Antiques Shows______

Nov 29-30: Westport Holiday Antiques Show, Bedford Middle School, 88 North Ave, Westport, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $8, 80+ exhibitors, proceeds to benefit Staples High School student-run radio station; 203-222-2259.

Dec 4-7: 46th Antiquarius Antiques Show, Greenwich Civic Center, Old Greenwich, Thurs (preview party 6:30-9 pm, $100), Fri-Sat 11 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $15, lecture by Alexa Hampton (Fri 9:30 breakfast then lecture, $40), Holiday House Tour & Gift Boutique available, Gallery Tour available, proceeds benefit The Historical Society of the Town of Greenwich; 203-869-6899 x14.

Dec 6: Antiques & Decorative Items Holiday Gift Spectacular, All Saints Catholic School, 139 West Rocks Rd, Norwalk, 10 am-5 pm (early buying 9 am, $10), adm $6, luncheon available, partial proceeds to benefit the school; 203-222-2259.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

550 Gallery, BCM Building, 550 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem. Hours: Mon-Fri 12-4 pm. Call 203-266-6995.

*(new show) Nov 28- Jan 15, “Angels Over Bethlehem III: The Spirit of Giving – A Woodland Enchantment with St Nicholas,” traveling exhibit of an angel and figures of St Nicholas in vintage costumes; Nov 28, opening reception, 7-9:30 pm; Dec 5, gallery will be open during Bethlehem’s Christmas Town Holiday Festival, 5-10 pm.

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.

Through Jan 15, “Annual Small Works Show,” juried exhibition of new & exciting artists from across country incl contemporary & traditional art from established artists w/ watercolors, pastels & other paintings, collages, photos & original prints, all works available for purchase & can be taken home the day of purchase.

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 library’s lower meeting room: Through Nov 30, fabric collage pcs & watercolor paintings by Eleanor Loecher.

Also on main floor: Through Dec 2, 13 welded steel sculptures by local sculptor Jim Travers.

Fine Line Art Gallery, 586 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-266-0110.

*(new show) Nov 28-Dec 28, “Trudy McCron Cox: One Artist,” original pastels by the Bantam artist who continues to be inspired by the beauty of New England scenery & farm life; Nov 29, opening reception, 1-5 pm.

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

Through 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.

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.

Housatonic Art League, New Milford Railroad Station, 11 Railroad St, New Milford. Hours: Daily 12-4 pm. Call 860-355-0349.

Through Dec 1, “Juried Thanksgiving Exhibit,” juried fine arts by regional artists.

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

Through Dec 31, “Clothing & Textiles: A Celebration of The Ingenuity and Creativity of The Indigenous Peoples of North America,” clothing & textiles showing various techniques used by Native Americans across the continent incl woven wearing blankets, plains-style dresses, beaded & woven moccasins, & beaded & quill worked accessories.

Through Dec 31, “Progression Of Indigenous People’s Weaponry: Technology and Mythology,” bows, arrows, coup sticks & clubs (condensed version of exhibition previously on view).

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

Through Jan 20, “2nd Annual Holiday Lighthouse Contest,” beautiful, illuminated lighthouse models built & decorated by regional artists & crafters.

New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Hours: Tues, Thurs-Fri & Sun 12-5 pm, Wed 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm. Museum Highlights Tour offered each Sun at 2 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

*(new show) Nov 30-Jan 17, “New/Now: Walton Ford,” larger-than-life politically charged work incl meticulously rendered classic images of birds & other animals that at first appear to be Audubon-like in presentation but are commentaries on political & ecological concerns upon closer inspection; Nov 30, artist’s talk, 1:30 pm; Nov 30, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Through Dec 7, “Copley to Cassatt: Masterworks from the Terra Collection,” approx 55 paintings on loan from Terra Museum of American Art (Chicago) incl works by Cassatt, Chase, Church, Copley, Eakins, Hassam, Homer, Hopper, Phillips, Sargent, et al.

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 Dec 29, “Life-Journey Photography – A Moment in Time,” hand-colored photos by the celebrated Brookfield photographer Laurie Klein.

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) Nov 28-Dec 24, “WAA Annual Holiday Gift Sale,” show & sale of crafts & small works of art by area artists suitable for gift giving.

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 Dec 12, “Maya Boreen: Autumn Illusions,” recent oils by Ms Boreen; Nov 23, artist’s reception (public invited), 4-6 pm.

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

Through Nov 30, “William McGee: Poet of the Seen,” collection of unique works in collage & assemblage by the noted American artist.

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 Jan 11, “Traces Of India: Photography, Architecture and The Politics of Representation,” first US showing of photos & other representations of Indian architecture from British colonial era incl 19th C photos, engravings, prints, maps, rare books, postcards, posters & other artifacts offering rich cultural context for photographic images of great monuments of India; Nov 30, exhibition tour, 2 pm; Dec 4, exhibition tour, 11 am; Dec 6, exhibition tour, noon (optional YCBA introductory tour, 11 am); Dec 7, “Sounds of India,” 3 pm, free performance by students of Kalavant Center for Music & Dance (NYC).

Through Jan 11, “Company Culture: British Artists and The East India Company, 1770-1830,” complementary exhibit to ‘Traces of India’ examines role played by visual artists in late 18th & early 19th C in documenting East India Company’s imperial initiative & formulating the image of the British presence in India incl paintings, works on paper & rare books; Nov 29, exhibition tour, noon (preceded by optional YCBA introductory tour, 11 am); Dec 2, “Art in Context: Kipling’s Museum and Forster’s Caves – Representing Indian History in Fiction of the Raj,” 12:30 pm, by Yale asst prof of English William Deresiewicz; Dec 9, “Art in Context: ‘Missing Persons’ – The Implications of Empty Spaces in Indian Photography,” 12:30 pm, lecture by YUAG deputy director for programs & external affairs Anna Hammond; Dec 7, exhibition tour, 2 pm.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Bel Canto Chorus, First United Methodist Church, 250 Country Club Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-241-1888.

Through Dec 31: Auditions for new chorus of women’s voices, Sun evenings, seeks experienced singers, conductor & artistic director is Leslie Eckstein, repertoire to incl all styles & types ca 10th-21st C, call for audition appt or additional info, rehearsals will also be Sun pm (or visit www.BelCantoChorus.tripod.com).

Connecticut Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury CT 06704-0053. Call 203-584-2857.

Dec 31: Deadline to receive entries for 2003 Wallace W. Winchell Poetry Contest, send SASE for full guidelines.

Family Counseling Center Newtown Holiday Festival, Newtown. Call 364-0597.

Volunteers needed for annual festival, 11 am-5 pm (antiques & crafts shows open at 10), openings in following:

Festival Gala (**on Friday, Dec 5, in Danbury): Decorations, guest check-in, reception, cashiers.

Signs: Set-up & take-down.

Ticket sales.

House Tour: Tour guides needed.

New England Café: set-up, replenish food, bus tables, casher & clean-up openings.

Crafts Show & Antiques Show: Runners needed for set-up & break-down.

St Jude Church, 707 Monroe Tpke, Monroe. Call 261-6404.

Dec 6: Openings for vendors in Annual Christmas Fair, will be 10 am-4 pm, fees are $40 for 7-ft table, $80 for 14-ft table, call for application.

St Mary Holiday Gala, St Mary School, 24 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Bethel. Call 744-7600.

Dec 6: Spaces available for craft & art vendors for annual festival, 9 am-4 pm, call for rental fees & details.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Nov 29: Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, dancing 7 pm-midnight, adm $15 (black tie/suit dress), dance lessons at 8, performance by Erminio Stefano & Luana Conte at 9, music by DJ Peter Collinis, desserts available, singles & couples welcome; 203-374-7308.

Dec 4: Fairfield University Jazz Ensemble Winter Concert, Fairfield Univ’s Quick Center, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield, shows at 7 & 8:30 pm, tickets $8 adults, $5 students, performance by accomplished group of university students directed by Brian Torff, ensemble will be joined this year by legendary drummer Jaimoe for program of standards & original works; 203-254-4010.

Dec 5-6: “Holiday Spectacular!,” Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, Fri 7 pm, Sat 3 pm, tickets $20 adults, $10 children, Debbie Gravitte directs area residents in celebrating holiday traditions of Ridgefield from early 1700s (carolers & bells) through the millennium (lights & special effects); 203-438-5795.

Dec 5-6: “The Many Moods of Christmas,” Fairfield Univ Glee Club’s Christmas concert, Quick Center for the Arts, North Benson Rd, Fairfield, Fri 8 pm, Sat 2 pm, tickets $10 (discounts for seniors & students), mixed chorus of 120 grad & undergrad students will offer works of Chesnokov, Olatunji, Quintana, also 2 sections of Bennett & Shaw’s The Many Moods of Christmas Suite, soloists & glee club’s chamber ensembles will also perform holiday favorites; 203-254-4010.

Dec 6: Newtown Choral Society Holiday Concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, tickets $7 adults, $5 seniors & children 12 & under, Vivaldi’s Gloria, music from films by John Williams incl Home Alone & Empire of the Sun, P.D.Q. Bach’s Good King Kong Looked Out (complete w/ kazoo interlude) & caroling sing-along.

Dec 6: 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.

Dec 6: American Chamber Orchestra at Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport, 7:30 pm, tickets $20, program will incl works of Telemann & Jacchini, also selections from Handel’s Messiah, audience will be given music, guest soloist is 2001 Jenny Lind Competition winner Stephanie Gregory; 203-696-0031.

Dec 6: “Queer Eye for The Magi: Annual CGMC Holiday Concert,” WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $25 & $30, performance by CT Gay Men’s Chorus will offer traditional holiday harmony & madcap yuletide comedy “joining together on a journey to a surprising makeover”; 800-644-2462.

Dec 6: Annual Yale Camerata Advent Concert, Battell Chapel, 300 College St (at corner of Elm, opposite New Haven Green), New Haven, 8 pm, free, 60-voice group of Yale grads & undergrads directed by Marguerite L. Brooks will perform cantatas of J.S. Bach & works of Bruckner, Rachmaninov, Crabtree, revised version of Kellog’s Gloria & Willcocks’ arrangement of Goss’s See, amid the Winter’s Snow; 203-432-5180.

Dec 6: Handel’s Messiah performed by Hartford Symphony Orchestra & The Hartford Chorale, at The Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts, 160 Capitol Ave, Hartford, 8 pm, tickets $15-$57, full orchestra & 130-member chorus will be joined for annual performance of Handel’s most popular oratorio by soprano Rachel Rosales, mezzo-soprano Lorraine DiSimone, tenor Carl Johengen & bass-baritone George Cordes; 860-244-2999.

Dec 7: CT Choral Society Chamber Singers at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, 3 pm, free concert in library’s community room will conclude fall concert schedule, program to incl madrigals, spirituals, folk songs & seasonal favorites, post-performance reception; 775-6241 x104.

Dec 7: “An English Christmas” by Kent Singers, St Joseph’s chapel at Kent School, 1 Macedonia Rd, Kent, 3 pm, tickets $15/adv, $20/door, free ages 15 & under w/ adult, program to incl Sarum chant to 20th C compositions, old favorites & lesser-known masterpieces; 860-672-6261.

Dec 7: St Rose Christmas Concert, St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 4 pm, traditional concert featuring St Rose music ministries; 426-1014.

Dec 7: Trinity Choir of Men & Boys Annual Christmas Concert, Trinity Church on the Green, corner Temple St at Church St (on the green), New Haven, 3 pm, sugg donation $15 (children free), performance by world renowned choir will feature Christmas portions of Messiah, also seasonal favorites w/ guest soloists, accompanied by the period ensemble American Classical Orchestra; 203-776-2616.

Dec 7: Holiday Concert by St Stephen’s Choir & The Chamber Singers of Ridgefield, St Stephen’s Church, 351 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, free adm ($10 sugg donation), 55-voice choir will perform choruses & solos from Messiah, also works of Rutter & Biebl, 15-member singers will offer a capella selections of Poulenc, Morris & McDonald, all accompanied by a chamber orchestra; 203-438-3789.

Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-0263.

Performances 8 pm, tickets $17-$47 w/ student & group discounts: Dec 6, “A Jazzy Holiday Pops Concert,” guest pianist Butch Thompson & guest conductor Oscar Bustillo will join GBS for program of ragtime classics & holiday favorites incl nods to Kwanzaa & Hanukkah (pre-concert performance, 7 pm, by GBS harpist).

Films _________________

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

Nov 28-Dec 4: Love Actually (R), daily 7:05 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 4:05 pm; Master & Commander (PG-13), daily 6:50 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm; Pieces Of April (PG-13), daily 7:30 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri-Sat 1:25, 3:20 & 5:15 pm; The Station Agent (PG-13), daily 7:20 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm.

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

Dec 4, Frida, 7:30 pm, free.

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

Nov 26-Dec 4: Freaky Friday (PG), Wed, Fri-Thurs 7 & 9 pm, mat Fri-Sat 11 am, 1:30 & 4 pm, Sun 1 & 4 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Nov 29: The Mighty Mysterious Megapuff by CosaComica Kids Company, School of Performing Arts, 55 West St, New Milford, 11:30 am, tickets $6 (group discounts available); 860-210-1444.

Nov 29-30: Teddy Bear Tea at Festival of Trees & Traditions, Portuguese Cultural Center, Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, call for time, $15 (reservations required), proper English Tea served on fine china for children & adult friends (plus favorite teddy bears) will feature homemade goodies, live entertainment, keepsake photos & shopping opportunities for children), part of Festival of Trees & Traditions, fundraiser for Ann’s Place/The Home of I Can; 790-6568.

Dec 5: Fairfield Historical Society Holiday Open House, 636 Old Post Rd, Fairfield, 6-8 pm, free adm, hot cider & cookies will be served before, during & after town’s holiday tree lighting, children can make old-fashioned holiday craft, book signings by Frances Y. Evan (new children’s/young adult book The Forgotten Flag); 203-259-1598.

Dec 6: 4th Annual Children’s Tree Holiday Decorating Event, C.H. Booth Library courtyard (indoors if necessary), 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-noon, all children invited to make ornaments following “Winter” theme for evergreen tree donated to library by Fraser Woods Montessori School; 426-3390.

Dec 6: Fairfield Historical Society Annual Candy House Workshop, 636 Old Post Rd, Fairfield, 2-4 pm, $18/house, reservations necessary, children of all ages invited to create their own special, personalized house decorated w/ assortment of candies, all materials included; 203-259-1598.

Dec 7: “David Grover & The Big Bear Band: A Holiday Concert,” Ridgefield Playhouse for the Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 1:30 pm, tickets $15/adv, $18/door, children’s holiday concert by band that has been long a favorite w/ school-age children, proceeds will benefit Temple B’nai Chaim’s religious school (Redding) & The Gary Klinsky Children’s Centers (NY); 203-438-5795.

Dec 7: “Christmas Tree For The Birds” program, Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd (off Rte 172), Southbury, 2 pm (reservations required), suggested donation $5, families w/ elementary school-age children invited for short hike to search for natural bird foods, then string garlands of popcorn & cranberries, make colorful & edible ornaments for birds, then hang everything plus dried fruit & bagels on a tree, all for birds; 264-5098.

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: Dec 7, annual “Christmas Tree For The Birds” program, 2 pm (reservations required), suggested donation $5, families w/ elementary school-age children invited for short hike to search for natural bird foods, then string garlands of popcorn & cranberries, make colorful & edible ornaments for birds, then hang everything plus dried fruit & bagels on a tree, all for birds.

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

Free programs (unless specified): Dec 6, children’s craft workshop, 1 pm, $3 materials fee due at registration (in-person only; no phone registrations.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Dec 3, Young Adult Book Discussion, 4:30 pm, one-hour program based on Odysseus in the Serpent Maze by Jane Yolen and Robert J. Harris; Dec 10, Winter & Festive Stamp Art Workshop (new date), 4-6 pm, $5 materials fee due when registering, join Barbara Shohet to make gift bag or box, greeting cards or stationery portfolio.

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre Co., 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

Rudolph! through Dec 28, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50, group discounts available.

Miscellaneous ___________

Nov 28-30: Festival of Trees & Traditions, Portuguese Cultural Center, Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, Fri 6 pm (preview party, $50/person), Sat-Sun 10 am-6 pm, $10 adults, $5 seniors & children, free ages 5 & under, family fun w/ winter wonderland of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, hand-fashioned quilts & unique gifts, also refreshments, Teddy Bear Tea (Sat-Sun, $15, reservations required; proper English Tea served on fine china will feature homemade goodies, live entertainment, keepsake photos & shopping opportunities for children), fundraiser for Ann’s Place/The Home of I Can; 790-6568.

Nov 28-Dec 7: “Mattatuck Museum’s 13th Annual Festival of the Traditions: Past, Present and Future,” Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, adults $8, $5 ages 12 & under, ten-day extravaganza of holiday entertainment, activities for all ages, fantasy & traditional trees, Webster Bank Brass City Express, more, three floors of imaginatively decorated trees & other holiday decoratives available for purchase (www.MattatuckMuseum.org for festival schedule); 203-753-0381.

Nov 29: “Home for The Holidays: Monroe,” 1790 East Village-Barn Hill Schoolhouse, Wheeler Rd, Monroe, 10 am-3 pm, event will primarily feature Monroe-related events created by & for Monroe Historical Society (blankets, calendars, prints, etc), also a preview of society’s upcoming Christmas Fair.

Nov 29: 3rd Annual Holiday Renaissance Faire, WCSU/O’Neill Center, University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, adm $2.50, free ages 12 & under, artisans & crafters from across New England participating, visits w/ Santa & Gemme the Clown, presented by Artisans Alliance; 749-0683.

Nov 29-Dec 20: “Decking The Halls,” Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave (watch for signs from Rte 34), Derby, Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, free adm (donation accepted & will be used for museum upkeep & programs), public invited to visit homestead museum decorated w/ dozens of Christmas trees, bows, wreaths & other season decorations as prepared by local garden clubs, Twilight Tours offered Dec 5, 12 & 19 (call for time & other details); 734-2513.

Dec 3: Annual Pomperaug Woods Holiday Bazaar, Wilson Hall auditorium, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 10 am-2 pm, free adm, jewelry, chocolates/candies, cosmetics, arts & crafts, light refreshments, complementary gift-wrapping, more; 262-6555.

Dec 5: Newtown’s Annual Tree Lighting, Ram Pasture, Elm Dr at Hawley La, Newtown, 6:30 pm, lighting of town’s Christmas tree will be accompanied by caroling, visits w/ Santa & Mrs Claus, all welcome.

Dec 5: Twilight Tours of Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 4-6:30 pm, free (donated accepted, will benefit museum maintenance & programs), self-tours to experience the glow of holiday lights & decorations created & coordinated by local garden clubs following “The Nutcracker Theme,” tours also Dec 12 & 19, groups welcome w/ reservations; 734-2513.

Dec 5: Feast of St Nicholas Dinner, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 5-7:30 pm, adults $10, children $5, roast beef, chicken & vegetarian dinners available, also soft drinks & desserts, St Nicholas will be visiting around 6 pm; 743-1494.

Dec 5-6: 2nd Annual Gunn Memorial Library & Museum Festival of Trees, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47), Washington Green, Fri cocktail party 5-7 pm (adm $10/person, $15/couple), Sat 10 am-2 pm (free adm), thematic decorated trees, raffles, holiday exhibit “Under The Big Top”; 860-868-7586.

Dec 5-6: 23rd Annual Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival, Rte 61 & 132 (in & around center of town), Bethlehem, Fri 5-10 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, free adm, opening ceremony w/ lighting of tree, 75+ arts & crafts exhibitors in 7 buildings on Village Green, Annual Christmas Town Ornament, hay rides, strolling carolers, entertainment, food concessions, special postal cancellations Bethlehem Post Office will have extended hours (Sat 8 am-8 pm, Sun 8 am-5 pm), story telling w/ Mrs Claus (Fri), book signings w/ Diane Smith (Sat), special exhibits at Bellamy-Ferriday House & 550 Gallery, book sale, more; 203-266-5557.

Dec 5-6 & 13: Annual Monroe Historical Society Christmas Fair, The Old Schoolhouse, Wheeler Rd, Monroe, Fri 12-8 pm, Sat (Dec 6) 10 am-4 pm & (Dec 13) 10 am-3 pm, free adm, vintage ornaments sale, Jones Tree Farm tree raffle & silent auction for Glimpse of Old Monroe, also pottery, wood, traditional ornaments, do-it-yourself decorating supplies, baked goods, Grandma’s Attic (small vintage collectibles), more, proceeds benefit historical society; 268-5511, 261-8554.

Dec 5-7 & 12-14: Christmas Crafts Expos I & II, Connecticut Expo Center, 265 Rev Moody Overpass, Hartford, Fri 12-9 pm, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 10 am-5 pm, adm $7 adults, $6 seniors, free ages 14 & under w/ adults, different exhibitors each weekend will offer handmade American crafts, fine art, music boxes, stained glass, wooden toys, gourmet food, pottery, more, also live entertainment, refreshments; 860-653-6671.

Dec 6: Newtown Rotary Club 43rd Annual Pancake Day, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 am-1 pm, tickets $5 adults, $3 ages 10 & under, all-you-can-eat pancakes & sausage, applesauce & beverages.

Dec 6: Annual Garden Club of Newtown Greens Sale, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 9 am-1 pm, wreaths, swags, kissing balls, ropes of popcorn and cranberries, jams and jellies and more, all put together by garden club members.

Dec 6: SNAN Christmas Fair, 9 am-2 pm, Edmond Town Hall lower meeting room & old courtroom, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, tag sale, bake sale, books, raffles, crafts & Christmas items, vendors, refreshments, also book signing w/ Bernie Ryan (10 am-noon only, latest release is Tyler’s Titanic), presented by Spay & Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN); 426-5730.

Dec 6: 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.

Dec 6: Annual Christmas Shopper’s Breakfast, Trinity Episcopal Church, 91 Church St, Seymour, 8 am-noon, all-you-can-eat breakfast prepared & served by male members of congregation; 203-888-6596.

Dec 6: Hollyberry Fair, Trinity Episcopal Church, 91 Church St, Seymour, 8 am-2 pm, holiday crafts & gift items, home baked desserts, holiday decorations, fresh-picked holly, more; 203-888-6596.

Dec 6: Annual Christmas Fair, St Jude Parish, 707 Monroe Tpke, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, craft vendors, Chinese auction, quilt raffle, live wreaths, children’s room (where children can stay while parents shop), Elf’s Corner (ornaments shopping area for children), baked goods, fresh bread by The Sisters of Marian Heights, refreshments; 261-6404.

Dec 6: St Peter’s Holly Fair, Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd (opposite Monroe Green, at Rte 111), Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, crafts, Cookie Walk, Chinese Auction, baked goods, mailbox swags, Grandma’s Attic, live holly, also lunch (11:30-2:30) w/ homemade soups, homemade breads, hot dogs & soft drinks; 268-4265.

Dec 6: Harmony Grange #92 Annual Christmas Fair, Rte 110 at 111, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, arts & crafts, lunch, more; 225-9004, 268-3480.

Dec 6-7: 24th Annual New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Scty Craft Fair Holiday Boutique, Company A Firehouse, Rte 39, Sherman Center, 9 am-4 pm, holiday crafts & gift items incl designer wreaths, theme decorated table-top trees, lighted pinecone baskets, dining room table centerpieces & lg quality ornaments in Victorian, modern, county & traditional designs, also gift baskets, baked goods & gifts for pets, all proceeds will benefit animal shelter; 860-355-7287.

Dec 6-7: Annual Holiday Pottery Sale, Wooster Community Art Center, 73 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, 10 am-3 pm, fundraiser for WCAC offers ceramics created by students & faculty, also exhibition of paintings, prints & photos by students, light refreshments, proceeds will help w/ improvement & maintenance of WCAC’s clay studio; 744-4826.

Dec 6-13: 36th Annual Gingerbread Village & Christmas Bazaar, St George’s Church, Tucker Hill Rd (at Rte 188), Middlebury, Sat (Dec 6) 10 am-7 pm & Dec 13) 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-9 pm, Mon-Fri 2-4 & 7-9 pm, full village of buildings created from gingerbread, frosting & candies complemented on first Sat w/ annual bazaar, lunch available (Dec 6) 11:30-2 pm, coffee/dessert gathering (Sun only) 2-5 pm, free parking & adm all week, handicapped accessible; 203-758-9557.

Dec 7: Family Counseling Center 18th Annual Newtown Holiday Festival, on & around Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-5 pm, tickets $20/adv adults ($25/day of), $15/seniors & children ($18/day of), live music, ballet, Festival of Trees, walking tour of historic private homes, Victorian Tea Room, New England Café, arts & crafts show (opens 10 am), antiques show (opens at 10), more; 364-0597.

Dec 7: Sport Card & Memorabilia Show, Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-3 pm, adm $3 adults, 99 cents ages 10 & under, dealers from 5 states will offer sport cards, vintage cards, new sets, wax boxes, supplies, memorabilia, autographs & more; 364-1209.

Dec 7: Flanders Nature Center Annual Holiday Festival, Flanders at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, seasonal activities in nature’s surroundings incl wreath making, hayrides, kids’ crafts, visits w/ Santa & refreshments, pre-cut & cut-your-own Christmas trees also available for purchase; 203-263-3711.

Dec 7: “A Daily Meditation Practice: The Best Gift You Can Give A Loved One or Yourself,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by Mary Ellen Porrata will be followed by silent 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: Dec 7, Full Moon Walk, 8 pm, $3, reservations suggested for this popular program where a center staff member will lead a walk under bright moonlight to enjoy scenery & listen for owls; Dec 10, Adult Nature Walk, 9 am, meet at kiosk for program led by center naturalist to enjoy bright, clear air & notice details missed during warmer months, also a good time to watch for unusual vagrant birds.

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

Free public programs: Dec 2, “The Evolution of Christmas Observances in Connecticut, 1634-1960,” 7 pm, holiday slide lecture by freelance museum consultant & lecturer Lisa Broberg Quintana will examine 300 years of changes in holiday observances & celebrations, reservations encouraged.

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

Programs free unless noted: Dec 2, Non-Fiction Book Club, 1 pm, discussion of Mark Bowden’s Black Hawk Down, newcomers welcome; Dec 8, Daytime Book Club, 1 pm, discussion of Embers by Sandor Marai, newcomers welcome; Dec 9, A Child’s Christmas with Music, 7 pm, reading of Dylan Thomas’s A Child’s Christmas In Wales by the storyteller & actor Peter Loffredo will open w/ music by Duane Reilley & David Childs, light refreshments available.

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

Nov 29, Annual Storytelling Festival, 12-4 pm, adm $8 adults, $4 children (and includes museum adm), performances by musician Kenny Merrick & story teller Rebecca Stoughton.

Katherine Ordway Preserve, 165 Goodhill Rd, Weston. Call 226-4991.

Free programs, reservations required:

Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave/Rte 34, Derby. Call 734-2513.

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

Dinner programs 2nd Wed/month, $45, reservations required: upcoming program Dec 10.

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: Nov 29, Northwest Park & Nature Center, Windsow (Ester Nichols, 426-2897, 203-788-1398); Dec 6, Meckauer Park, Bethel (Ester Nichols, 426-2897, 203-788-1398.

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.

Next meeting/program: Dec 3, 1:30 pm, guest artist James Grabowski will discuss & demo landscape painting using acrylics.

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: Dec 3, Brett Axel; Dec 10, Dolores Hayden.

Theatre ______________

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

A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas, through Dec 28, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun-Thurs 7:30 pm, call for mat schedule (selected Wed, Sat & Sun).

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

*dates of performance changed: Fraulein Else, through Dec 21, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets ($30-$40 during previews) $38-$55; Dec 2, Talkback Tuesday, post-performance discussion; Dec 7, Sunday Symposium, post-matinee discussion; Dec 9, Talkback Tuesday, post-performance discussion.

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

Oscar and Felix: A New Look At The Odd Couple, through Nov 30, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50 *(note: updated telling of 1966 Broadway hit brings Oscar & Felix into 21st Century).

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

 Dirty Blonde, Dec 5-21 & 31, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun (Dec 21 only) 2 pm, tickets $15; also (Thurs) Dec 4, senior citizens’ preview, 8 pm, free; (Thurs) Dec 11, Pay-What-You-Want night, 8 pm, name your ticket price; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala Performance, 8 pm, tickets $30, full production also hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

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

Deathtrap, through Nov 29, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Nov 16 & 23) 2 pm, tickets $12 for evening shows, $10 matinees.

Wilton Playshop, Lovers La (behind congregational church), Wilton. Call 762-7629.

Camelot, through Nov 29, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 students & seniors.

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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.