Antiques Shows______

Oct 3-5: Washington Antiques Show, Bryan Town Hall, Rte 47, Washington Depot, opening benefit cocktail reception Fri 6:30-9 pm (tickets $100 & up, incl tour of show & readmission all weekend), show hours Sat 10 am-6 pm (pre-show walking tour w/ designer Albert Hadley, $25), Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $10, 23 dealers, lectures all weekend (guest speakers, $25/lecture), proceeds benefit Gunn Memorial Library; 212-223-0306.

Oct 4: 28th Annual Redding Antiques Fair, Lonetown Farm Museum, Lonetown Rd/Rte 107, Redding, 10 am-4 pm (rain date Oct 5), adm $5, free parking, Colonial crafts demos, proceeds benefit Redding Hist Society; 203-438-8586.

Oct 4-5: 22nd Annual Glass Show & Sale: Glass From The Depression Era and Other Periods, Southington High School. 720 Pleasant St, Southington, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $4.50, benefits The National Cambridge Museum; 860-529-1577, 860-673-4088.

Oct 5: 36th Easton Lions Club Fall Antiques & Arts Show, Helen Keller Middle School, Sport Hill Rd/Rte 59, Easton, 10 am-4 pm (early buying 8:30 am, $10), adm $4; 203-374-2324.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Beaux Arts Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: M-F 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-263-3939.

*(new show) Oct 3-Nov 15, works by California-based artists James Robie (Los Angeles-based photographer using digital media showing flowers & grasses in various stages of life & decay) & Durwood Zedd (San Francisco-based designer w/ large format photos of Parisian locales & architecture); Oct 11, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

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 meeting room: *(new show) Oct 3-24, works by Newtown-based Gisela spanning artist’s 25-year career w/ pcs in graphite, oil, pen & ink, marker & pastels; Oct 12, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

On library’s main floor: Through Oct 15, country-style painting on metal, wood & other mediums by members of The Charter Oak Chapter of Historical Society of Early American Decoration.

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

Through Oct 12, “Transcending Process: Contemporary Fiber,” group exhibition developed by guest curator & prominent fiber artist Norma Minkowitz featuring work of 13 artists who embody “a vision of art unified by process, but freed from the traditional use of materials,” works by Carol Beadle, Jerry Bleem, Lia Cook, Olga DeAmaral, Pat Hickman, Kiyomi Iwata, Ferne Jacobs, Tracy Krumm, Jane Lackey, Joan Livingstone, John McQueen, Rebecca Medel & Margo Mensing.

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

Through Sept 30, “Solo Exposure,” works by Sherri Baxter.

*(new show) Through Oct 28, “Special Vision,” recent works by Newtown painter Carol Reilley; Oct 11, opening reception, 2-6 pm.

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

Through Oct 13, recent paintings by Frederick Velardi, who observes that color & shape are his primary subject matter.

*(new show) Oct 15-Dec 1, “Postures of Yoga,” new collection of 30± paintings (oils & gouache on paper) by the French artist Frederic Monnet exploring the physical discipline & spiritually of yoga; Oct 19, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

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.

Highstead Arboretum, 127 Lonetown Rd, Redding. Hours: Mon-Fri by appt. Call 938-8809.

Through Oct 31, “a brush with destiny: paintings by Manabu Saito,” botanical art by the international known artist.

Jeffrey Weiss Gallery, 2938 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Thurs-Sun 12-5 pm & by appt. Call 203-333-7733.

Through Oct 10, “The Medium Is Not The Message,” unique contemporary wood sculpture by master woodworker Christopher Cantwell.

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

*(new show) Oct 4-Sept 7, “Microbes: Invisible Invaders, Amazing Allies,” interactive journey through hidden world of bacteria, viruses & other germs.

Paris-New York-Kent Gallery, Kent Station Square, Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-927-4152.

Through Oct 12, “Guilleux and Nouveau Guilleux,” recent paintings by Herve Guilleux.

Railroad Station Gallery, 11 Railroad St, New Milford. Hours: Fri-Mon 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-354-8433.

*(new show) Oct 10-13, “A Painter’s View: Rosemary Connor,” recent paintings by New Milford-based painter (& member, National Arts Club) Rosemary Connor; Oct 10, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

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

*(new show) Oct 5-Nov 5, “The 26th Annual Ridgefield Guild of Artists’ Juried Art Exhibition,” annual event offers entries by artists from New England region selected by this year’s juror, Lisa P. Streitfeld; Oct 5, opening reception & awards ceremony, 2-5 pm, live music by Dr Douglas Moe (classical guitar).

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center/Rte 39, Sherman. Hours: Tues-Wed, Fri 11 am-6 pm, Thurs 11 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-354-2455.

Through Oct 31, “Slip Trails: The Pottery of Paula Sibrack Marian,” works by professional potter whose work has been featured in magazines, ceramics web sites, galleries & shops in a dozen states; Oct 12, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

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

Through Oct 5, “Hooking: Folk Art To Fiber Art,” 21 hooked rugs drawn from museum collections & private lenders (incl award-winning rug artist Liz Alpert Fay of Sandy Hook), meant to complement Nutting exhibitions.

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) Oct 4-31, “Serial Thinking: The Zeuxis Group,” touring exhibition by members of 21-artist group offering presentation of multiple images of an object or type of object in a single canvas or series of canvasses; Oct 4, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

WCSU Warner Hall Gallery, 181 White St, Danbury. Call 837-8466.

*(new show) Oct 14-Nov 16, “Annual WestConn Alumni Art Show,” works by Nancy White Cassidy, Carolyn Curie, Joe DiGuiseppi, Marsha Doran, Jessica Espinel, Viviana Espinosa, John Kane, Ival Stratford Kovner, Beau Marsh & Nancy Sweeney; Oct 14, opening reception, 6:30 pm.

The Westover School, Rte 188/on the Green, Middlebury. Call 203-577-4565.

Through Oct 18, “The Intimate Print,” work by 26 printmakers (members The Printmakers Network of Southern New England) in which technique of chine colle (“China glue”) is incorporated into each work, pcs also incorporate lithography, collography, intaglio, woodcutting, Xerox transfer, screenprinting & linoleum cutting.

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

*(new show) Oct 5-Nov 30, “William McGee: Poet of the Seen,” collection of unique works in collage & assemblage by the noted American artist; Oct 19, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury. Call 748-1716.

Oct 18: Auditions for The Nutcracker Ballet, 9 am, singers in grades 3-12 needed to fill Snowflake Chorus for annual production, full production will be Dec 12-14 at Danbury High School, call for details.

Oct 20: Applications must be postmarked for 2nd Annual Concerto Competition, open to student musicians within greater Danbury, up to senior year of high school by Sept, open to performers of all orchestral instruments, also piano & voice, winner will earn solo performance during Feb 2004 Danbury Symphony Orchestra concert, contact Nancy Sudik at music center for details.

Telebration! at Ridgefield Theater Barn, PO Box 59, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850.

Oct 25: Deadline to receive tapes from readers interested in participating in Telebration! event, will be presented Nov 22 at 10 am, tapes will not be returned, send to address above, call for additional info.

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

Oct 13-14: Auditions for Claudia Shear’s Dirty Blonde, 7-9 pm, 2 men & 1 woman of varying ages needed, arrive prepared w/ 16 bars to show range, power & confidence, accompanist provided, be prepared to learn movement & read from script, visit www.TheatreWorks.us for character breakdowns.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Oct 3: Celtic Coffeehouse, Newtown Congregational Church House, 41-A Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-9 pm, adults $10, free ages 14 & under, performance by Deirdre & Sean Murtha featuring Celtic instruments & music from around the world; 860-350-5815.

Oct 4: 8th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Invitational, Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, begins 6 pm, tickets $7 adults, $5 seniors & students, performance by host team NHS Marching Nighthawks, competition expected between high school bands from Brookfield, Central, Danbury, Jonathan Law, Mahopac, Masuk, New Milford & Oneonta, food/refreshments available; 270-7869.

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

Oct 4: Dee Dee Bridgewater at Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $25-$35, first concert of season sponsored by Command Performance will feature jazz singer touring to support her release Dear Ella; 825-3131.

Oct 5: “bolling You Over,” St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 4 pm, donation $10, concert featuring the suites of composer and pianist Claude Bolling will be performed by St Rose Music Ministry with members of WCSU music faculty, proceeds benefit St Rose Choir 2005 Music Pilgrimage; 426-1014.

Oct 11: Concert Pianist Ophelia Handberry & Her Contemporary Eclectic Orchestra at Ives Concert Hall (WCSU White Hall), 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, tickets $20 adults, $10 children, performance by award-winning concert pianist & her band (featuring Jotan Afanador, world’s fastest drummer) featuring Latin-jazz & classical original music, reception follows performance, canned/non-perishables drive will run in lobby to benefit local hospitality organization; 748-5131.

Oct 12: Philharmonia Virtuosi at WCSU’s White Hall/Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, tickets $32 (good for full DCA season), founder & conductor Richard Kapp will lead guest violist & viola d’amore performer Mela Tenenbaum and full orchestra in program of Vivaldi, Mozart, Elger, et al, season-opening concert for Danbury Concert Assn; 748-0522.

Oct 12: The Woodland Scholars at St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington Green, 4 pm, tickets $15, 18-member vocal ensemble directed by Larry Allen will open St John’s 2003-04 series; 860-868-2527.

Ives Concert Hall at WCSU, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Oct 12, Philharmonia Virtuosi, 3 pm, tickets $32 (good for full DCA season), season-opening concert for Danbury Concert Assn will feature works of Vivaldi, Mozart, Elgar, et al.

Newtown Friends of Music, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $15, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: Oct 5, Mariko Anraku & Friends, Metropolitan Opera & Avalon String Quartet harpist will be joined by friends for afternoon of chamber music selections to be narrated by guest Broadway actor in opening concert of 2003-04 season.

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010, 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396).

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Oct 4, The Bacon Brothers, $25-$35.

Films _________________

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

Oct 3-9: Casa De Los Babies (R), daily 7:25 & 9:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20, 3:20 & 5:20 pm; Lost In Translation (R), daily 7:10 & 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 12:50, 2:55 & 5 pm; Mambo Italiano (R), daily 7:35 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30, 3:30 & 5:30 pm; Under The Tuscan Sun (PG-13), daily 6:50 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 4 pm.

Sunday Classic with Dr Lowry, 10:30 am, $10 incl film, pre-screening info & post-screening discussion:

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

Oct 9, screening of Frida, 7:30 pm, free.

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

Oct 3-9: Spy Kids 3-D: Game Over (PG), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Mon 11 am, 1:30 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Oct 18: Head O’Meadow Fall Fair, Head O’Meadow Elementary School, 94 Boggs Hill Rd, Newtown, 11 am-4 pm, fun for all ages incl games, crafts, refreshments, raffle, cake walk, pumpkin decorating, balloon animals, face painting, kids’ rock climbing wall & obstacle course, dunking booth, more; 426-8613.

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

Free programs (unless specified): Oct 5, Magic School Bus program, 1 pm, author Joanna Cole & illustrator Bruce Degen will return to library to talk about their new release Ms Frizzle’s Adventures: Medieval Castle.

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

Zoo adm is $7 adults, $5 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, programs included w/ adm: Oct 12-18, Wolf Awareness Week, 9 am-4 pm, learn about wolves incl zoo’s 3 species (timber wolves, endangered red wolves & endangered maned wolves).

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

Polka Dot Kids Theatre Series, monthly series w/ guest performers, shows at 10 am & noon, tickets $12, series tickets & group discounts available: Oct 25, Rumplestiltskin, presented by Yates Musical Theatre.

Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

2003-04 Saturday Series For Children, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15 (series discounts available): Oct 11, Shangri-la Chinese Acrobats, 11 am (no afternoon show), tickets $15 & $25, performance by group that’s multi-faceted, multi-cultural & dazzling as they perform comedic, artful Chinese acrobatic tradition.

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

Children’s Story Hour series w/ Joyce Marie Rayno, 11 am-noon, free: Oct 7, program outdoors at park’s gazebo, cancelled if rain; Oct 14, story time in mansion’s library.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Oct 6: Friends of Brookfield Library Annual October Book Sale, Brookfield Library community room, 185 Whisconier Rd, Brookfield, Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm (adm $10 Thurs only), Sun 12-4 pm, Mon 11 am-3 pm, adult & children’s books, CDs, audio, video tapes, more; 775-6241.

Oct 3: 3rd Annual Wine & Tapas Party, Tarrywile Mansion, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury, 7-10 pm, tickets $65, evening of Spanish & South American vintage wine tastings & appetizers, live music by Ophelia, proceeds to benefit The Hispanic Center of Danbury; 798-2855.

Oct 4: 10th Annual Great American Health Fair, 10 am-2 pm, Newtown Middle School, Queen Street, free admission, local organizations will offer exhibits and information on “My Favorite Healthy Habit’ theme, contests/raffles, more.

Oct 4: 2nd Annual Blessing of The Animals, St John’s Episcopal Church, 5 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, all furry, feathered & finned friends welcome; 426-9938.

Oct 4: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner incl salad, desserts, and soft drinks/coffee raises funds each month for church, all welcome, coffee house/musical event follows (see details under Concerts); 426-0617.

Oct 4: 8th Annual Joseph P. Grasso Invitational, Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, begins 6 pm, tickets $7 adults, $5 seniors & students, performance by host team NHS Marching Nighthawks, competition expected between high school bands from Brookfield, Central, Danbury, Jonathan Law, Mahopac, Masuk, New Milford & Oneonta, food/refreshments available; 270-7869.

Oct 4: Viktory For Kids Charity Skating Gala, Danbury Ice Arena, One Independence Way, Danbury, 7 pm, tickets $100-$150, performances by skating’s brightest stars incl Viktor Petrenko (host & creator of event), Brian Boitano, Ilya Kulik, Evgeni Plushenko, pairs teams Oksana Kazakova & Artur Dmitriev and Naomi Lang & Peter Tchernyshev, & others, followed by VIP fundraising reception & auction at Colorado Brewery (tickets $250 for performance & reception); 794-1704, 860-652-0458.

Oct 5: 1st Annual Bridal Boutique & Show, The Inn at Newtown, 19 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-2 pm, tours of inn, representatives of inn’s sister restaurants, vendor booths, strolling fashion show; 270-1876.

Oct 5: 23rd Annual Flanders Nature Center Fall Festival, Flanders Rd at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $6 adults, $3 ages 6-12, free ages 5 & under, live music, storytelling, arts & crafts, hay rides, kids’ games, hikes for all levels, more; 203-263-3711.

Oct 6: WCSU Telescope Viewing, Westside Observatory, WCSU westside campus, University Blvd (off Lake Ave Ext), Danbury, 7-9 pm, free, public invited to viewing of nearly full Moon as it passes close to Mars; 837-8672.

Oct 7: Sandy Hook Organic Farmer’s Market, parking area between St John’s Church and The Villa Restaurant, Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 9 am-1 pm, locally-grown organic fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, breads, coffee, sandwich café, also pony rides, live entertainment, weekly (Tues) until Oct 21; 426-9938, 270-1820.

Oct 7: WCSU Art Slide Lecture: Illustrator James Warhola, WCSU White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am, free public program by the illustrator is part of WCSU’s ongoing MFA slide lecture series; 837-8410.

Oct 8: “The Salvadoran Reality: Sweatshops and The Coming of the Central American Free Trade Agreement,” WCSU Student Center Theater, 181 White St, Danbury, 5-7 pm, free public lecture & photo essay by WCSU asst social professor Dr Carina Bandhauer, recently returned from El Salvador, will report on continued research between connections of El Salvador & the US; 837-8650.

Oct 10: The Shangri-la Chinese Acrobats at Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 7:30 pm (also children’s/family performance Oct 11, 11 am), tickets $20 & $25, “daring w/ brilliance & comedic w/ artful expression in Chinese acrobatic tradition”; 203-438-5795.

Oct 11: WCSU Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Westside Observatory, WCSU westside campus, University Blvd (off Lake Ave Ext), Danbury, 7 pm show, then open viewing of planets & stars 8-10 pm, free, public invited to viewing of nearly full Moon as it passes close to Mars; 837-8672.

Oct 11-12: Annual Gunn Memorial Library Book Sale, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47), Washington Green, Sat 10 am-4 pm (early buying 9 am, $15), Sun 11 am-3 pm, free adm, 20,000± hardcovers, paperbacks & rare books; 860-868-7586. Oct 11-13: Annual Friends of Danbury Library Book Sale, at Police Activities League (PAL) Building, 35 Hayestown Ave, Danbury, Sat 9 am-4 pm (early buying 8 am, $10), Sun 10 am-4 pm, Mon 9 am-1 pm, books, videos, books on tape, CDs & records; 796-8061.

Oct 14: Sandy Hook Organic Farmer’s Market, parking area between St John’s Church and The Villa Restaurant, Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 9 am-1 pm, locally-grown organic fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, breads, coffee, sandwich café, also pony rides, live entertainment, weekly (Tues) until Oct 21; 426-9938, 270-1820.

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: Oct 7, Introduction to Audubon Center Hike, 9:30 am, leisurely hike along river to center’s barn, learn about center’s programs & projects (hike repeats Oct 14); Oct 8, Adult Nature Walk, 9 am, suggested donation $5, one of center’s naturalists will lead hike along one of sanctuary’s trails, bring binoculars if possible; Oct 9, “The Birds of Panama,” social time begins 6:30 pm, program 7 pm, $5 suggested donation, slide program by photographer Sam Fried covering trips to Panama & many of its species; Oct 14, Introduction to Audubon Center Hike.

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

Free public programs: Oct 14, book discussion on Jane Austen’s Persuasion, 7 pm.

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

Programs free unless noted: Oct 3, “Broadway and Beyond,” 7 pm, performance presentation by actress Carole Schweid will offer inside story of Oklahoma! & bring the world of choreographer Agness DeMille to life, reservations requested; Oct 7, discussion of Doris Kearns’s Wait ‘Til Next Year, 1 pm; Oct 7, “Interviewing To Get Results,” 7 pm, interactive workshop led by Wayne Schmidt will offer interviewing strategies through different styles of role play & constructive feedback, reservations requested; Oct 9, screening of Frida, 7:30 pm; Oct 12, opening reception for Gisela’s art exhibition, 2-4 pm (works by Newtown artist will remain on view to Oct 24); Oct 13, discussion of Michael Ondaatje’s Anil’s Ghost, 1 pm.

CityCenter Farmer’s Market, CityCenter Green, Patriot Dr & Ives St, Danbury. Call 792-1711.Every Thurs thru mid-Oct. Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897, 270-4340.

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome, bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Oct 4, Appalachian Trail from Cornwall (Rita Qubick, 268-4119); Oct 11, Minnewaska, N.Y., all day hike w/ optional dinner following (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025).

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 Oct 3.

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 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Oct 7, watercolor character study by Pat Billeci.

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

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

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, 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: Oct 8, Elizabeth Cleary; Oct 15, James Navé; Oct 22, Claire Robson.

Theatre ______________

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

Meshuggah-Nuns! through Oct 19, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $34-$42, senior discounts ($25, 5:30 shows), group & rush discounts also available.

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

Broadway Moments, Oct 10-19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $20 adults, $17 seniros, group rates available.

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

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, Oct 10-Dec 14, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, call for ticket prices.

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

8 By Tenn: 2 evening retrospective of Tennessee Williams one-acts, through Nov 2, call for schedule of “Rose” (The Palooka, Portrait of a Madonna, The One Exception & New the Cats with Jewelled Claws) and “Blue” (The Lady of Larkspur Lotion, Something Unspoken, The Chalky White Substance & The Gnädiges Fräulein) performances (2 diff programs), curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun-Thurs 7:30 pm, call for mat schedule (selected Wed, Sat & Sun), tickets $20-$60.

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

Mainstage: The Syringa Tree, through Oct 19, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets ($30-$40 during previews) $38-$55; Oct 5, post-matinee symposium; Oct 7, Talkback Tues; Oct 11, audio described matinee; Oct 14, Talkback Tuesday.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

Sylvia, through Nov 2, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$35, season subscriptions & group rates available.

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

Swingtime Canteen, through Oct 19, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50.

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

The Petrified Forest, (***opening night rescheduled from Oct 3) Oct 10-25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $13 seniors & students; Oct 9, senior citizens’ preview, 8 pm, free.

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

The Lonesome West, through Oct 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Oct 12 only) 2 pm, tickets $15; (Thurs) Oct 2, Pay-What-You-Can Performance, name your ticket price.

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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 prints; please call for details concerning photo files to be emailed.