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 28: 33rd Madison Historical Society Antiques Fair, on the green, Boston Post Rd/Rte 1, Madison, 9:30 am-4:30 pm rain or shine, adm $4, 120 dealers, leave pets home (per organizers); 203-245-0642.

Aug 28-29: Papermania Plus, Hartford Civic Center, Trumbull St, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $6, $3 seniors (Sun only), 150 exhibitors, appraisals (Sun 10 am-3 pm, free); 860-563-9975, 860-526-2234.

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.

Through Sept 1, “Into My World: Recent British Sculpture,” recent works (done within last 5 years) by 9 emerging & mid-career British artists – Laura Ford, Matt Franks, Roger Hiorns, James Ireland, Jim Lambie, Mike Nelson, Mariele Neudecker, David Thorpe & Saskia Olde Wolbers – many of whom are making their American museum debut.

Through Sept 1, “The Drawn Page,” works by 26 artists that were originally commissioned to appear in the pages of 8 regional newspapers while museum was closed for renovations, original works are now on view & represent “the complete stylistic range of contemporary drawing incl realism, abstraction, text, digital & process-based work.”

Through Sept 1, “Self-Sufficient Barnyard (The annual amount of livestock needed to feed a family of four),” installation by Jon Conner on library’s front lawn consists of 42 carved Styrofoam animals, deliberately sculpted to resemble computer-generated animals, “playing off our desire for a simpler life and also acknowledging our naïveté about what a simpler life may be.”

Through Sept 1, “Wall Drawing ##1123, Planes with broken bands of color,” original work created specifically for grand reopening of museum by Sol LeWitt covers the 1,800 sq ft south, west & north elevations of museum’s new Project Gallery.

Through Sept 1, “Big Baby,” Nina Levy’s 7-ft-tall sculpture of a toddler is back by popular demand, now situated in museum’s new entrance terrace.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In first floor display cases (near Children’s Dept): *(new show) Through Sept 7, dolls modeled after royal figures (Queen Elizabeth I, Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, et al) from the collection of Alyce Block.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room: Through Aug 27, representational paintings by the Sandy Hook artist Susan V. Snow.

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

*(new show) Aug 22-Oct 10, “50<>50: The Craft Continuum,” works by 59 of the country’s leading master craft artists, all of whom have studied, taught and/or exhibited at BCC over past 50 years, plus works by emerging artists associated with BCC, to celebrate center’s 50th anniv w/ look at past, present & future.

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.”

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.

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.

Gunn Memorial Library Stairway Gallery, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green. Hours: Mon & Fri 9:30 am-5 pm, Tues & Thurs 9:30 am-8 pm, Sat 9:30 am-3 pm. Call 860-868-7756.

Through Sept 25, murals, trompe l’oeil, classic & contemporary faux finishes & more by Matt Wood.

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

Through Aug 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.

Through Sept 6, “Annual President’s Show,” highlight of KAA’s 81st season incl 161 representational works in oil, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, graphics & small sculpture by artists of New England, NY & NJ.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven. Hours: Labor Day to May 1, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm; May 2 to Labor Day, daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-772-2130.

Through Aug 31, “Creating St Peter’s: Architectural Treasures of The Vatican,” artifacts that tell the continuing story of one of the world’s most famous & beloved landmarks incl Michelangelo’s 1560 study model for the dome of St Peter’s Basilica.

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

Through Sept 5, ”Back To Nature: City Parks and Country Retreats,” celebration of cherished retreats created during 20th Century to fill the needs of rapidly growing industrial community of Waterbury through original drawings by park architects, postcards, pictorial histories, broadsides for entertainment events, engravings, scrapbooks and more.

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.

Through Sept 8, “Portraits And More,” portraits, nudes & landscape paintings by Roxbury resident Brandon Soloff.

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 Aug 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.

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

Through Aug 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 NEW HOURS EFFECTIVE SEPT 1: Wed-Fri 11 am-5 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm. Hours. Call 860-278-2670.

Through Sept 5,  “Robert Rauschenberg: Current Scenarios,” new & early work by the contemporary American master marking artist’s first major presence at Wadsworth in 40 years incl 18 works from new “Scenarios” series, 2 portfolios from 1970 “Currents” series, plus earlier works from public & private collections.

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

Through Aug 29, “Vibrant,” paintings by Pam Cardwell, Deborah Morris & Esme Thompson.

White Silo Farm Winery & Gallery, 32 Rte 37, Sherman. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-355-0271.

*(new show) Aug 27-Sept 12, new works by Phyllis Boger (oils & acrylics, also batiked paintings & scarves), Diane Mesagno (garden sculpture & “true-to-nature” paintings), Adele Moros (multi-media paintings & hand-painted furniture) & Paula Renee (multi-media artist incl paper constructions, loom-woven paintings & tapestries); Aug 29, opening reception, 1-5 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.

Through Aug 24, “Travels,” digital photographs taken in Italy, Washington (state), Oregon & Maine by Wilton High School senior Robbie Bailer.

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).

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-6 pm, Tues-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

Through Aug 28, “The 60th Annual Wilton Artists Summer Art Exhibition,” works by 50+ well-known artists & new talent incl oils, watercolors, pastels, drawings & sculpture.

Wooster Community Art Center, 73 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury. Gallery hours: M-F 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Call 744-4825.

*(new show) Through Oct 31, installation of mural-sized candid black & white photos of NYC park benches & their occupants by Ridgefield photographer Shel Secunda; Sept 10, 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 Aug 22, “The Art of James Ward,” retrospective of one of finest animal, portrait & landscape painters of Regency England, drawn from YCBA’s collections of paintings, drawings, prints & manuscripts, offers viewers a rare opportunity to become acquainted w/ key works of the artist.

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.

Connecticut Master Chorale, rehearsals at South Britain Congregational Church, Rte 172, South Britain. Call 775-2602.

Sept 7: Rehearsals for 2004-05 concert season begin, openings for soprano & bass, rehearsals are weekly, season will incl annual “Holiday Prelude Concert” in Nov in Bethel, then March & May concerts in Newtown, contact director Tina Johns Heidrich for appt or details.

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 Labor Day Book Sale, Bridgeport Hall at Fairfield Hills, off Wasserman Way, Newtown. Call 426-2524, 426-3889.

Aug 23-26: Volunteers needed to sort books & set up hall for 29th annual book sale, work parties daily (Mon-Thurs) 10 am-noon & 7-9 pm, volunteers invited to drop in & help at their convenience, contact Joyce Goldin or Mary Maki for details.

Town Players, at The Little Theatre, Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 270-9144.

Aug 30-31: Auditions for Tina Howe’s The Art of Dining, 7:30-9:30 pm each evening, roles available for 6 women & 3 men in upcoming Town Players production, auditions continue on August 31, production will run weekends Oct 15-Nov 6 incl at least 1 Sun matinee.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Aug 20: Summer Strings Concert at Rogers Park Middle School, 21 Memorial Dr, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free concert by students in Danbury Music Centre summer courses will incl variety of music of many styles & levels, performers range from children & teens to adults, directed by Larry Deming; 748-1716.

Aug 21: 11th Annual One Heart Festival, Danbury CityCenter Green, Patriot Dr & Ives St, Danbury, begins 7:30-10:30 pm, free adm ($3 eventparking available at municipal garage opposite green), BYO chairs/blankets/seating (leave pets home), featuring performances by Justin McRoberts, DJ Maj, Holyfire, et al, rain location is Danbury High School (Clapboard Ridge Rd, doors will open 6:45); 770-8222.

Aug 24: “Love & Knishes: Two Pianos,” The Federation-Jewish Communities of Western CT, 444 Main St North, Southbury, $5.50, lunch at noon, program at 1, duo pianists King Bosworth & Janet Somoroff Lubell will perform works of Bach, Rachmaninoff, Gluck, Gershwin & more, reservations Aug 19; 267-3177 x105.

Aug 27: “An Evening with The Dave Brubeck Quartet,” WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $30 & 35 adults, $25 students/18 & under, headlining performance by the legendary composer & pianist w/ Bobby Melitello on sax & flute, Michel Moore on bass & Randy Jones on drums is being presented by Command Performance; 825-3131.

Aug 28: “It’s All About Opera,” St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 44 Spring St, Danbury, 7 pm, $35 adults, $30 seniors, operatic selections performed by local & internationally known opera stars, post-performance reception; 744-5918.

Aug 28: Ballroom dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $15 (singles & couples welcome), free dance lesson at 8, performance by Thomas Papkala & Frantsiska Yordonova (Poland’s nat’l ballroom champs & recent silver winners at Emerald Ball, Los Angeles), general dancing music provided by DJ Peter Collins; 203-374-7308.

Aug 29: Percussionist Svetoslav Stoyanov at Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury, 2 pm, free performance by internationally acclaimed percussionist & winner of 2003 CAG International Competition will incl works of contemporary composers for solo marimba & tapan, also Bach’s Suite #3 for unaccompanied cello (transcribed for marimba); 860-350-2181.

Aug 29: Dixieland Jazz Party 2 at The Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 4 pm, free outdoor concert by concert & recording artists Randy Sandke & Ken Peplowski, joined by noted jazz artists Bob Phillips, Murray Wall & Arti Dixon, inside library if rain; 775-6241 x104.

Aug 30: Connecticut Choral Society Sing-In, Trinity Episcopal Church, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, registration 7 pm (singing begins 7:30), $7 (includes music and refreshments), all interested choral singers invited to join CCS for Beethoven’s Mass in C and other selections; 800-555-5250.

Aug 31: The Jeff McGill Quartet at The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 7 pm, free concert will conclude Homesteads’ Free N’ Easy Summer Concert Series, light refreshments and seating provided, indoors if rain, RSVP requested; 426-8118.

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 24, Galitcha, music w/ strong north Indian footprint overlaid w/ influences of western folk & jazz; Aug 31, The RSO Brass Ensemble, favorite popular & classical selections by Gershwin, Bernstein & others.

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 22, Striders Drum Corps; Aug 29, Northeast Navy Showband, return of popular band, one of most popular in New England.

Ives Concert Park, WCSU westside campus, University Blvd, Danbury. Call 837-9226 (or TicketMaster, 744-8100).

2004 Summer Concert Series, shows 7:30 unless noted, all shows rain or shine, children’s lawn tickets $12 (ages 2 & under free/lawn), all tickets $3 higher day of show: Aug 22, Patty Loveless, opening set by Carolyn Dawn Johnson, tickets $36 & $51 reserved, $21 adult lawn.

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.

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: Aug 22, Annual Jazz BBQ & Fundraiser, 4-7 pm, tickets $25, all are invited for BBQ style foods, live music by Housatonic Dixieland Jazz Band, raffle, proceeds benefit Merryall.

Films _________________

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

Aug 20-26: De-Lovely (PG-13), daily 6:45 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4 pm; Garden State (R), daily 7:15 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:40, 2:50 & 5 pm; Intimate Strangers (R, in French w/ subtitles), daily 9:25 pm, mat Fri 5:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 5:20 pm; Maria Full of Grace (R), daily 7:25 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 5:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:50, 3 & 5:10 pm; Valentin (PG-13), daily 7:35 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 3:20 pm.

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

Aug 20-Sept 2: Shrek 2 (PG), daily 6 & 8:15 pm, mat Aug 20-31 at 12 & 3 pm, Sept 1-2 at 1 pm.

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

Through Sept 6: The Living Sea, daily 12, 2 & 4 pm.

Through Oct 7: Dolphins, daily 1 & 3 pm, also Fri-Sat 7 pm as double feature w/ Legend of Loch Lomond.

Through Oct 7: Legend of Loch Lomond, Fri-Sat 7 pm as part of double feature w/ Dolphins.

For Kids & Families _________

Aug 21: Drop-In Day at The Aldrich, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield, 12-4:30 pm, adults $7, $4 students & seniors, free ages 12 & under, families & other visitors invited to visit museum’s new education center for creative activities related to current exhibitions, reservations not needed; 203-438-4519.

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 17, 24 & 31.

Miscellaneous ___________

Aug 20-22: 39th Annual Sherman Art Show, Sherman School, Rte 37 at 39, Sherman, Fri-Sun 10 am-5:30 pm, free adm, works by 80+ exhibitors incl photography, sculpture, paintings, ceramics, wood, glass, fiber, jewelry and more, proceeds benefit Sherman Higher Education Fund; 860-357-2593.

Aug 20-22: 53rd Annual Bridgewater Country Fair, Bridgewater Fairgrounds, Rte 133, Bridgewater, Fri 4-11 pm, Sat 8 am-11 pm, Sun 8 am-7 pm, adm $6 adults ($12 3-day pass), $5 seniors (Sat & Sun only), free ages 12 & under, free parking, no pets on fairgrounds, Firemen’s Parade (Fri 6:45 pm), bandstand entertainment, vegetable-fruit-flower shows, arts & crafts, cattle display, poultry display, wool exhibits, commercial tents, special programs, food & refreshment stands, carnival midway, much more; 860-354-4730.

Aug 21: “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 21: Indoor/Outdoor Flea Market, The Church of the Good Shepherd, Racebrook Rd (at corner of Shepherd Lane), Orange, 8 am-2 pm rain or shine; 203-934-4446.

Aug 21: 2nd Annual Kent Art Assn Paint-Out & Auction, KAA Gallery, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent, 85 artists will spend morning painting or sketching new works to sell that afternoon, public auction begins at 4 pm, free adm (all bids open at $100), auction will incl the new works & 1 previously completed work from each artist, partial proceeds to benefit KAA; 860-927-3989.

Aug 25: 19th Annual Newtown Holiday Festival Kick-Off Meeting, Capellaro’s Grove, 42 Vail Rd, Bethel, 7-9 pm, open to anyone interested in learning about the festival & its myriad volunteer opportunities; 426-8103.

Aug 25: “Ancient Apothecary Medicine,” Brookfield Historical Society & Museum, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield Center, 7:30 pm, free slide presentation by Robert Young (Danbury Hist Society) on the historical significance of apothecary medicine; 740-8140.

Aug 27: CT ConTacts Singles Party at The Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, $15, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), dinner & dessert buffets, jeans not permitted; 203-468-1144.

Aug 28: Newtown Junior Women’s Club Annual Fall Mum Sale, Newtown Middle School front lawn, 11 Queen St, Newtown, 9 am-3 pm rain or shine, plants $7 each or three for $20.

Aug 28: Open Turret Day at Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, wear shows & clothing appropriate for climbing into museum’s collection of military vehicles (which are not usually open to the public), rain date Aug 29; 790-9277.

Aug 28: 42nd Annual Roxbury Congregational Church Beef BBQ, Rte317, Roxbury, 5:30-7 pm, $14 adults, $9 high school students, $5 children, free age 6 & under, full dinner incl corn on the cob, fresh cole slaw, make-your-own sundaes, also cookies; 860-355-1870.

Aug 28: Summer Star Party, WCSU Westside Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, 8:30-10:30 pm, free viewing of summer Milky Way, amateur astronomers invited to bring their telescopes, planetarium shows at 9 & 10 if rain or clouds; 837-8671, 837-8672.

Aug 29: Annual Ukrainian Festival, Paproski’s Christmas Tree Farm, 5 Hattertown Rd (off Rte 302), Newtown, Divine Liturgy at 11 am opens celebration, Ukrainian & picnic-style food, Ukrainian song & dances, hayrides, pony rides, children’s activities, live music; 426-4017.

Aug 29: “Creating Healthier Habits: Seven Steps to Cultivating Positive Behaviors,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free presentation by Teresa Stack will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

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 25, Adult Nature Walk, 8 am, approx 2-hour walk will move through sanctuary, pausing to view birds & focus on seasonal aspects of center’s history, different routes each week (walks each Wed in Aug).

Alliance Française of Northwestern CT French Literary Mornings, next program Aug 21, 10 am-noon, free & open to anyone interested in speaking and/or learning French, classic French short stories by Voltaire, Balzac, Flaubert, Beldelaire, Maupassant, et al, will be discussed, bring folding chair & bug spray (programs in barn if bad weather).

Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem. Hours: Wed, Fri-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 203-266-7596.

1754 home of Bethlehem’s first minister complemented by outbuildings, 18th C apple orchard & 1915 formal parterre garden is open for summer tours (Wed, Fri-Sun 11 am-4 pm), adm $5 adults, $2 ages 18 & under.

Special Events: Aug 28, Historic Garden Walk Series: Plant Lore, 3 pm, $5, garden curator Kristin Havill (from Beatrix Ferrand Garden, Bridgewater) will lead journey to explore plants, their histories, traditions & uses.

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: Aug 22, Annual Jazz BBQ & Fundraiser, 4-7 pm, tickets $25, all are invited for BBQ style foods, live music by Housatonic Dixieland Jazz Band, raffle, proceeds benefit Merryall.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897 or 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: new season begins Sept 4, Hudson River Drive, New York City, West Side, departure time is 8:30 am, by train from Brewster North station, bring money for train & bus, also enough food & drink for an all-day hike (leader is Gloria Bellafatto).

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.

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

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Aug 25, woodcut demo by Mike Goscinsky.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6224.

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6-8 pm (weigh-ins 6-6:45, meetings 7-8), meetings $2/week, membership $20/year.

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

Guided hikes led by volunteers Dawn Guevares & Jane Hiller, cancelled if heavy rain, registration suggested (group size limited), dress appropriately for hiking & bring light snack & water: Aug 28, 8 am, 1-hour hike; Aug 28, 9:30 am, 2½- to 3-hour hike.

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 25, award-winning writer, editor & teacher Robert Masterson.

Theatre ______________

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

Idols of The King, through Sept 26 (performances extended), curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $32.50 & $42.50, student, senior & group discounts available.

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

Where’s Charley?, through Sept 25, curtain Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed & Sun 2 pm, Sat 4 pm, tickets $22-$51 (student rush tickets available, call for info).

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

2004 SummerStage season: George Gershwin Alone, through Aug 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).

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

Light Up The Sky, Aug 27-Sept 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 19 & 25) 2 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & students, cabaret style seating (OK to bring in food & beverages, doors open one hour before show).

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

Woody Guthrie’s American Song, Aug 27-Sept 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $18 adults, $16 seniors & students.

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

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Aug 27-Sept 11, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Aug 29 & Sept 5) 2 pm, tickets $15 eves, $12 mats.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown events listed first, with additional events listed by their start time. At the time of printing, the information here is accurate as presented; a call ahead is always a good idea to be safe.

DEADLINE INFORMATION

Press releases for the Enjoy calendar of events or the Enjoy section must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to the attention of Shannon Hicks, Arts Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photos.