszi, Frank Noelker, Sven Pählsson, Claudia Schmacke, Michelle Segre & Peter Waite; June 1, opening reception (at both sites, shuttle buses available between locations), 3-6 pm.

Wilton Art Gallery & Framing, 379 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-762-8311.

*(new show) May 31-June 27, “Travels with My Palette: Watercolors from Hawaii, Europe, Asia and throughout the world,” watercolors by retired plastic surgeon Dr Robert Fischl; June 1, opening reception, 3-6 pm.

Woodbury Antiques & Fine Art, 473 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-266-4753.

Through June 21, new collection of abstract landscape oils by Roxbury artist Susan Monserud.

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.

Through July 20, “Bill Brandt: A Retrospective,” major touring exhibition spans Brandt’s photographic career w/ 155 vintage gelatin prints from Bill Brandt Archive in London; June 12, exhibition tour, 11 am; June 14, introductory tour of museum, 11 am.

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 July 6, “Homer To Hopper: Masters of American Watercolor,” works by Winslow Homer (ca 1870s) coupled w/ pcs that follow elevated standing of watercolor in American art history incl Eakins, La Farge, Prendergast, Singer Sargent, Demuth, Burchfield, Hopper, et al.

*(please note: as of May 18, all exhibitions & most programs will be in adjacent Egerton Swartwout building; YUAG will be undergoing extensive renovations for two years.)

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

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.

Ridgefield Theatre Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850.

June 8-9: Auditions for Beth Henley’s Crimes of The Heart, 7-9 pm, roles available for 6 actors (4 women, 2 men, all in late 20s-early 30s), readings will be from script, auditioning w/ “Mississippi southern accent” appreciated by not required.

Summer Festival Chorus, Fairfield Univ/Quick Center for the Arts, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

June 17: Auditions for 2003 Summer Festival Chorus, 7 pm, experienced vocal singers invited to audition, be prepared to sing vocal warm-ups & exercises, rehearsals will be Tues & Thurs eves until Aug 9 concert, program will incl works of Gershwin, Schubert, new jazz by Dr Joe Utterback, more, musical director is Carole Ann Maxwell.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

May 30: Brown Bag Concerts: Pianist Will Duchon, Creative Music & Arts, 731 Main St/Rte 25, Monroe, 12-1 pm, free performances, bring lunch & enjoy performance of Beethoven’s Piano Concerto #3; 261-7301.

June 1: Concert by Michelle Willner, Trinity Church, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4 pm, free performance by Danbury High School singer will include selections of W.A. Mozart, Richard Strauss, Schubert, et al, donations will support Mu-sic at Trinity series, audience invited to post-performance reception with Miss Willner; 426-9070.

June 7: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:30 pm, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see details under Miscellaneous), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-0617.

June 11-13: The Miracle of Fatima, WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 180 White St, Danbury, curtain 7 pm, tickets $18-$24, musical penned by Housatonic Comm College & SHU intructor Barbara Oleynick-Dwyer addresses human nature, good vs evil, freedom & oppression; 203-362-2020.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-4519.

Stage A/Performance Art & Music Series, performances 8 pm: June 7, The Stefon Harris Quartet, tickets $40, self-taught jazz artist brings his quartet to support The Grand Unification Theory.

CHIRP 2003 (Concert Happenings In Ridgefield’s Parks), Ballard Park, off Main Street/Rte 35, Ridgefield..Call 203-431-2760.

Free concerts (donations gratefully accepted & used to pay performers’ fees, also series scheduling, park maintenance, etc), performances 7 pm, rain location is Temple Shearith Isreal (400 Main St): June 3, The Ridgefield Chorale, accompanied by The Ridgefield Swing Band, program of Broadway, pop & swing music; June 10, Brock Mumford, Matt Munisteri & NYC-based band returning by popular demand w/ program of “hot jazz & gypsy swing.”

Gate House Coffee House, Rte 172, Southbury. Call 586-2144 (Southbury Training School).

2003 Summer Concert Series, 2nd & 4th Tues, 6:30 pm (under pavilion if rain), free adm: June 10, Willie Nininger, singer-songwriter has developed rep as great folk humorist & top flat-pick guitarist.

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 31, Brookfield High School Small Chorus, a cappella group of young voices is directed by Karl Hermonat.

Films _________________

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

May 30-June 5: A Mighty Wind (PG-13), daily 7:10 & 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1, 3 & 5 pm; Bend It Like Beckham (PG-13), daily 6:50 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 4 pm; Raising Victor Vargas (R), daily 7:25 & 9:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20, 3:20 & 5:20 pm; The Main On The Train (NR), daily 7:35 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30, 3:30 & 5:30 pm.

June 1: Sunday Classic with Dr Lowry, Midnight Cowboy, 10:30 am, tickets $10 (incl pre-film info & post-screening discussion led by Dr Lowry).

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

June 2-6: The Hours (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Tues 1 pm.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Call 203-852-0700.

IMAX film through June 12: Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West, Mon-Fri 11 am, noon, 1, 2 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, noon, 1, 2 3 & 4 pm.

IMAX double features through June 12: Lewis & Clark: Great Journey West and The Discoverers, Fri-Sun 7 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Free public programs: June 1, Princess Jeweliana’s Party, 3:30 pm, children ages 3-6 invited to join author Allia Zobel at party based on her new counting book (Princess Jeweliana’s Party), author will read her book, then lead guests in craft project; June 5, Dog, Cat & Mouse Storytime, 11 am, story time featuring the picture books The Mouse, The Cat and Grandmother’s Hat by Nancy Willard & Happy Dog! By Lisa Grubb.

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: June 1, Wildflower Sa-fari, 12-3 pm, crafts & other flower-related activities.

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

Free programs (unless specified): May 31, Author Visit & Book Signing, 2 pm, program w/ children’s author & former schoolteacher Laurie Krebs to celebrate her new release, We All Went On Safari: A Counting Journey Through Tanzania.

Miscellaneous ___________

May 31: All Church Tag Sale, Stepney Baptist Church, 423 Main St, Monroe, 9 am-3 pm, coordinated by Ladies Aid Society of Stepney Baptist Church; 268-9680.

May 31: “Introduction To Invasive Plants: Issues and Identification” program at Ridgefield Library 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 9:30 am-12:30 pm, free slide lecture by Charlotte Pyle (from US Dept of Agriculture, Natural Resources Con-servation Service) will explain invasives & why they need to be controlled, how to ID them, successful management techniques, question & answer session, followed by optional short field trip (wear clothes & shoes suitable for explo-ration); 203-438-2282 (library, for directions), 203-846-8210 (Norwalk River Watershed, for program details).

May 31: 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 31: Keeler Tavern Museum Historic House Tour, begins from museum, 132 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 10 am-5 pm, tickets $25/advance, $30/day of, five period homes of Ridgefield (most within walking distance) plus first floor of museum’s tavern building will be open to public incl Thaddeus Keeler House, The King House, The Benedict House, The Post House & The Samuel Olmstead House, proceeds benefit museum; 203-438-5485.

May 31: Advanced Hike at Tarrywile Park, Southern Blvd, Danbury, 10:45 am start, limited to 10 people (pre-registration required), over difficult terrain & expected to last 5½-6 hours at constant heavy pace, bring water & lunch, hike will go from park’s red barn out past Hearthstone Castle to Eureka Reservoir & back, canceled only if heavy rain; 744-3130.

May 31: Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, tickets $15, singles & couples welcome, performance by 2002 German Federal State Champions Michael Karls & Constanze Meadow (American debut), also dancing to DJ selections, snacks, reservations suggested; 203-374-7308.

June 1: MEOW Tag Sale, Bethlehem Fairgrounds, Rte 61, Bethlehem, 8 am-3 pm rain or shine, fundraiser for non-profit, non-destroy feline welfare organization; 203-266-6390, 860-567-0847.

June 1: BowlFest 2003, Brookfield Craft Center, 256 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, 1-4 pm, tickets $25 incl picnic buffet, live music, silent auction & sale of unique craftwork donated by BCC faculty members (also, all guests will get to select a handcrafted bowl from selection made by faculty, students & friends of BCC), fundraiser for craft center; 775-4526.

June 2: BookTalk program, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free discussion of The Fall of The House of Ill-Repute and Other Short Stories will be led by Dr Edward S. Orzac; 264-1716, 262-6123.

June 3: “The Art of Creating Your Ideal Garden,” Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 9:30-11:30 am, $20, program by garden designer & NY Botanical Garden lecturer-instructor Jane Brook Barba is for novice & experienced gardeners, learn how to choose best plants for gardens, plant combinations, annual & perennials, old-fashioned flowers, etc; 203-263-2855.

June 6: Newtown Singles Meet & Mingle event, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25 (at the flagpole), Newtown, 7-9 pm; 261-4210.

June 6: “Seminar For parents: Pop Culture, Its Impediments and Its Solutions,” Brookfield Theater of the Arts, Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 1-3 pm, free (registration requested), seminar for parents presented by The Devereux Glenholme School (Washington, Conn.) will offer ideas on violence in videos & video games, how to safeguard children from negative influences of pop culture, & finding positive impact w/ universal values; 860-868-7377.

June 6: Annual Regional Hospital Arts Festival & Cosmopolitan Buffet, Boehringer Ingelheim Corporate Headquarters, 900 Old Ridgebury Rd, Ridgefield, begins 7 pm, tickets $75, fine art from 100+ nationally & internationally known artists & sculptors, buffet w/ food from 20 of area’s finest restaurants, specialty desserts & champagne precede live auction (begins at 9), proceeds benefit Regional Hospice of Western CT; 797-1685 x22.

June 6-7: Annual Sandy Hook Lobster Fest, Sandy Hook Fire & Rescue Co. Fire House, Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-9 pm, tickets $16/advance, $18/door, full lobster or steak dinner w/ sides, also available raw clams, shrimp, desserts, more, music.

June 6-8: 24th Annual “The Greek Experience,” Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, 30 Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury *(shuttle service from & most parking at nearby Danbury High School), Fri 5-11 pm, Sat 12-11 pm, Sun 12-9 pm, festival features traditional Greek food, dancing, raffles, games & other activities; 748-2992.

June 7: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner incl salad, desserts, and soft drinks/coffee raises funds each month for church, all welcome, coffee house/musical event follows (see details under Concerts); 426-0617.

June 7: Annual Tag Sale, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, 9 am-3 pm, proceeds of sale w/ items donated by church members will benefit church’s programs & missions, also local outreach within community, refreshments also available; 748-6112.

June 7: National Trails Day Hike, Osbornedale State Park, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 9:30-11 am, $3, guided hike will focus on history of forested landscape & how CT forests have been used by people over several centuries, moderate pace, registration necessary; 734-2513.

June 8: “An Afternoon with Frank McCourt,” Keeler Tavern, 132 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, tickets $50, program featur-ing author of Angela’s Ashes and ‘Tis will benefit Western CT Assn for Human Rights; 792-3540.

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: June 3, Nature Walk for Adults, 9 am, $5 suggested donation, 2-hour walk at leisurely pace designed for moderately active participants, watch for birds & search for spring wildflowers & leafing trees; June 7, Perimeter Hike, 2 pm, $5 suggested donation, celebrate Nat’l Trails Day w/ moderately vigorous 3-hour hike led by center manager John Longstreth through some of center’s forest, meadows & along Pomperaug River, bring snack & water.

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

Free public programs: June 8, book signing, discussion & demo w/ John Ross, 3 pm, dog training expert & former Danbury resident will discuss his new book (Adoptable Dog: Teaching Your Adopted Pet to Obey, Trust and Love You), then offer demo w/ his own dog.

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

Free public programs: June 3, slide show on watercolors, 7-8:30 pm, presentation by perennial specialist Marlyse Dembicer (also an accredited organic landcare professional) will concern wildflowers in their native habitats, also how to place & grow them in gardens; June 10, monthly book discussion, 7-8:30 pm, discussion of Katharine Weber’s The Music Lesson, all welcome.

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

Programs free unless noted: May 31, Basic Computer Class, 9 am-noon, free, registration required for basics class led by Dan Tannenbaum; June 3, book discussion, 1 pm, concerning Stephen Ambrose’s D-Day; June 7, Intermediate Computer Class, 1-4 pm, $10, registration required for class led by Dan Tannenbaum; June 9, book discussion, 1 pm, concerning Margaret Drabble’s The Millstone; June 10, Creative Writing Group, 7 pm, first meeting of new group for writers of all levels & backgrounds who want to share works in progress, group size limited (registration suggested).

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Hours: 10 am-4 pm daily (April 1-Nov 26). Call 778-8337.

1st Sat each month (April-Nov), Rail Yard Local, adm to msm incl rides through rail yard in 1920s era passenger coach w/ stop on state’s only operating turntable. (see Arts listings for permanent exhibit info)

Wednesday Evening Events series, 7:30-8:30 pm, sm donation requested, programs follow weekly museum member meetings, subjects as follows: June 4, “Rockville Bridge Strasburg Railroad” by Steve Gould; June 11, Walkill Valley Railroad” by Carlton Mablee.

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

Misc programs: May 31, Artists’ Day at Flanders, 9 am-2 pm, artists of all levels & backgrounds working in all media invited to work outdoors for the day (artists welcome at any time; maps, check-in & refreshments available 9-2), rain date is June 1, resulting work will be displayed at Flanders Sugar House weekend of June 28-29; June 28-29, show of work by local artists who participated in Flanders Artists’ Day in May, 10 am-4 pm, works in many mediums inspired by Flanders grounds, light reception (Sun 2-4 pm, public welcome).

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

Garden Conservancy Sunday Walks, guided walks at 10 am, noon & 2 pm: June 1, tour of Arboretum will focus on mountain laurel (diff program in Aug); August 10, tour of Arboretum will focus on sweet pepperbrush.

Kismet, programs at Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 748-3125.

Meetings 2nd & 4th Sun each month, 4-6 pm, $20: June 8, “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 31, Cheshire Rail-Trail – hike, bike or roller blade (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); June 7, Appalachian Trail, Cornwall (Rita Qubick, 203-268-4119); June 14, White Memorial/Mt Laurel (Claire Sivacek, 744-0086).

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 accesso-ries, etc.

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-2282.

Free programs: May 31, “Introduction To Invasive Plants: Issues and Identification,” 9:30 am-12:30 pm, slide lecture by Charlotte Pyle (from US Dept of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service) will explain invasives & why they need to be controlled, how to ID them, successful management techniques, question & answer session, followed by optional short field trip (wear clothes & shoes suitable for exploration), call 203-846-8210 (Norwalk River Water-shed) for program details.

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.

Theatre ______________

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

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, May 30-Aug 10, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $34-$42, discounts for seniors (matinees only), group & rush discounts also available.

Edgarton Center for the Performing Arts at Sacred Heart University (formerly Center for the Performing Arts at SHU), 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Call 203-365-7541, 203-371-7908.

Evita, June 6-22, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $20 adults, $17 seniors, group rates available.

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

 Me and My Girl, through July 5, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, call for ticket prices.

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

The Night of The Iguana, through June 22, curtain Tues-Thurs, Sun 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, call for matinee schedule, tickets $22-$60; May 31, Pay-What-You-Can performance, 2:30.

Ridgefield Theatre Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850.

American Buffalo, May 30-June 21, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, also Sun (June 8 only) 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 students & seniors; NOTE: play has strong language not suitable for ages 16 & under.

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

The King Of Memphis: The Music of Elvis, through June 8, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50.

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 39 (behind firehouse), Sherman. Call 860-354-3622.

The Mystery of Irma Vep, June 6-28, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $13 seniors & students.

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

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

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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 publi-cation 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.