Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places __________________

Absolut Gallery at The Inn at Newtown, 19 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-1876.

Through Oct 31: “Both Sides Now — Life’s Illusions We Recall…” monoprints by Tony Woolner & acrylic paintings by Gayle Gleckler, married artists who share their views of a trip to Portugal, where Mr Woolner proposed to Ms Gleckler.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

In first floor display cases: *(new show) Through Sept 30: pig-related items in all shapes, sizes & forms (salt & pepper shakers, needlework, figurines, plates, ornaments, etc) from the personal collection of June Hanna.

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

Through Sept 11: “Still Crossing Lines,” drawings & paintings by Geoffrey Moss.

Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47), Washington Green; 860-868-7586.

The Stairwell Gallery: *(new show) Sept 8-Nov 10: works by portraitist, illustrator, animator & instructor Scott Bricher, who currently focuses on encaustic wax & paper lithos on wood; Sept 8, opening reception, 1-2 pm.

Kent Art Association, The Gallery at KAA, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent; 860-927-3989.

*(new show) Sept 9-Oct 14: “KAA Elected Artist Invitational,” more than 100 works by KAA Elected Artist members in oil, watercolor, pastel, graphics & sculpture; Sept 15, opening reception, 1-5 pm (awards at 3).

*(new show) Sept 9-Oct 14: “The Laura Wilk Solo Show,” works by watercolor artist who primarily creates highly detailed, representational paintings, being honored following award of solo show during 2011 KAA Elected Artist Invitational; Sept 15, opening reception, 1-5 pm.

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

Through Sept 17: “An Artist’s Journey — Fulfilling A Dream,” paintings in charcoal, oil and pastel by Jay Pinchbeck.

Peter Lawrence Gallery, 703 Kent Road/Rte 7, Gaylordsville; 203-746-5533, www.peterlawrencegallery.com.

*(new show) Sept 7-Oct 7: “Obsession,” 18-panel mega-painting based on a performance by Italian vocalist Mina Mazzini by James Napoleon, photography by David Land & new work by Newtown-based sculptor James Travers (in sculpture garden); Sept 9, opening reception, 1-5 pm.

Still River Editions, 128 East St, Danbury; 203-791-1474.

Through Sept 28: “Orientation: Selected Works by Bernard Boffi,” archival digital fine art prints based on artist’s work as a painter, and stamp prints in the manner of Rauschenberg, using postage stamps as elements like those in a still life.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot; 860-868-2878.

Through Sept 30: “60 Artists, 60 Years: A Retrospective Exhibition,” 60 works by 60 artists to chronicle WAA’s history on occasion of its 60th anniv.

Auditions, Juried Events  ________

Town Players of Newtown, The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown; 203-270-9144.

Sept 10-11: Open auditions for Hugh Janes’s The Haunting, 7:30-9:30 pm, David Bass will direct US premiere of work adapted from Dickens stories, openings for 2 men, 1 woman, all age 18+, no appt needed, readings from script, rehearsals to begin later this month, production to run Nov 9-Dec 1.

Concerts, Musical Events   ______

Sept 8: Ives Festival Orchestra at Ives Concert Park, 43 Lake Ave (WCSU westside campus), Danbury, gates open 6:30, music at 7:30, free performance of IFO, under direction of Dr Fernando Jimenez, will incl music of Broadway & movies, also Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man; 203-837-9226.

Sept 9: Boplicity at McLaughlin Vineyards, 14 Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 1-4 pm, live jazz by Newtown-based 6-member band, wine tastings available (fee), all ages welcome, no dogs or outside alcohol; 203-426-1533.

Newtown Friends of Music, at Edmond Town Hall Theatre, 45 Main St, Newtown; 203-426-6470.

Concerts 3 pm, $25, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult, reception follows performances: Sept 9, Ariel String Quartet w/ guest cellist Paul Katz, works of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Britten & Beethoven.

For Kids & Families_____________

Sept 8: EverWonderful Family Day, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-3 pm, $5 per person, hands-on science & art activities, live performances & more, to offer taste of what promoters envision for future EverWonder Children’s Museum in Newtown; 203-304-1924.

Sept 8: Children’s Art Exhibition, Bryan Memorial Town Hall, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, 1-5 pm, free, favorite works by local young artists incl detailed drawings, papier mache masks & more; 860-868-2878.

Sept 14: Friday Night Bingo, St Rose Gathering Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, doors open 5:45 pm, games to run 6:30-9:3- pm, $17 covers most games (some special games for sm addtl fee), suitable for all ages, refreshments available; 203-426-5102.

 

Miscellaneous __________________

Sept 7-9: 88th Bethlehem Fair, Bethlehem Fairgrounds, 384 Main St North/Rte 61, Bethlehem, Fri 5-11 pm, Sat 8 am-11 pm, Sun 7:30 am-5:30 pm, $8 adults, $6 seniors (Sat-Sun), free ages 12 & under, $16 weekend; 203-266-5350.

Sept 8: 5th Annual Mozart, Merlot & Mums, The Budd House (Miller residence), 50 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4-7 pm (rain date Sept 9), $25/advance, $30/door, wine tastings & catered culinary offerings, live jazz, silent auction, garden strolls, fundraiser for Kevin’s Community Center; 203-733-9186, 203-426-0496.

Sept 8-9: Annual Apple Festival, Monroe Green, Rte 111 at Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, hosted by St Peter’s Episcopal Church; 203-268-4265.

Sept 9: Western CT Hamfest, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St, Newtown, 8:30 am-12:30 pm, $6, free ages 10 & under, commercial vendors & tailgating, seminar on “Almost Everything … About Antennas,” talk-in on CARA W1QI Repeater, door prizes, refreshments, presented by Candlewood Amateur Radio Assn; 203-938-4880.

Sept 10: “Connecticut First and Foremost: Inventions & Innovations,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free, program by Robert Berthelson will celebrate well- & lesser-known inventors through state history, light refreshments, hosted by Nwtwn Historical Society; 203-426-5937.

Sept 10: “American Military Forum: The Civil War, 1862,” Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25 at Rte 133), Brookfield, 7:30 pm, free lecture by Peter Cronin will focus on events incl Second Battle of Bull Run, McClellan’s failed Peninsular Campaign, Battle at Antietam Creek, et al, light refreshments; 203-740-8140.

Sept 12: Working Women’s Forum: “When The Shift Hits The Fan: Five Steps To Getting Your Groove Back,” Villa Restaurant, 4 Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 6 pm, $20, Ann Sheybani will help women break through self-imposed limitations & embrace life, also collection for food pantry, reservations requested, cash bar; 203-740-9097.

Sept 14: Friday Night Bingo, St Rose Gathering Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, doors open 5:45 pm, games to run 6:30-9:3- pm, $17 covers most games (some special games for sm addtl fee), suitable for all ages, refreshments available; 203-426-5102.

Sept 15: Open House at Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 11 am-2 pm, hosted by Commission on Aging; 203-270-4315.

Sept 15-16: Newtown Arts Festival, Fairfield Hills campus, Primrose St, Newtown, 9 am-6 pm rain or shine, $5, free ages 12 & under, live entertainment, art workshops, artist books, dance performances & demos, coloring contest & much more; www.NewtownArtsFestival.com.

Sept 16: Pomperaug Outdoor Painters (POP) Painting Event, Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury, 9 am-4 pm, $5 sugg donation for Audubon Center day-use, artists of all levels invited to bring easels & art supplies & join POP members for painting or sketching, optional potluck to follow; 203-264-2313.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

Sept 11, Non-Fiction Book Group, 1 pm (in Antiques Room), discussion of River of Doubt by Candice Millard, newcomers welcome; Sept 12, “Caring For Old Cemeteries in Connecticut,” 7 pm, program by Ruth Shapleigh-Brown (founder & exec director, CT Gravestone Network) will cover work done by CGN & Assn for Gravestone Studies, hosted by Genealogy Club of Newtown (call 203-426-3981).

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

FILM: Sept 7-13: The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (PG-13), Fri-Sat 7 & 9:10 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Sept 8, Squantz Pond Fire Trail, New Fairfield (203-426-2072, LuAnn Cavalier); Sept 15, Mystery Hike (203-262-1727, Christa Troiani & Donna O’Brien).

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-6654.

Programs 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, free, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Sept 12, tonal landscape demo by Paul Batch.

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

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6:30-7:30 pm (weigh-ins 5:45-6:15, meetings 6:30-7:30), meetings $2/week, membership $24/year.

 

Theatre     ________________________

Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main St, East Haddam; 860-873-8668.

Through Sept 29: Carousel, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm (NOTE: Sept 29 final show 6:30 curtain), mat Sat 3 pm, Sun, Thurs 2 pm (NOTE during final week, mat also Tues 2 pm, Sat mat at 2 pm); call or go online for tickets, $15 student rush.

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

Sept 7-Oct 6: Spring Awakening, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 5 pm, $26, $25 on-stage seating, $20 students & seniors, cabaret seating; NOTE for mature audiences.

TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St, Hartford; 860-527-7838.

Through Sept 9: Tryst, call or visit website for curtain & ticket details.

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

Sept 14-Oct 6: November, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 30) 2 pm, $20; Sept 13, senior citizens preview (final dress rehearsal), 8 pm, free; Sept 20, Pay-What-You-Want night, 8 pm, name your ticket price.

Town Players of Newtown, at The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown; 203-270-9144.

Sept 7-29: The Retreat From Moscow, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 16 & 23) 2 pm, tickets $20 Fri-Sat, $15 mat, $10 ages 10 & under.

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

 EXPANDED CALENDAR ONLINE

Want to know about more regional events? Find an expanded edition of this calendar online at www.NewtownBee.com. Click on the Features tab and look for Enjoy Calendar: a regional calendar of events.