Antiques Shows______

Saturdays: Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, Rte 6 near Rte 64, Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week, event runs weekly through mid-Dec; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec 19): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1.

Aug 6-8: 9th Annual Antiques & Treasures Sale, Keeler Tavern Museum, 132 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, Fri 9 am-5 pm (early buying 8 am, $10), Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, free adm, items donated by members of Ridgefield community, sale is fundraiser for museum, guided tours of museum available ($5 adults, $3 students, $2 ages 12 & under); 203-438-3166.

Aug 7: 31st Annual Antiques Festival on the Green, Main St at Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $4 (early buying 7 am, $10); 860-633-6890.

Aug 13-14: Pine Point School Antiques Show & Sale, Barnes Rd, Stonington, Fri 11 am-6 pm (early buying 10 am, $10), Sat 10 am-5 pm, adm $4.50, 50 selected dealers, proceeds to benefit Pine Point Parents Assn; 860-536-7729.

Aug 14: 31st Annual Exchange Club of Madison Antiques Exhibit & Sale, on the green, Post Rd/Rte 1, Madison, 9:30 am-4:30 pm (early buying 8:30 am, $10); 203-245-7139.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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 Olga Knoepke Meeting Room: Through July 31, “Place of Rest,” photographs & complementary poetry by John Ulatowski.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 775-4526.

Through Aug 8, “Poetic Spirit,” fine multi-media craftwork by 10 nat’l profile artists, each asked to provide pcs that “emulate their personal spirit & poetry,” incl works by Jamie Bennett, Bob Ebendorf, Jim Fawcett, Klindt Houlberg, Ron Isaacs, Thomas Mann, Tommy Simpson, Missy Stevens, Roy & Mara Superior, & David & Roberta Williamson.

Brookfield Historical Society, Rtes 133 & 25, Brookfield Center. Hours: Sat 12-4 pm, also by appt & by chance (when museum flag is displayed). Call 740-8140.

Through Aug 31, “Inner Space To Outer Space.”

The Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-372-3521.

Through Sept 17, “Maze-A-Palooza,” 2,500-sq-ft exhibit offers fun & science of optical illusions w/ 30 optical effects hidden throughout life-size maze, visitors invited to negotiate maze & solve puzzles while finding way back out.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-5 pm, Tues & Wed 10 am-8 pm, Thurs 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm. Call 261-0134.

Through Aug 31, “Fields of Gossamer,” photographs by Connecticut artist Lucy Sander Sceery.

Flanders Nature Center Welcome Center, Church Hill at Flanders Rd, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3711.

Through Aug 30, “In The Natural State: The Nude in the Art of Natalie Van Vleck,” major exhibition of 21 works (paintings, drawings & woodcuts) by the founder of Flanders Nature Center offers works that comprise a significant proportion of Ms Van Vleck’s oeuvre.

Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm, Sun 12-10 pm. Call 203-266-4663.

Through Aug 8, “Wanderings,” paintings based on the around-the-world travels of CT artist Erin Walrath.

Through Aug 8, evocative figurative works & subdued landscapes by CA-based artist & attorney Gwen Freeman.

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.

Through Aug 29, “Summer Art Show 2004,” new work by gallery artists Christopher Magadini, Edward Martinez & Bill Rice, also works by Rick Daskam, Patrick Purcell, Anda Styler & Danielle Wexler, plus works by special guest artists Roger Kastel & Michael Patterson.

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.

Permanent display of oils & pastels by Dick McEvoy.

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.

*(new show) Aug 1-31, ink prints from woodblocks, painting & decoupage by Rosanne Verlezza; Aug 8, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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

Through Aug 29, “Edward S. Curtis: Photographs from the Matus Collection,” 34 framed & 7 matted images by Edward S. Curtis, one of the most celebrated photographers of Native Peoples, loaned from collection of Bernard & Nancy Matus.

Through Aug 31, “Northern Hunters and Fishermen: Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic, Sub-Arctic and Northwest Coast,” objects reflecting Native American peoples’ lives in, reliance on & respect for the plant & animal life that surrounded them in homes of northernmost North America.

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

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Hours: daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-852-0700.

Through Sept 7, “Microbes: Invisible Invaders, Amazing Allies,” interactive journey through hidden world of bacteria, viruses & other germs.

Permanent exhibit: “Sea Turtles,” loggerhead sea turtles in 15,000-gallon habitat, also displays on sea turtle conservation, life history, behavior, migration & latest studies; also “On The Water,” second floor/Maritime Hall exhibit of maritime models & nautical facts offers insight into boats & their origins, plus explanations of nautical terms such as “between the devil & the deep blue sea.”

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) July 31-Sept 8, “Portraits And More,” portraits, nudes & landscape paintings by Roxbury resident Brandon Soloff; July 31, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Ridgefield Guild of Artists (RGA) Gallery, Halpin La, Ridgefield. Hours: Thurs-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-438-8863.

Through Aug 8, “Where In The World,” annual themed show has artists answering, with 2 of their original works, “where in the world (or universe) do you want to visit?”

Sadelier, 69 West Wooster St, Danbury. Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sat 11 am-5 pm, Fri 11 am-6 pm, Mon by appt. Call 743-4830.

Through Aug 12, abstract photographs by Caryn B. Davis.

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

*(new show) Aug 1-29, “14th Annual Juried Student Exhibition,” entries in painting, drawing, printmaking, photography, sculpture, ceramics, mixed media, jewelry, silversmithing, collage & computer graphics done by Silvermine students during past two years, as selected by juror Lee Anne Miller; Aug 1, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, Sherman. Hours: Tues-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-354-2455.

*(new show) Aug 1-31, “Vintage Summer Olympic Posters,” original posters from games incl 1932 Los Angeles, 1964 Tokyo, 1968 Mexico City, 1996 Athens & more, loaned from private collector.

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

Through Aug 1, “kid size: The Material World of Childhood,” everyday objects designed for children over three centuries and around the world through 130 pcs of furniture & other artifacts, comparing & contrasting familiar forms from Europe & US w/ objects from sub-Saharan Afica, China, Papua New Guinea, India & indigenous peoples of the Americas; July 31, “Down With Design,” 10 am-5 pm (incl w/ museum adm), self-guided gallery tours, display of low-rider bicycles designed by a Hartford youth club, drop-in art activities.

Through Aug 15, “Epitome of Elegance: The Kay Hoffman Fashion Collection,” a glimpse into the wardrobe of one of Hartford’s fabulous fashion icons offers 20 garments incl evening gowns, cocktail dresses, smart suits & day dresses.

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

*(new show) July 31-Aug 29, “Vibrant,” paintings by Pam Cardwell, Deborah Morris & Esme Thompson; July 31, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

In Upstairs Gallery:

West Wind Studio, 35 Calhoun St, Washington Depot. Hours: Fri-Sun 1-5 pm or by appt. Call 860-354-6518.

Through Aug 8, “Escapes & Double Takes,” paintings by Mary Frank, who is celebrated for her highly charged mythological & metaphorical landscapes.

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) July 31-Aug 24, “Travels,” digital photographs taken in Italy, Washington (state), Oregon & Maine by Wilton High School senior Robbie Bailer; July 31, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

Wilton Historical Society/Wilton Heritage Museum, 224 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-4 pm, some Sundays 1-4 pm (call ahead). Call 203-762-7257.

Through Sept 1, “Folk Art On The Floor: Expressions of Women’s Lives,” antique rugs incl rare examples of 19th C & contemporary counterparts made by women following the tradition of earlier generations, works by well-known artisans as well as works by regional & local women (note: new rugs were put on view after mid-July); Aug 1, “American Folk Rugs: Anonymous Folk Art By Women,” 2 pm, $10 incl slide lecture plus tour of exhibit & museum’s 14 period rooms.

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 Aug 15, “Stagestruck in America: Artists, Entertainers, and Audiences, 1906-1956,” celebration of YUAG’s acquisition of Shinn’s “The Orchestra Pit, Old Proctor’s Fifth Avenue Theatre” & Kuhn’s “Chorus Captain” couples those works w/ paintings, drawings, photos & prints from gallery’s collection sharing the glitzy allure of vaudeville, burlesque, music halls, jazz clubs & early movies incl works of Mabel Dwight, Walker Evans, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Reginald Marsh & James Van Der Zee.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Aldrich Museum and Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield. Call 203-428-4519.

Aug 27: Submissions due for “Radius: Professional Practice Series for Adults,” artists need to submit entry form, bio/résumé, artist’s statement, SASE, up to 8 works done within last 2 years, list of pertinent info regarding works, selections made by Sept 7, consultations w/ curator Oct 4-6 (by appt), group exhibition of selected artists will open Nov 13 at RGA gallery, visit www. AldrichArt.org/RadiusGuidelines for full details.

Bridgewater Fair Art Show, Bridgewater Firehouse, Rte 133, Bridgewater. Call 860-350-1409, 860-350-1121.

Aug 19: Entries sought for annual art show to be part of 53rd Annual Bridgewater Country Fair, receiving & registration 4-7 pm, all work must be original, work by adults must arrive properly framed, matted & ready to hang, children’s art should be matted (not necessary to have framed), accepting original works in oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, etchings, lithos, monotypes, monoprints & woodcuts, will be on view Aug 20-22, pick-up must be Aug 22 betw 6-7 pm, contact Classic Photography (first phone # above) or art show superintendent Pamela Hochstetter (second #) for addt’l info.

Diaz Memorial Video Festival, c/o Charter Communications, 11 Commerce Rd, Newtown. Call 860-350-4630, 860-354-8930.

Sept 15: Videos due for festival, awards in 2 age groups (students/ages 14-18 & adult), contact Charter for full competition details, winners will be announced in Nov, non-winning entries from last year may be resubmitted.

Newtown Congregational Church Flea Market, at Fairfield Hills, off Wasserman Way, Newtown. Call 426-4174.

Aug 21-22: Spaces available for annual event, $35 each, organizers welcome groups w/ tag sale items, artists & crafters, vendors, etc, sale will run 9 am-4 pm each day, contact Barbara or Lee Field for details.

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

Aug 2-3: Adult auditions for Medea, 7-9 pm, director Jane Farnol seeking men & women of all age ranges, readings from script, all roles available, professionals & amateurs welcome, rehearsals will be Mon-Thurs eves beginning late Aug, production will run weekends Sept 25-Oct 23.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

July 30: “A Cure for Joey,” The Hollow/Hollow Park, Hollow Rd (off Rte 6), Woodbury, 4-7 pm, adm by donation (proceeds will benefit 13-year old Joey Eckler, Sandy Hook youth w/ a malignant brain tumor), performances by Shrdlu Band, The Josh Berry Experience & fiddler Larry Deming.

July 30: Lineage Dance Company at Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 7 pm, adm $25 adults, $10 students & seniors, contemporary dance, poetry & storytelling by members of Los Angeles-based company performing fundraiser (partial proceeds to library, partial to dance company touring country for non-profit & charitable organizations); 203-762-3950.

July 31: Ballroom dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $15 (singles & couples welcome), dance lesson at 8, performance by Latin dance stars Ilya Ifraimov & Nadia Goulina at 9:30, remainder of evening dancing to DJ selections,

July 31: “Valerie Tutson: Stories n’ Stuff,” Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 8 pm, tickets $10; 775-0023.

Aug 1: “An Afternoon of Music,” The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 2:30 pm, $10 donation (for Alzheimer’s Assn of CT), pianist King Bosworth, mezzo-soprano Margaret Capen & violist David Vogel will perform diverse works of Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Rossini, Debussy, Chopin, & Richard Rogers; 426-8118.

Aug 3: The Jackson Pike Skifflers at Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, free performance of folk and mountain music continues 18th Annual Summer Sounds concert series, all welcome, bring blankets/seating; 426-5847.

Aug 3: Clam Diggers Dixieland Band at The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 7 pm, free concert will continue Homesteads’ Free N’ Easy Summer Concert Series, light refreshments and seating provided, indoors if rain, RSVP requested; 426-8118.

Aug 5: Bristol Old Tyme Fiddlers Club at Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30-8 pm, $7, performance by group formed 30+ years ago to promote art of “old-tyme fiddling” will headline First Thursdays at Mattatuck this month, also wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres & access to museum’s exhibits; 203-753-0381 x20.

Ballard Park, Main St/Rte 35 at Gilbert St, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-2760.

CHIRP 2004 (Concert Happenings In Ridgefield’s Parks), 7-9 pm, free, picnics welcome (rain location East Ridge Middle School): Aug 3, The Fairfield Counts, The John C. Grasso Memorial Concert will offer great hits from the Big Band era by 17-pc band & vocalist.

Bethel Summer Concert Series, Bethel Municipal Center, 1 School St, Bethel.

Free concerts on center’s front lawn (indoors if rain), 6 pm, BYO seating, picnics welcome: Aug 1, Tara’s Thistle, vocal duo performs Irish folk songs accompanied by keyboard, guitar, lowland smallpipes, flute, whistle & bodran; Aug 8, The Sonny Carroll Orchestra, 21-pc, 2-singer band led by namesake conductor, composer & arranger offers energetic original arrangements of old dance tunes & swinging originals.

Booth Library Concert Series, at The Pleasance, 1 Main St at Sugar Street (Rte 302), Newtown. Call 426-4533.

Summer Concert Series, free, 7 pm, concerts move to library’s meeting room if rain (25 Main St): Aug 13, River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs, Hartford-based band “cooks up spicy musical gumbo that combines traditional sounds of button accordion and washboard with driving, syncopated beat.”

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

Ballroom, Latin & Swing Dance Party, every Wed 7-11 pm, $12, singles & couples welcome for free dance lessons (7:30), buffet dinner (8), open dancing to DJ selections, dressy attire (no jeans).

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: Aug 3, singer-songwriter-guitarist Kate McDonnell; Aug 10, Dan Stevens, acoustic finger-style guitarist performs blues & American roots music.

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

“Garden Jazz,” Sun through Oct 10, 1-4 pm rain or shine, $10 (reservations a must), enjoy intimate jazz performance & wine tastings in garden overlooking vineyards, non-alcoholic drinks also available.

Yale Univ Guild of Carillonneurs, Harkness Tower’s Jonathan Edwards College courtyard, Elm St at Chapel, New Haven. Call 203-432-2309.

2004 Carillon Concert Series, Fri 7 pm, free concerts on Harkness Tower’s 54-bell carillon, BYO seating (indoors if inclement weather), picnics welcome, guest performers & their homes follow: Aug 6, John Widmass (Frederick, Md.); Aug 13, Jeremy Chesman (Southwest Missouri State Univ).

Films _________________

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

July 30-Aug 5: Before Sunset (R), daily 7:10 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1, 3 & 5 pm; De-Lovely (PG-13), daily 6:45 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 4 pm; The Door in the Floor (R), daily 7 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 4:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4:10 pm; Fahrenheit 9/11 (R), daily 7:20 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 4:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4:20 pm.

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

July 30-Aug 5: Garfield (PG), daily 6 pm, mat daily noon; Two Brothers (PG), daily 8 pm, mat daily 2:30 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

July 31: “Valerie Tutson: Stories n’ Stuff,” Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Rte 25, Brookfield Center, family performance 2 pm, tickets $10; 775-0023.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Aug 3, “Real Rescue Heroes: Fire Safety,” 10:30 am, free (pre-registration required) program for ages 3-5 by firemen about what they do & some of the equipment they use.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: July 31, “Super Saturday Science Workshop: Connecting Science & Math,” 10 am-noon, $6 materials fee due at registration, program for students entering grades 3-4 will be led by teacher & artist Leslie Troy; Aug 3, “Real Rescue Heroes: Fire Safety,” 10:30 am, free (pre-registration required) program for ages 3-5 by firemen about what they do & some of the equipment they use, program repeats for ages 6 & up at 11:30; Aug 3, “Forensics: The Science of Crime,” 1:30-3 pm, ages 10 & up invited to meet Officer Robinson, who will talk about police detective work & looking for clues before leading participants through mock crime scene; Aug 6-7, “15-Minute Hamlet,” 1-5 pm, $30 (plus refundable $20 script fee), ages 7 & up invited to join actress Leland Kellogg for 2-day workshop to learn, rehearse & then offer public performances of Shakespearean spoof.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-869-0376.

Through Aug 1, “Simply Sensational: An Exploration of The Sense,” family-oriented exhibition illustrates how people & animals use their senses to survive in & strive to understand the world.

Musicals at Richter Fairy Tale Theatre, at Wooster School, Ridgebury Rd, Danbury. Call 748-6873.

Off-site series by Musicals at Richter’s young actors’ ensemble, grounds open 10:30 (crafts offered), performances 11 am, all tickets $5, BYO blankets/seats: July 31, Sleeping Beauty.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-345-4800 x150.

Polka Dot Kids Theatre Series, monthly series w/ guest performers, shows at 10 am & noon, tickets $12, series tickets & group discounts available:

Quick Center for the Arts/Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Missoula Children’s Theatre Summer Workshop performances (student performers working w/ acclaimed nat’l program), curtain 7:30 unless noted, tickets $10 adults, $8 children (group discounts available): Aug 19-20, The Jungle Book, different casts each night; Aug 13, The Frog Prince.

Young Audience series, performances 1 & 3 pm, tickets $12 adults, $10 children:

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

Family Magic Story Hour, 11 am-noon, free, in Children’s Garden (in mansion library if bad weather, park in upper lot): next programs Aug 3, 10.

Miscellaneous ___________

July 30-31: 37th Annual New Milford Village Fair Days, New Milford Green, Rte 202 at Main St, New Milford, 10 am-10 pm both days, free adm, 20 juried antiques dealers & 140 juried artists & craftspeople, also 100± goods & services/business booths, vendors, 8-mile road race & Children’s Fun Run, continuous entertainment, food, proceeds benefit John Pettibone Scholarship Fund, leave pets home (per organizers); 860-354-6080.

July 31: “The ABCs of Wine Tasting,” McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 3 pm, $25, class for novice & experienced wine tasters will offer look at how grapes are grown, how wine is made, how soil, climate & techniques affect wine, learn how to pair wines w/ foods while tasting wines of McLaughlin & other regional vineyards; 426-1533.

Aug 1: Stratford Baseball Card & Sport Memorabilia Show, Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-3 pm, adm $3 adults, 99 CENTS ages 10 & under, special appearance by former NY Met Amos Otis (12-1 pm), also dealers from 5 states w/ sport & vintage cards, new sets & wax boxes, sport memorabilia & collectibles, autographs & more; 364-1209.

Aug 1: “Woodbury Yoga Center Then and Now: 20 Years of Community,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program led by WYC co-founder & director Janaki Pierson, plus special guests affiliated w/ center over its 20-year history, will reflect on center’s past, present & future, group meditation & tea reception follows, all welcome; 203-263-2254.

Aug 3: “Love & Knishes: Reading & Understanding Food Labels,” The Federation-Jewish Communities of Western CT, 444 Main St North, Southbury, $5.50, lunch at noon, program at 1, nutritionist & registered dietician Judy Prager will discuss food labels, w/ emphasis on important nutrients & health claims, reservations ASAP; 267-3177 x105.

Aug 5: “Night Music” at WCSU’s Westside Observatory (Westside campus), University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, shows at 4 & 6:30 pm rain or shine, free; 837-8671, 837-8672.

Aug 7: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party at The Fireside, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (soft rock, recent oldies & requests), no jeans; 203-468-1144.

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, leave pets home: Aug 1, Butterfly & Dragonfly Walk, 9:30 am, suggested donation $5 (registration requested), naturalists Greg Hanisek & Mark Szantyr will lead walk to seek, capture, identify & then release insects; Aug 7, Botanical Society Walk, 10 am, sugg donation $5, join members of CT Botanical Society to search out & examine wildflowers, grasses & unusual plants in sanctuary.

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

Free public programs: Aug 8, author program w/ Kathleen O’Connor, 2 pm, local author will discuss her new mystery No Accident.

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

Programs free unless noted: Aug 9, Daytime Book Group (newcomers always welcome), 1 pm, discussion of Anne Seierstad’s The Bookseller of Kabul.

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

July 31, Tools of Native Lifeways, 11 am-1 pm, included w/ museum adm ($4 adults, $3.50 seniors, $2 ages 2-16), discussion by Wendell Deer-With-Horns (Two Kettles Band, Lakota Nation) will compare & contrast tools & implements from his Plains collection to those in museum’s collection, also learn uses of items & how they were related to survival; Aug 7, Flintnapping demo, 11 am-3 pm, $5 adults, $3 ages 5-16, primitive technologist Jeff Kalin (Cherokee) will show techniques for making stone tools, arrowheads & spear points.

Newtown Singles, meetings at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 261-4210.

Monthly “Meet & Mingle” events, 7-9 pm: next program Aug 6.

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 accessories, etc.

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.

Wednesday Night Poetry, Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 270-6202 (Michael Seri), 748-2828 (BAJ).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: Aug 4, Kevin Matthew Gianni; Aug 11, Vivian Shipley, editor Connecticut Review & CCSU Distinguished Professor.

Theatre ______________

Bridgeport Free Shakespeare at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-393-3213 (GBS), 203-394-6565 (zoo).

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, through Aug 8, curtain Wed-Sun 8 pm (gates open 6 pm for picnics, intern performances of The Tempest at 7), free adm.

Congregational Church of New Fairfield, 20 Gillotti Rd, New Fairfield. Call 746-2855.

The Music Man, July 30-Aug 8, curtain Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $10-$13, *($5 seats available for seniors during Aug 1 mat), annual production by youth of church & surrounding towns is fundraiser for church.

The Gary-The Olivia Theatre at Abbey of Regina Laudis, Flanders Rd, Bethlehem. Call 203-266-7811.

The Country Girl, Aug 6-14, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, sugg donation $15 (proceeds will benefit the Abbey).

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

2004 SummerStage season: My Fair Lady, through Aug 1, curtain Tues-Thurs, Sun 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat (selected weekday & weekend days) 2 pm, tickets $25-$55, group & student discounts, rush tickets available.

George Gershwin Alone, Aug 6-26, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Thurs & Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 2 pm, tickets $25-$45 (student & group discounts available; limited rush tickets also available); Aug 7, Pay What You Can performance, 2 pm.

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

Mainstage performances: Annie, July 29-Aug 14, curtain Fri-Sun 8:30 pm (grounds open 7:15), tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors, $12 students & children (group rates available; chair rentals available w/ advance reservation); Aug 5 & 22, rain dates if needed.

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

Little Me, through Aug 14, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Aug 1 & 8) 2 pm, tickets $25.

Westport Country Playhouse at Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-226-0153.

The School for Husbands, July 29-Aug 15, curtain Tues 7 pm, Wed-Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 4 & 8:30 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $45; July 31 (Sat), 7:30 curtain; Aug 4, post-performance symposium, guest speakers will discuss play’s background, historical context & meaning for today; Aug 12, Talk Back program, post-performance Q&A for audience.