Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (through mid-Dec): 39th 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): 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.

June 17-18: Wilton Outdoors Antiques Show & Sale, Allen’s Meadows, Rte 7 (north of high school), Wilton, 10 am-5 pm (early buying Sat 8:30 am, $20), show adm $10, also flag ID & appraisals; 203-762-3525.

June 23-25: Litchfield County Antiques Show, Kent School, Rte 341, Kent, Fri 6:30-9 pm (preview party, $100 incl readmission all weekend), Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, show adm $10, 40± dealers, educational booth chats 1-3 pm (Sat-Sun), proceeds to benefit Greenwoods Counseling Services; 860-567-0300.

June 24: Third Annual Antiques Show, Old Avon Village, Rte 44, Avon, 9:30 am-4 pm (rain date June 25), free adm & parking, outdoor show; 860-643-5353, 860-257-3647.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

Through July 15: “New England Views,” nostalgic New England landscape paintings by Barbara Goodspeed.

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 1-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through June 30: “Diamonds in the Rough: Vintage Base Ball Photography by Ray Shaw,” 29 large-scale color & black and white photos celebrating base ball played w/ old-fashioned rules, also scorebook w/ rules of game ca 1861, 1864, 1876 & 1886.

In first floor display cases — Through June 30: “Old Time Base Ball Collectibles,” compliment to photography exhibition in meeting room offers antique metal baseball players made in Bridgeport, a Babe Ruth doll, equipment, photos & more.

Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rtes 133 & 25), Brookfield Center. Hours: Sat 12-4 pm, first Sun of month, by appt & chance. Call 740-8140.

Through Sept 4: “The Brookfield Landscape Past to Present,” antique musical instruments, museum artifacts, pictures & relevant items highlighting town’s history, also 7-ft long overview of new Super 7 Bypass extension & computer generated short video of its expected impact on Four Corners intersection.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Call 203-869-0376.

Through June 18: “Caves: The Inside Story,” adventure & science of caves are explored w/ re-creations, demos, animals specimens & interactive exhibits, all ages invited to explore what it’s like to be a caver & learn how caves are formed.

City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Court, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-5:30 pm, Sat 11 am-4 pm, also by appt. Call 203-334-7748.

Through July 1: “Art & Artists of Black Rock,” multi-media celebration featuring work by 15 artists of Bridgeport’s Black Rock neighborhood.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Wed-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through June 25: “Pintimento,” assemblage art by Leah Rhodes, who only uses found objects or materials from everyday life to transform recognizable objects into something more mysterious.

Gallery at Riverbrook, 151 West Gilbert Rd, Southbury. Hours: Sat-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 264-2299.

Through June 25: “Third Annual Spring Show,” oils incl landscapes, city views, nudes & Impressionist interpretations by Richard Martin Miller-Murphy, selected works also available as giclée prints (proceeds to benefit Habitat for Humanity of Greater Waterbury).

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (on the green), New Milford. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun & eves by appt. Call 860-354-3436.

Through June 23: “Roxbury Regional Art Show,” juried collaboration between gallery & Roxbury Congregational Church will offer works by regional artists.

Gregory James Gallery, 25 North Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Call 860-927-7133.

*(new show) June 24-July 31: inaugural show for new gallery location features new works by Christopher Magadini; June 24, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

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

*(new show) June 22-July 29: “Visions from The Heart,” juried exhibition of works by artists w/ disabilities; June 22, gallery talk by Margaret Bodell (co-founder, The Viewing Room Gallery), 6 pm; June 22, opening reception-fundraiser for Kennedy Center & Barnum Festival 2006, 6:30-8:30 pm, tickets $45/person, $75/couple, reservations by June 16.

*(new show) June 23-July 29: “Plastic Princess: Barbie As Art,” multi-faceted traveling exhibition showcases visual & new media artists whose work features one of the most potent & long-lasting (pop) cultural icons – Barbie – by examining the impact of the “so-called plastic princess on culture within contexts of feminism, gay culture, gender issues & the use of a commercial symbol & product for purposes of artistic expression; June 23, opening reception, 6-8 pm.

Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Sat-Sun 12-4 pm. Call 860-927-3989.

Through July 9: “KAA Spring Art Exhibition,” juried show w/ work in oils, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, graphics & sculpture.

Miller Studio & Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3939.

Through July 7: “The Beach Series,” paintings by Fairfield artist Helene Brier, who spent summers during 1970s paintings beaches of Fairfield County, also sampling of newer works by the artist.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Mon 12-7 pm, Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am-2 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through July 1: “Bumpy Relations,” etchings, drawings & works in mixed media by Anne Marie Carnese & Dana Filibert.

Molten Java, 102 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 739-0303.

Through June 30: “Photos by Faith & Peter,” photographs by Newtown residents Faith & Peter Vicinanza.

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

Through June 25: “The Joy of Painting,” still life & landscape paintings by Robert Lenz.

Northwest Corner Artisans (in Backcountry Outfitters complex), 8 Old Barn Rd, Kent. Hours: daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-927-3069.

Through June 30: “Friends That Fly,” fine art & craft of birds, bugs, butterflies & fairies by Heidi Kelly (stained glass), Betty Ann Medeiros (watercolors & tiles), Joan Palmer (watercolors), Elissa Weil (paintings on barn wood), Near North (Adirondack birds & bugs), Marian Meigs (cut paper), Rose Garbien (needle felted ladybugs) & Basil (pastels).

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, Sherman. Call 860-354-2455.

Through June 29: “Themes and Variations,” photographs by Alan Ostrum.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Call 860-868-2878.

Through June 18: “Illustrators,” works by Carl Chaiet, Victoria Chess, Mercer Mayer, Lane Smith, Nancy Tafuri & Mo Williams, all of whom create illustrations for children’s books.

Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours:  Mon-Thurs 10 am-4 pm, Sun 1-4. Call 762-7257.

Through July 30: “The Stars and Stripes: Fabric of The American Spirit,” parade flags from the 19th Century, hand made or printed to wave during special celebrations incl parades, holiday events & political rallies, loaned from private collection of J. Richard Pierce.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-567-3163.

*(new show) Through Dec 30: “In the Garden of Sophia,” combo of traditional oil on canvas painting, digital manipulation & laminated glass technology by Hugh O’Donnell shows process used to create new series of chapel windows for room dedicated to meditation & contemplation at Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Hat City Kids, at The Opera Cottage/Hat City Music Theater, 25 Hamilton Dr, Danbury. Call 746-2694.

June 24: Auditions for school-age children to join chorus of Hat City Kids for “Broadway on The Green,” 9-10 am, registration requested, auditions first-come first-served, prepare solo from musical of choice, patriotic melody or hymn, chorus will join Hat City Kids & Hat City adult cast for July 15 concert of classic B’way hits, call or send email to HatCityMusic@aol.com for details, directions, etc.

Newtown Community Flea Market, at Fairfield Hills campus, Wassermann Way, Newtown. Call 426-4714.

Aug  1: Deadline for early reservations for Sept 2-3 flea market, spaces $25/day per 10x20-ft space, $45/2 spaces, $65/3 spaces, discount for 2 days (call for details; also, rates increase after Aug 1), no electricity or tables provided, event will run 9 am-4 pm both days, dealer set-up begins 7 am, sponsored by & benefit for Newtown Congregational Church, contact Barbara Field at above phone # for details.

Nichols Arts & Crafts Fair, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1734 Huntington Turnpike, Trumbull. Call 203-378-1781.

Sept 9: Arts & crafts vendors invited to apply for annual event, contact Alice Britton for details & application.

Wilton Playshop, Lovers Lane, Wilton. Call 203-762-7629.

June 19 & 21: Auditions for 2006 Summer Student Playshop, start 7:30 each night, open auditions for six one-acts by David Ives to be directed by students, executive director & producer Skip Ploss seeks actors entering freshman year of high school through age 22, also seeking backstage help, performances of Variations on The Death of Trotsky, Words Words Words, Time Flies, Mere Mortals,Sure Thing & The Philadelphia, visit WiltonPlayshop.org or contact Mr Ploss at skip@WiltonPlayshop.org for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

June 17: The Music of The Rat Pack, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, doors open 7:15 pm, dinner at 7:30, show starts 8:30 pm, tickets $56 (plus tax; gratuity included; cash bar), dinner event will be followed by show celebrating the voices & comedic chemistry of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin & Sammy Davis, Jr; 426-7001.

June 17: Old-Time Square Dance, Christ’s Church, 59 Church Rd (just off Rte 59), Easton, 6-9 pm, adm $7/person, $10/couple, $15/family ($1 discount in all price ranges if purchased in advance), calling by Culver Griffin, traditional music to be performed by The Jackson Pike Skifflers, refreshments available; 268-3569.

June 23: Afternoons at The Opera: Tosca, Pomperaug Woods auditorium, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 1 pm, free screening of one of world’s most popular operas continues monthly series co-sponsored by Southbury Senior Center & Pomperaug Woods, light refreshments served; 262-0651, 262-6557.

June 25: The Berkshire Big Band at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 4 pm, free concert will continue library’s Afternoons at The Arbor concert series, bring low chairs or blankets for seating, concert will move indoors if rain; 775-6241 x104.

Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 426-5847.

20th Annual Summer Sounds Concert Series, 7 pm, free, bring chairs/blankets, call if rain predicted: July 5, Housatonic Jazz Band, ragtime music & jazz favorites.

Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-7001.

Social Ballroom Dancing, every Wed, begins 7 pm, adm $15 incl dinner buffet, dance lesson & coffee.

Country & Western Dancing, last Thurs/month, begins 7 pm, adm $15 incl dinner buffet, dance lesson & coffee.

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

Summer Concert Series, Tues 6:30 pm (under pavilion if rain), free adm, bring chairs or blankets for seating: June 20, Eight To The Bar, one of East Coast’s most popular swing band; June 27, Sherry Winston w/ Timmy Maia, sensitive & soulful jazz flautist w/ smooth vocal R&B singer.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Hours: daily 11 am-5 pm. Call 426-1533.

Sunday Music Series, 1-4 pm, $10/adv, $12/day of: June 18, Garden Jazz; July 2, Garden Jazz.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: June 25, The Legendary Lead Singers of The Temptations, starts 7 pm, $65 ($45 for those who had tickets to June 17 Robert Klein show), performance by Karen Ali Darnell Carter, John Doc Devone, Barrington Bo Henderson & Glenn Leonard.

Spinning Wheel Inn, Rte 58, Redding Ridge. Call 203-938-3823.

Friday Finale, 8 pm, regionally renowned vocalists & instrumentalists for listening and/or dancing pleasure, also desserts & coffee, reservations preferred: June 16, Nicole Pasternack & Michael Capolla, jazz standards w/ a twist.

Films _________________

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

June 16-22: The Wild (PG), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm, Thurs 4 pm.

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

June 23-25: Director’s Cut Film Festival – Bruce Bereford, Q&A w/ director to follow each screening: Fri, Black Robe, 7:30 pm (call for info about post-screening VIP reception w/ Mr Bereford); Sat, Evelyn, 4 pm; Sun, Driving Miss Daisy, 7:30 pm.

 

 

 

 

For Kids & Families _________

June 24: Kids’ Day at Botsford Post Office, 1 Botsford Hill Rd (just off Rte 25/Main St South), Newtown, 1-2 pm, free tour of post office facility & presentation on stamp collecting, reservations required; 426-4465.

June 24: Hat City Kids chorus auditions, at The Opera Cottage/Hat City Music Theater, 25 Hamilton Dr, Danbury, 9-10 am, auditions for school-age children to join chorus of Hat City Kids for “Broadway on The Green,” registration requested, auditions first-come first-served, prepare solo from musical of choice, patriotic melody or hymn, chorus will join Hat City Kids & Hat City adult cast for July 15 concert of classic B’way hits, call for details, directions, etc; 746-2694.

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 25, 3rd Annual Family Festival, 1-5 pm, $20/family (call for other rates), camping equipment demos, natural foods, solar viewing w/ Astronomical Society of New Haven, hands-on family & children’s activities, bring papers for shredding & learn how many trees can be saved annually by recycling, walks, programs & more.

Wilton Playshop, Lovers Lane, Wilton. Call 203-762-7629.

June 19 & 21: Auditions for 2006 Summer Student Playshop, start 7:30 each night, open auditions for six one-acts by David Ives to be directed by students, executive director & producer Skip Ploss seeks actors entering freshman year of high school through age 22, also seeking backstage help, performances of Variations on The Death of Trotsky, Words Words Words, Time Flies, Mere Mortals,Sure Thing & The Philadelphia, visit WiltonPlayshop.org or contact Mr Ploss at skip@WiltonPlayshop.org for addt’l info.

 

Miscellaneous ___________

June 16-18: Annual Friends of Roxbury Library Book Sale, Hodge Memorial Library & Museum, Rte 67 (opposite town green), Roxbury, Fri 5:30-8 pm (preview party, 5:30-8 pm, adm $35/couple, $20/person w/ wine & hors d’oeuvres & earliest shopping opportunities, handmade quilt raffle, plus birdhouse silent auction), Sat early buying 8:30-9 am (adm $5), regular buying 9 am-4 pm, Sun 12-3 pm (most items half price), thousands of books in many categories, proceeds will benefit library; 860-354-2613.

June 17: 2nd Annual Flea Market, St Thomas Church, Rte 63, Goshen, 8:30 am-2:30 pm (rain date June 24), crafts, furniture, clothes, toys, refreshments, proceeds to benefit the church; 860-491-3484.

June 17: Juneteenth at Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 2:30-3:30 pm, $5 suggested donation (reservations requested), nationally celebrated commemoration of end of slavery will incl African dance & drum group Sounds of Afrika, poet Iyaba Ibo Mandingo, neo-soul recording artist Kevin Haden & other performers; 203-753-0381.

June 17: “A Celebration of Young Writers,” Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Rte 47, Washington Depot, 6:30-8:30 pm, tickets $35 general adm, $50 reserved seating, readings by Frank McCourt, Denis Leary, Peter Gallagher, A.R. Gurney Jr, Susan Kingsolving & 5 addt’l literary & entertainment giants of works by students in Region 12 schools will serve as fundraiser for ASAP (After School Arts Program), readings to be preceded by silent auction & catered reception; 860-868-0740.

June 17-18: 35th Annual Strawberry Festival, Monroe Green, Rte 111, Monroe, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, free adm, old-fashioned early summer festival will offer native strawberries alone & baked into shortcake, jellies & other treats, also inexpensive games for children, entertainment, 100+ juried artists & crafters, special presentation by CT Piecemaker’s Quilt Guild (Sat 0only, $2 adults, $1 children entry donation), sponsored by Monroe Congregational Church; 268-9327.

June 18: Western CT Orienteering Club meet, Bethel Schools Complex/David Deakin Education Park, Whittlesley Dr, Bethel, registration & starts 10 am-noon, adm $6 ($4 WCOC members), courses set up by Rick DeWitt, instruction available; 860-658-7963.

June 18: “Unplanned (but Productive) Spiritual Practice: Handling Insurmountable Obstacles & Pain,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program led by yoga center co-founder & instructor Janaki Pierson will be followed by group meditation (free instruction avail.) & informal tea reception follows; 203-263-2254.

June 19: “From Rails to Trails in The Housatonic Valley,” Town Council Building (adjoining public library), Monroe Green, Monroe, 7 pm, free slide program by Sue A. DelBianco (author, The Last Phantom Train) will offer compelling images of places, people & artifacts related to one heavily-traveled Housatonic RR that served passengers & carried freight betw 1840-1960 & the current use of the land as transportation corridor for foot & bike traffic; 452-5481 (Monroe Library).

June 20: “The Intimate Galapagos – An Island Adventure,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, optional catered dinner 6:30 pm ($20 for dinner & program, reservations due by June 15; donation for program only is $6/adults, $3/student & walk-ins welcome), program 7 pm, presentation by Sam Fried (past president, Hartford Audubon Society) will offer look at life above & below the water 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador; 734-2513, 734-9325.

June 21: Networking Cocktail Party, New Sorrento Restaurant, 32 Newtown Rd/Rte 6, Danbury, 5-7 pm, fine wines courtesy C&C Wines & Liquors, hors d’oeuvres by New Sorrento, door prizes, meet reps from many local businesses; 746-6971.

June 23-24: “Hats Off To Danbury: A Standard Flower Show,” at Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury, Fri 10 am-5 pm,m Sat 10 am-3 pm, free adm, members of Danbury Garden Club will create floral design interpretations for display in divisions incl “Danbury’s Changing Times,” “Back In Time” & Celebrating Danbury,” also horticulture division, Jr Garden Club division, special exhibits & boutique; 744-2057.

June 23: Annual Ice Cream Social, New Morning Natural & Organic, Middle Quarter Mall, 738 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 4-7 pm, $5/person, naturally delicious ice cream sundaes featuring products from local dairy, also live music by singer-songwriter Becca Anderson, free drawings, proceeds benefit Safe Haven; 203-263-4868.

June 24: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $17 incl dinner buffet & desserts, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldiest & requests), dress to impress/no bluejeans; 203-468-1144.

June 24: Flea Market, Church of the Good Shepherd, 680 Racebrook Rd, Orange, 8 am-2 pm, breakfast available; 203-934-4446.

June 24: St Paul’s Church Fair, St Paul’s Episcopal Church, 294 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, Treasure Chest, white elephant table, tag sale incl furniture, baked goods, family & children’s activities, also special performance by CCS Chamber Singers (11 am), proceeds will benefit church’s Christian Stewardship Fund & scholarship fund; 263-0804.

June 25: Easton Road Scholars Show: Classic, Custom & Cool Cars & Cycles, at Helen Keller Middle School, 360 Sport Hill Rd, Monroe, 10 am-2 pm, adm $10 for display cars & motorcycles, $5 ages 16 & up, free ages 15 & under, 17 vehicle classes (dash plaques for 1st 100 to register; registration encouraged but not mandatory), also children’s activities, concession stands, 50s music & more, proceeds to benefit Easton Public Library; 261-0134.

June 25: “Introducing Spirituality To Children: A Mother’s Role,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free presentation by Barb Baron will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & informal tea reception; 203-263-2254.

June 26: “Demystifying American Culture,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, 6:45-8 pm, free (no registration), lecture by Annie Master, author of América Revelada & editor-in-chief Segunda Patria em Revista, who will share experiences of living successfully in US after growing up in Brazil by demystifying some American culture & subtleties of American terms, phrases & idioms, copies of her book will be available; 797-4505.

June 28-29: 39th New Milford Village Fair Days, Village Green, New Milford, Fri 10 am-10 pm, Sat 9 am-9 pm, free adm, all booths under tents, 250+ booths incl 140 artists & artisans, antiques & collectibles dealers, food, entertainment, leave pets home; 914-273-4667, (during fair) 914-589-1355.

June 30: “History Meets Natural History: The Ecological Legacy of Historical Stone Walls,” Ridgefield Crossings, 640 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield, 7 pm, free public lecture by WCSU assoc prof of biological & environmental studies Dr Mitch Wagener, collaboration betw senior living community & Western CT State Univ is open to public as way of providing continuing education opportunities to all ages; 837-8486.

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

Programs free unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: June 25, 3rd Annual Family Festival, 1-5 pm, $20/family (call for other rates), camping equipment demos, natural foods, solar viewing w/ Astronomical Society of New Haven, hands-on family & children’s activities, bring papers for shredding & learn how many trees can be saved annually by recycling, walks, programs & more.

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

Free public programs: June 23, “Wild Edible Plants,” 7 pm, free 90-min program by naturalist John Root will offer help on identifying & enjoying locally available wild plants, also guidelines for safe & responsible foraging.

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

Programs free unless noted: June 28, Literature For A Lifetime, 7-8:30 pm, join Pat Barkman for discussion about Speak Memory; July 5, Literature For A Lifetime, 7-8:30 pm, join Pat Barkman for discussion about Reading Lolita in Tehran.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

June 24, “Magical Meso-American Flora & Fauna,” 2 pm, free (does not incl zoo adm), lecture by zoo docent Melinda Karwon.

Flagpole Photographers, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 270-8576.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome:

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

Art at The Nature Center, 7:30 pm, $5:

Misc programs:

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

Programs 10 am, $5 each, reservations suggested:

Garden Conservancy Day, guided walks at 10 am, noon & 2 pm:

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

June 17, Archaeology & Ecology Walk through Peoples State Forest, 10:30 am-2:30 pm, fee $12 ($10 members), anthropologist Andrea Rand & naturalist Walter Landgraff will lead walk through evergreen & hardwood forest & along wetlands & streams while offering local archaeology & ecology lessons (meet at IAIS & carpool to starting point).

Kismet, programs at Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 748-3125, 426-9448.

Dinner programs 4th Sat/month, 7-9 pm, $15 & bring dish to share, RSVP requested: June 24, program will be Ikebana Flower Arranging, led by a Shamballa master & minister of the Order of Melchizedek.

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

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9:30 am (later start during winter season), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: June 17, Minnewaska, N.Y., all day hike followed by dinner out (Nancy Ziegler, 203-732-2618); June 24, end of year gathering at Osborndale State Park pavilion, Derby, rain or shine short hike, pot luck luncheon (call Rita Qubick, 268 4119, or Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025, for food coordination and more information); June 30-July 3, end of year weekend in New Hampshire, reservations required (Rita Qubick for details and reservations, 268-4119).

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.

Programs 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: June 28, pastel figure program by Melody Asbury.

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.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at Marisa’s Ristorante, 6540 Main St, Trumbull (call 459-4225), tickets $10 unless noted, comedy shows start 10 pm, live music starts at 6 (unless noted; no cover charge unless stated): June 16, An Evening of Comedy & Hypnosis starring Gary Conrad, showtime 10 pm, tickets $10;

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9:30 & tickets $15 unless noted: June 24, Bob Nelson headlining, Willie Sacco opening, showtime 10 am, tickets $19.50.

Wednesday Night Poetry, at Molten Java, 102 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 739-0313 (Molten Java).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 requested if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: June 21, Ginny Lowe Connors; June 28, Victoria Rivas; July 5, Independence Day Poetry Open Mic, also feature reader LisaAnn LoBasso-Spencer.

Theatre ______________

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

Li’l Abner, through July 2, curtain Fri 8, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $25-$63.

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

Menopause The Musical, through Sept 17, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, also Wed (July 12 & 26, Aug 9 & 23, Sept 6) 2 pm, tickets $49.50, group discounts available.

Musicals At Richter, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury. Call 748-6873.

Damn Yankees, June 23-July 8, curtain Fri-Sun 8:30 pm, tickets $20 adults, $15 seniors, $12 students, group & season ticket rates available; June 22, discounted preview performance, call for details.

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

The Spitfire Grill, June 16-July 15, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (June 25 & July 2 only) 2 pm, tickets $24 adults, $20 seniors & students, cabaret seating.

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

Honour, through June 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $13 seniors & students.

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

The Music of Tin Pan Alley, through June 25, curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, also Sun 7 pm, also first Tues (June 13) 7 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $21-$34.

Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court (off Rte 1), Westport. Call 203-227-4177.

Jam & Spice, through June 18, curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 3 pm, Wed 2 pm, tickets $30 and up, student, teacher & group discounts.

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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. 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.