Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Barn Hill Studio, Rte 110, Monroe. Hours: Sat-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 261-5578.

Through Dec 10: “2nd Annual Holiday Art Show & Sale,” original works of art, unique gifts, children’s activities.

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Wed, Fri-Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Thurs 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun 12-4:30 pm.

Call 203-331-1104.

Through Jan 7: “Celebrate The Season,” museum’s period room have been decorated (incl mannequins in period-appropriate costumes) for Christmas season in styles reflective of 19th Century & offer explanations of how holiday came to be a tradition in American society; Dec 14, gallery talks, 11 am & 6 pm, incl w/ museum adm, executive director & curator Kathleen Maher will cover how Christmas tree came to be part of American households & how Industrial Revolution impacted holiday’s festivities.

Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Wed-Sat 1-5 pm. Call 203-367-7917.

Through Dec 16: “State of the Arts,” works by 300+ artists living and/or working in Bridgeport, all genres except video & film, all 18 x 18” or smaller, to celebrate artistic community as several groups are facing increasingly difficult times, lack of support, displacement of facilities & general lack of opportunities for artists.

Boyajian Sculpture Barn, 3 Milltown Rd, New Fairfield. Hours: Wed-Sun 10 am-6 pm. Call 746-6101.

Through Dec 24: “Sculpture Barn: Holiday Collection 2006,” wrought iron & bronze candle pcs, prints & etchings, small bronze sculptures & other fine gift items all created on site.

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

Through Dec 31: “31st Annual Holiday Exhibition & Sale,” region’s largest exhibition & sale of designer quality handcrafted gifts by artists from across the country incl art jewelry & jewelry boxes, ceramics, glassware, scarves, mittens & hats, ornaments, toys, desk items, candlesticks, frames & much more.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Call 203-869-0376.

*(new show) Dec 9-July 8: “Zip, Bop and Whir: Toys of The 20th Century,” toys that roll, toys that float, toys that fly & toys for building, all which came of age in 1900s, help visitors explore story behind the evolution of 20th Century toys & the technology that makes them work

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm & most Monday holidays (call ahead). Call 203-372-3521.

*(new show) Through Dec 31: “Cool Moves: The Artistry of Motion,” 14 interactive exhibits offer a new appreciation for the beauty of motion.

*(new show) Through Dec 31: “Fun, 2, 3, 4: all about a number of things!” measuring, graphing & estimating interactives help visitors apply math to everyday activities & have fun while doing so.

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

Through Jan 5: “As Seen From Above,” 22 framed 20 x 30-inch limited edition color photos shot by Morgan Kaolian, primarily from his Cessna 172 Skyhawks (Flight 60), showing scenics & artful compositions of sights throughout the region, also collection of cameras used by Mr Kaolian during is 50+ year photo-flying career.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Wed-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through Dec 10: “Anna Held Audette: Painter of Ruins of Our Time,” recent paintings by the Connecticut artist.

*(new show) Dec 13-Jan 28: “Light & Shadow,” limited edition mezzoting prints by Carol Wax & painted wood wall sculptures by Marlene Sloan; Dec 16, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

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

Through Jan 15: “A Natural Reaction,” ceramic art by Kirsten Larsen Fredericks, showing her “creative transformation of natural forms” into unique bowls, vases & other ceramic works.

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (on the green), New Milford. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun & eves by appt. Call 860-354-3436.

Through Jan 13: “6th Annual Small Treasures Show,” annual group exhibit will feature 100+ works by many New England artists incl Scott Zuckerman, Roger Kastel, Patrick Purcell & Anda Styler along w/ new talents represented by gallery incl Ralph Della-Volpe, James Coe, Rainie Crawford, et al, similar presentation also being offered during same time frame at gallery’s Kent location.

Gregory James Gallery, 25 North Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Call 860-927-7133.

Through Jan 13: “6th Annual Small Treasures Show,” annual group exhibit will feature 100+ works by many New England artists )see details for New Milford gallery, above).

Housatonic Museum of Art/Burt Chernow Galleries at Housatonic Community College, 90 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5:30 pm (until 7 on Thurs), Sat 9 am-3 pm, Sunday 12-4 pm. Call 203-332-5000.

*(new show) Dec 8-Feb 21: sculptures recently completed by Matthias Alfen, also small survey of the artist’s early works; Dec 8, opening reception, 7:30-10 pm.

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

Through Dec 31: “Larson’s Farm Archaeological Site,” artifacts & cultural features incl hearths, post molds & tool caches from excavations done at site of major American Indian village repeatedly occupied 8,000 yrs ago on site now covered by New Milford High School.

Through Dec 31: “Fancy Baskets,” variety of fancy baskets from local collector Julie Pistol shows how basket-making among the Indian Peoples of Main changes w/ growth of tourist industry during mid-19th Century in New England incl the emergence of baskets embellished w/ handles, dyed splints & decorative weaves.

Through Dec 31: “The Language of Baskets,” celebration of creativity, ingenuity & diversity of Native Peoples of North America & the decorative techniques, styles & design elements used to create baskets, which have been part of Native American lives since pre-historic times.

Koenig Frameworks, 97 Main Street South, Newtown. Hours (holiday hours, beginning Nov 24): Mon-Fri 9 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 270-1887.

Through Dec 24: “View From The Lens,” landscape, still life & creative photographic works by Art Anderson & Wayne Chou.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Mon 12-7 pm, Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am-2 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through Dec 30: “RKP/Roxbury,” recent works by members of Road Kill Press incl Liz Dexheimer, Keith Hatcher, Helga J. Kahl, Elisabeth W. King, Susan W. Rood, Sheila Tintera & Katherine Wadsworth, group will show works in lithography, intaglio, watercolor, monotype, woodcut, collage & more.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Wed-Fri 11 am-5 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

Through Dec 31: “American Art, 1800-1950,” 180 works spanning early American landscapes to American modernism offers popular favorites alongside pcs that have not been viewed publicly in decades.

Through Dec 31: “American Splendor: Hudson River School Masterworks from the Wadsworth Atheneum,” world’s best collection of Hudson River School paintings returns home after nat’l tour before traveling to Europe, incl works of Cole, Church, Kensett, et al, all collected by Daniel Wadsworth.

Through Dec 31: “Edward Weston: A Photographer’s Love of Life,” survey exhibition of the maverick photographer’s career offers 89+ vintage palladium & gelatin silver prints, plus set of 10 Kodachrome transparencies taken in 1947, show also casts fresh look art artist’s work by highlighting relationships w/ family & friends through snapshots of Weston & family & display of his correspondence.

Walsh Art Gallery at Quick Center, Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-254-4000 x2969.

Through Dec 10: “The National Sculpture Society 2006 Annual Awards Exhibition,” 73rd annual juried traveling exhibition incl works from across the country.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Call 860-868-2878.

Through Dec 24: “Annual Holiday Sale,” unique items by fine artists & creative craftspeople from across the region, proceeds benefit WAA.

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 (Sept-June only) 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

*(new show) Dec 10-29: “Wilton Landscapes and More,” works in oil, pastels & watercolors by Tina (Ackerman) Waring, who renders what she calls “Connecticut Impressionism”; Dec 10, opening reception, 11:30 am-1 pm.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-567-3163.

Through Dec 30: “In the Garden of Sophia,” combo of traditional oil on canvas painting, digital manipulation & laminated glass technology by Hugh O’Donnell shows process used to create new series of chapel windows for room dedicated to meditation & contemplation at Wisdom House Retreat & Conference Center.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Call 203-432-2800.

Through Dec 31: “Canaletto in England: A Venetian Artist Abroad, 1746-1755,” nearly 60 paintings & drawings by the 18th Century Italian artist Giovanni Antonio Canal (“Canaletto,” 1697-1768), offers most ambitious survey ever mounted of the artist’s time in England; Dec 10, exhibition tour, 2 pm; Dec 16, exhibition tour, noon.

Through Dec 31: “Art & Music in Britain: Four Encounters, 1730-1900,” 60+ works from YCBA’s collection incl period instruments from Yale Univ’s Collection of Music & sheet music from Yale’s Beneicke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, The Lewis Walpole Library, and Sterling Music Library, also listening stations to hear relevant musical selections; Dec 9, exhibition tour, noon; Dec 12, Art in Context, 12:30 pm, program by musician Doug Yeo; Dec 14, exhibition tour, 11 am.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through Dec 31: “Private Faces of Public People, 1750-1900,” American miniatures from YUAG’s collection offers 29 portraits of leaders in politics & arts incl George & Martha Washington, Andrew Jackson, Benjamin West & Paul Revere.

Through Jan 14: “To Know The Dark: American Artists’ Visions of Night,” approx 25 works in range of media drawn primarily from gallery’s permanent collection, plus recent acquisitions, exploring the evocative period from dusk to dawn incl pcs by Robert Adams, Oscar Bluemner, Winslow Homer, Edward Hopper, Yvonne Jacquette, et al.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Connecticut Poetry Society, PO Box 270554, West Hartford CT 06127. Call 860-236-6772.

Dec 31: Entry deadline for 2006 Wallace W. Winchell Poetry Contest, entry fee $10 for 3 poems, any subject, max 40 lines, must be original & unpublished, no simultaneous submissions, visit CT-poetry-society.org for full contest & entry specifics, prizes incl $150 1st place, $100 2nd place, $50 3rd place & publication in CT River Review

 

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Through Dec 29: It Must Be Christmas, The Spinning Wheel Inn, Rte 58, Redding Ridge, daily matinee & evening performances of 3-act original musical interspersed w/ fresh cooked 4-fourse holiday meal, tickets $59.50-$79.50; 203-825-3006.

Dec 8: Naugatuck Valley Community College International Christmas concert, NVCC’s Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 8 pm, $10 suggested donation, first ever student-run Christmas concert will feature five NVCC student conductors in first public appearance, leading choir in Christmas favorites; 203-575-8049.

Dec 8-10: 40th annual production of The Nutcracker Ballet, at Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, performances Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $15 & $20, full production features music by The Nutcracker Orchestra (20 members of Danbury Symphony Orchestra), under artistic direction of Arthur Fredric, 20 major roles & all others filled by local dancers & actors, reservations strongly suggested (performances usu sell out); 748-1716 (call Danbury Music Centre, not high school).

Dec 9: CT Choral Society Candlelight Holiday Concert, First Congregational Church, 164 Deer Hill Ave, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $30, program to incl Britten’s Cantata Misericordium,, Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols, first part of Bach’s St John Passion, also shorter works of the season & traditional carols for audience, chorus & orchestra, partial ticket proceeds will benefit American Red Cross of Western CT; 206-7186.

Dec 9: Naugatuck Valley Community College Jazz Ensemble Pre-Holiday Jazz Band Bash, NVCC Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 2 pm, $10 suggested donation, Joe Jacovino will direct 25-pc ensemble through variety of big band & holiday favorites, performance will also welcome vocal soloists Daria Verelly & Katrina Volikas; 203-575-8049.

Dec 10: Yale Glee Club Messiah Sing-In, First Church of Christ, 311 Temple St (betw Chapel & Elm Sts), New Haven, 2 pm, suggested donation $5, organist Kendall Crilly will lead performance conducted by Fenno Heath, Jeffrey Douma, Marguerite Brooks & Simon Carrington w/ soloists soprano Judith Candwell, tenor Kyle Pruett, countertenor Jay Carter & basses Douglas Williams & Joshua Copeland, copies of score will be available for purchase; 203-432-4136.

Dec 10: “North Pole Idol” by CT Gay Men’s Chorus, WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 4 pm, tickets $30 & $35, holiday performance by CGMC will be a spoof of American Idol w/ “contestants” incl Santa & Mrs Claus, reindeer & other North Pole residents; 800-644-2462.

Dec 12: “Holiday Concert & Readings,” First Congregational Church meeting house, on the green/Rte 47, Washington Green, 7 pm, public invited to free performance by The Gunnery Troubadours & Gunnery Chorale of carols & songs from various sources to accompany faculty & student readings from sev religious traditions; 860-868-7334.

Dec 12: Winter Concert by The Naugatuck Valley Community College Concert Band (a/k/a The Wind Ensemble of Western Connecticut), Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 7:30 pm, $5 suggested donation, program will incl range of musical styles incl “Christmas Goes to Vegas,” also The NVCC Dancers in “That ‘70s Music” w/ themes from Jaws, Star Wars & Saturday Night Fever; 203-575-8049.

Dec 13: Hansel & Gretel, Pomperaug Woods, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 1 pm, free screening of opera featuring Hermann Prey, Brigette Fassbeander & Edita Gruberova, w/ music by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, will continue Southbury Center Center’s Afternoon at The Opera series (screenings done at Pomperaug Woods), reservations requested, refreshments follow; 262-0651, 262-6557.

Dec 13: “The Wonders of The Winter: A Musical Celebration of The Holidays,” South Britain Congregational Church, Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd, South Britain, 7:30 pm, suggested donation $5, combined performance by Alamanda Women’s Choir & Spirit Singers and Adult Choir of South Britain Cong Church will incl Rutter works, also traditional & new Hanukkah & Christmas selections, refreshments & reception to follow; 203-232-7857.

Dec 17: Elisabeth von Trapp Christmas Concert, Sacred Heart Church, 910 Main St South (at corner Rte 172), Southbury, 4 pm, tickets $20/adv, $25/door, granddaughter of Baron & Maria von Trapp, w/ cellist Erich Kory, will perform carols & original compositions, proceeds to benefit Lutheran Social Services of New England; 264-9135.

Ives Concert Hall at Western CT State University, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Dec 8, Jazz Combos concert, 8 pm, $10 adults, $5 senior citizens & non-WCSU students, award-winning composer, band leader & saxophonist Jimmy Green will join WestConn groups for holiday performance; Dec 10, “North Pole Idol” by CT Gay Men’s Chorus, 4 pm, tickets $30 & $35, holiday performance by CGMC will be a spoof of American Idol w/ “contestants” incl Santa & Mrs Claus, reindeer & other North Pole residents (call CGMC, 800-644-2462, for tickets); Dec 11, Percussion Ensemble concert, 8 pm, free performance by WCSU Percussion Ensemble will feature Lou Harrison’s violin concerto (to be performed by Prof of Music De Eric Lewis), also works of Mary Jeanne van Appledorn, Ronald Lo Presti & Lynn Glassock, also soca music by Arthur Lipner;  Dec 17, WCSU Holiday Jazz Concert, 3 pm, free, featuring performances by Frankensax, WCSU Jazz Ensemble & WCSU Jazz Orchestra, program to incl traditional Big Band jazz standards & holiday classics.

Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 268-8570.

Weekly Ballroom Dancing, Wed 7-11 pm, adm $15 (incl buffet), music provided by DJ, free dance lesson (7:15-7:45 pm), cash bar, door prizes, singles, couples & beginners all welcome.

Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Dec 9-10, Nutcracker by The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Sat 2 & 6 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students & children, guest dancer Cory Stearns (from American Ballet Theatre) as Sugar Plum Cavalier will join company for performances of traditional holiday classic (optional Sugar Plum Tea, Sat at Ridgefield Community Center, 11:30 am, tickets $45; call 203-438-5597); Dec 22, Bjorkestra, tickets $25.

 

Films _________________

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

Independent Film Festival, free, screenings 7:30 pm: Dec 12, Hawaii, Oslo.

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm & most Monday holidays (call ahead). Call 203-372-3521.

Planetarium shows: Rock on Mars! Mon-Fri 3:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1 & 3 pm, designed for ages 8 & up; Wonderful Sky, Mon-Fri 1 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, designed for ages 7 & under.

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

Dec 8-14: Little Miss Sunshine (R), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Through Dec 21: Ride Around the World, Mon-Fri 1 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, 1 & 3 pm; also double feature w/ Ocean Wonderland, Fri-Sun 7 pm.

Through Dec 21 (film continues until April, schedule will be updated): Ocean Wonderland, Mon-Fri 12 & 2 pm, Sat-Sun 12, 2 & 4 pm; also double feature w/ Ride Around the World, Fri-Sun 7 pm.

Through Dec 21: Mysteries of Egypt, Mon-Fri 11 am.

Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St, New Haven. Call 203-432-8842.

Art & Music Film Series, free screenings: Dec 16, Night Mail (1936) at 2 pm, Instruments of the Orchestra (1946) at 2:30 & Coal Face (1935) at 3; Dec 17, A Christmas Carol (1935) at 12:30 pm & Things To Come (1936) at 2:30.

For Kids & Families _________

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Dec 9, Build Your Own Gingerbread House, 2 pm, $3 materials fee due at registration (must be done in person), ages 3 & up invited for annual one-hour workshop.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Dec 10, 4th Annual Young Writers’ Salon, 3 pm, showcase of young writers in grades 6-10 who will share their original stories & poems; Dec 13, YA BookTalk, 4 pm, one-hour discussion for readers in grades 5 & up will cover Kenneth Oppel’s Airborn.

Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and The Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Dec 9-10, Nutcracker by The Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, Sat 2 & 6 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students & children, guest dancer Cory Stearns (from American Ballet Theatre) as Sugar Plum Cavalier will join company for performances of traditional holiday classic (optional Sugar Plum Tea, Sat at Ridgefield Community Center, 11:30 am, tickets $45; call 203-438-5597).

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Dec 24: Alpaca Owners’ Open Farm Days, The Alpaca Connection Farm, 132 Orchard Ave, Woodbury, Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm, free, all ages invited to farm to meet alpacas of many colors & ages incl many newborns, also farm store w/ clothing; 203-266-9002.

Through Dec 31: “31st Annual Holiday Exhibition & Sale,” Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, region’s largest exhibition & sale of designer quality handcrafted gifts by artists from across the country incl art jewelry & jewelry boxes, ceramics, glassware, scarves, mittens & hats, ornaments, toys, desk items, candlesticks, frames & much more; 775-4526.

Dec 9: 10th Annual Cookie Event, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 9:30 am-noon, homemade cookies & fudge all $8/pound, shoppers create their own selection; 743-1494, 748-2089.

Dec 9: Holiday Celebration Ball, Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Road, Danbury, buffet dinner 6:30 pm, tickets $35 (cash bar), performance by cabaret singers backed by professional 6-pc orchestra at 8:30, then dancing for rest of evening; 470-7528.

Dec 10: Newtown Holiday Craft Festival, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-5 pm, free adm, featuring many area crafters; 261-2414.

Dec 10: “The Perfect You,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free presentation by yoga center teacher Tully Moss will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & informal tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Dec 11: “The Nuclear Dilemma: History, Facts & Issues for Today,” Western CT State University Science Building (Room 219), Osborne St at Roach Ave (midtown campus), Danbury, 7:30 pm, free lecture by Prof of Chemistry Dr Russ Selzer will survey history of scientific weapons, also the present state of gl0obal nuclear proliferation, lecture continues “Science at Night” series meant to advance scientific understanding by students & general public; 837-9365, 837-8773.

Dec 12: BNI/Brookfield chapter breakfast meeting, Franco’s Ristorante, 265 Federal Rd, Brookfield, 7-8:30 am, visitors welcome, presentation on life, casualty & family insurance by Daniel Lucente (Farm Family Insurance); 794-1114.

Dec 13: Genealogy Club of Newtown meeting, C.H. Booth Library meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, free, presentation by professional genealogist Sandy Slifka on utilizing land records to further genealogical research; 426-3889.

Dec 16: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Western CT State Univ Westside Observatory & Planetarium, Lake Ave Ext, Danbury, 5 pm, planetarium show Winter Wonders will be followed by viewings of Neptune, Uranus, Pleiades star cluster, Irion & winter Milky Way (6-8 pm), free; 837-8672.

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

Programs free unless noted: Dec 11, book discussion, 1 pm, The Blue Bedspread by Raj Kamal Jha; Dec 13, Genealogy Club of Newtown meeting, 7 pm, presentation by professional genealogist Sandy Slifka on utilizing land records to further genealogical research (call 426-3889 for info); Dec 14, Local Author Talk: Justin Scott, 7:30 pm, Newtown resident will discuss his newest Ben Abbott mystery, McMansion, w/ special guest Brigette Sorensen (who did artwork for book’s cover).

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

Through Dec 17, Native American Craft Show & Sale, Sat 11 am0-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, showcase of works by Native artisans Jeff Kalin (Cherokee), Kanus Us (Mohawk-Shinnecock), Jean Kent (Abenaki) & Dale Carson (Abenaki).

Dec 9, Artifact ID Day, 10 am-4 pm, visitors invited to bring in artifacts from personal collection for identification & discussion w/ Dr Lucianne Lavinm IAIS director of research & collections (limit 8 artifacts/person).

New Morning Natural & Organic, Middle Quarter Mall, 738 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-263-4868.

Dec 9, author appearance & book signing, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, Doug Green will sign copies of his new book, Reiki-Yoga; Dec 14, “De-Stressing Naturally,” 5:30-6:30 pm, free presentation by New Morning’s practicing clinical nutritionist & registered herbalist Alison Birks will cover specific tools using herbs, nutrition, aromatherapy & lifestyle that can be use to de-stress just in time for the holidays; Dec 16, “Art-Ful De-Stressing,” 10:30 am-noon, free presentation by artist, facilitator, educator & spiritual guide Pamela Hochstetter (Inner Art) will offer supportive new tools to de-stress by painting expressively, medtating & reflecting on creative & spiritual processes.

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

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9:30 am (later start during winter season), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Dec 9, short hike at Veterans Memorial Park, Bridgeport, then Discovery Museum (adm fee $8.50 adults, $7 seniors, leader Rita Qubick, 268-4119); Dec 16, short hike followed by pot luck lunch (call Maureen Markelon for food coordination and directions, 203-888-3113; call Tim Hanbury for hike info, 203-888-3025).

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.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9:30 & tickets $15 unless noted: Dec 9, Teddy Smith headlining, opening set by Rick Roberts & second act TBA, pre-show buffet available; Dec 16, John McClellen headlining, opening sets by Kerri Louise & second act TBA, pre-show buffet available; Dec 23, Mike Eagan headlining, opening sets by Bill Keller & Joe Currie, pre-show buffet available; Dec 31, Laugh-In 2007 w/ Quentin Heggs headlining, opening sets by Mike Siscoe & Bob Dibuono, showtime 10 pm, tickets $34.95 incl dancing after show, party favors & balloon drop, champagne toast (dinner option also available, $54.95 total, seatings 8, 8:15 & 8:30 pm).

Wednesday Night Poetry, at Molten Java, 102 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 739-0313 (Molten Java).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 requested if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: Dec 13, Dana Sonnenschein; Dec 20, 2nd Annual Grinch Nite, sharing of fractured Christmas carol lyrics, lines from Dr Seuss’s Grinch, Dickens’s Christmas Carol or something else for holiday season.

Theatre ______________

Dec 14-16: Amahl and The Night Visitors by Western CT State University Opera Ensemble, Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, Thurs-Fri 10 am, also Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $5 adults (daytime shows, reservations required), $12 adults, $8 seniors &  $5 ages 12 & under (evening shows), colorful fast-moving opera penned by Gian Carlo Menotti will have 12th annual staging this season, suitable for all ages; 837-8486.

Through Dec 29: It Must Be Christmas, The Spinning Wheel Inn, Rte 58, Redding Ridge, daily matinee & evening performances of 3-act original musical interspersed w/ fresh cooked 4-fourse holiday meal, tickets $59.50-$79.50; 203-825-3006.

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

The Pirates of Penzance, through Dec 17 (show extended), curtain Fri 8, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm; final week: Dec 15 7:30 pm; Dec 16, 2 & 6:30 pm; Dec 17, 1 & 5:30 pm.

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

Pump Boys and Dinettes, through Dec 16, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $24 adults, $20 students & seniors, cabaret seating, doors open one hour before performance, BYO snacks (snacks also available at theater).

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

The Lying Kind, through Dec 31, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 10 & 17) 2 pm, tickets $17.50; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve gala performance, curtain 8 pm, tickets $35, performance, hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items 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, Associate Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 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 photo files.