Art Exhibits ____________________________

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport; 203-331-1104.

Through Jan 2: “Celebrating the Spirit of P.T. Barnum — Energy, Vitality, Balance,” cirque themed creations by CT-based artist (& periodontist) David Millen.

Through January 9: “Celebrate the Season,” one gallery decorated w/ lg glorious Victorian Christmas tree in celebration of the holidays; Dec 16, gallery talk, 2 pm.

The Behnke Doherty Gallery, 6 Green Hill, Washington Depot; 860-868-1655.

Through Dec 19: “Light’s Subtle Touch: The Changing Seasons of the Litchfield Hills — Landscape Paintings by Tom Yost,” new paintings by Mr Yost, whose works has its deepest roots in Hudson River School, also wooden bowls of John Talbot, shorebird & duck decoys by Mark McNair.

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

In first floor display cases: Through Dec 17: Hanukkah menorahs owned by members of The Greater Newtown-Danbury chapter of Hadassah.

Outside Children’s Department (display cases): Through Dec 31: handmade Santa Claus figures by the late Irene Thacker.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton; 203-261-0134.

Through Dec 17: “Easton Arts Council’s Annual Juried Photography Exhibit,” 59 works depicting the scenic beauty of Easton.

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

Through Dec 31: “Navajo Sandpainting,” reproductions of sand paintings that had been created for a spiritual healing ceremony.

Koenig FrameWorks, 97 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-1887.

Through Dec 24: “Scapes,” collection of photo landscapes, seascapes & cityscapes taken around the world by photographers near & far.

Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury; 203-753-0381.

*(new show) Dec 18-March 25: “Suburban Dreams: Middlebury in the 20th Century,” survey of historic sites & buildings in Middlebury combined w/ links between industrial leaders of Naugatuck Valley & growth of Middlebury from farm town into Valley suburb; Dec 18, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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

*(new show) Through Jan 10: raku pottery by Eva St John & oil paintings by Kezia Hearn.

Osborne Homestead Museum at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby; 203-734-2513.

Through Dec 19: “Treasured Holiday Traditions,” learn the origin of many favorite holiday traditions while touring mansion lavishly decorated for the holidays by 7 local garden clubs; Dec 10 & 17, Twilight Tours, 4-6:30 pm, candle-lit tours led by docents, donations accepted.

Savage Studio, 93 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury; 203-743-3000.

Through Dec 24: “Holiday Show,” new works by ceramic artist Phyllis Savage.

Concerts, Musical Events       ______________

Dec 10-12: Danbury Music Centre’s Nutcracker Ballet at Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $15-$25 must be purchased in advance at Danbury Music Centre (256 Main St, Danbury; no tickets sold at door), music by Danbury Symphony Orchestra, 240 regional dancers in professionally quality production presented since 1967; 203-748-1716.

Dec 11: Newtown Choral Society Winter Concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, $10, $8 seniors & ages 12 & under, featuring A Child’s Christmas in Wales, seasonal selections; 203-426-3769.

Dec 11: “Christmas Tree-O: A Holiday Concert,” St Andrew’s Church, 1 North Main St (Rte 7 at 341), Kent, 3 pm, $15 ($40 for concert & reception), performance of festival jazzy tunes featuring Litchfield Jazz Festival Artist-in-Residence & drummer Matt Wilson; 860-361-6285.

Dec 12: Festival of Lessons and Carols, Sacred Heart Church, Main St South at Rte 172, Southbury, 3 pm, freewill offering (to go to local charities), traditional program will follow adaptation of Kings College program by Joseph M. Martin, refreshments to follow; 203-264-4589.

Dec 12: WCSU Holiday Jazz Concert, WCSU White Hall/Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free (donations will benefit university’s music dept) performances by Frankensax, WCSU Jazz Ensemble & WCSU Jazz Orchestra, program of jazz classics & holiday music; 203-837-8350.

Dec 12:  “A Season of Joy” by The Kent Singers, at St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Rte 7 at 341, Kent, 3 pm, $10, $8 seniors & children, songs from the highly regarded group’s a cappella group’s mostly clas-sical repertoire (concert also Dec 12 in Kent); 860-354-2156.

Dec 12: “Festival of Carols: A Christmas Cantata,” The Sherman Church, 6 Church Rd, Sherman, 4 pm, Sherman Church Choir will perform cantata based on traditional lessons & carols, narra-tion/readings by the Rev Mark Horton, open carol sing will conclude program; 860-354-6114.

Dec 17-18: Eclipse & Friends 6th Annual Christmas Concerts, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, $20, 4-member band will perform holiday music incl selections from recently released CD, all proceeds to benefit The International Myeloma Foundation; 203-426-3939.

Dec 18: New York Polyphony at St John’s Episcopal Church, 78 Green Hill Rd/Rte 47, Washington Green, 8 pm, $20, vocal quartet will perform concert of Advent & Christmas music; 860-868-2527.

Dec 19: Doug Hartline & Friends at Northville Baptist Church, 9 Little Bear Rd, New Milford, 7 pm, free Christmas concert to incl unique renditions of Christmas carols, hymns & popular songs by Mr Hartline on guitar, Ginny Hartline on vocals, Nick Bariluk on keyboards, Gary Blu on sax, George Skidd on bass & Bob Leonard on drums/percussion, guests requested to bring non-perishable donations for New Milford Food Bank; 203-744-2337.

For Kids & Families ______________________

Dec 10: Friday Night Bingo, St Rose of Lima Gathering Hall, 40 Church Hill Rd, Newtown,doors open 5:45 pm, games begin at 6:30, $17, cash prizes, refreshments available, hosted by St Rose of Lima Home School Association; 203-426-5102.

Dec 11: Annual Family Barnum Holiday Fest & Gingerbread Contest, The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 1-3 pm, $5, $2 ages 4-7, program by Diane Smith (author, A Connecticut Christ-mas), crafts for Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas & Las Posadas, hot chocolate & cookies, holiday ex-hibit & prizes announced for 3rd annual gingerbread village contest; 203-331-1104 x102.

Dec 17: Family Night Hike at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 6-7:30 pm, free quiet walk in fields & forest of Kellogg Center & Osbornedale State Park to look for animals adapting to winter, also learn about upcoming lunar eclipse & winter solstice; 203-734-2513.

Miscellaneous ___________________________

Through Dec 11: Monroe Historical Society Annual Christmas Fair, The Old Schoolhouse, Wheeler Rd, Monroe, Sat-Sun 9 am-3 pm (also 5-9 pm Dec11), Thurs-Fri 4-7 pm, vintage & collectible Christmas items; 203-445-1082, 203-261-8554.

Through Dec 22: 4th Annual Danbury Museum Holiday Bazaar, Danbury Museum & Historical Society Huntington Hall, 43 Main St, Danbury, Tues-Sat 10 am-3 pm, handmade jewelry, floral pcs, historic Danbury photos, knitted & quilted items & more; 203-743-5200.

Dec 11: 2nd Annual NHS Animal Concerns Club Holiday Bazaar, Newtown High School cafeteria, 12 Berkshire Rd, Sandy Hook, 9 am-3 pm, crafts, tag sale items, vendors and more, presented by NHS club to raise funds for local & national animal organizations; 203-426-8115 x205.

Dec 11: St Rose Living Nativity, 6:30 pm, St Rose of Lima Church (stable), 46 Church Hill Road, outdoor program w/ live animals, also parish members portraying angels, shepherds, kings, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, hot chocolate and cookies follow in Gathering Hall; 203-426-1014.

Dec 11: 14th Annual Cookie Monster Event, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 9:30 am-noon, homemade cookies & fudge $8/lb, mix & match your own selection; 203-748-2089.

Dec 11: 16th Annual Woodbury House Tour, Woodbury, 10 am-4 pm, $20/adv, $25/day of, 6 private homes will be lavishly decorated for holidays, no photography, bring slippers if poss, refreshments at Woodbury Senior & Community Center (265 Main St/Rte 6), proceeds benefit local charities incl Woodbury scholarship fund & community food & fuel bank; 203-263-2828 (senior & community center).

Dec 11: “Oh How We Shopped!” at Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury, 1 pm, Fran Hendrickson will create a fascinating tale of shopping over the last several hundred years — what we purchased, when we purchased & at what price; 203-743-5200.

Dec 12: Newtown Holiday Craft Festival, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am- 5 pm, free adm, presented by Artisans Alliance; 203-261-2414.

Dec 12: Bake Sale & Gift Wrapping Party, St Thomas Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 11 am-4 pm, $1-$5 depending on size of package (bring you own box), baked goods, proceeds to benefit St Thomas Kitchen Fund & also toward building a well in Sudan village; 203-794-1877.

Dec 12: Author Jay Tunney at Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury, 3 pm, free program by Roxbury resident & author of The Prizefighter and The Playwright will discuss his book, book signings & refreshments to follow; 860-350-2181.

Dec 17: Family Night Hike at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 6-7:30 pm, free quiet walk in fields & forest of Kellogg Center & Osbornedale State Park to look for animals adapting to winter, also learn about upcoming lunar eclipse & winter solstice; 203-734-2513.

Dec 18: “Animals in Winter,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 10-11:30 am, free, join staff for walk in fields & forest of center while learning of how animals adapt to winter, look for signs of nature & investigate habitats in search of tracks & other signs animals have been recently around; 203-734-2513.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-2475.

Dec 11-16: You Again (PG), Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Sun 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Newtown Chess Club, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

Weekly games, Sat 1-5 pm, drop-in chess open to all skill levels, sets & boards provided, hosted by US Chess Federation expert Glenn Budzinski.

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level, use rear parking lot), 45 Main Street, Newtown; 203-270-4377.

Shop is open every Wed 12-3 pm & Sat 9 am-noon, access is from town hall’s back parking lot, shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing, sm home accessories & more. Special event: Decorated Christmas Tree raffle, win the fully decorated tree on view in main lobby of Edmond Town Hall, tickets $2 or 3/$5, available during thrift shop hours, drawing to be Dec 12.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, new location: at The Garage (Newtown teen center), 53 Church Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 203-426-6242, 203-364-0631.

Open mic 7:30 pm, featured poet at 8:45, poetry editing workshop follows featured poet: Dec 15, Bah Humbug Open Mic; Dec 22, no poetry.

Theatre _________________________________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center; 203-775-0023.

Wait Until Dark, through Dec 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 12 only) 2 pm, $20, $15 students.

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

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, through Dec 19, curtain Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30, tickets $29.50-$46.50; also Dec 31, special New Year’s Eve show, $75 (call for details).

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

On Stage II: Shirley Valentine, through Jan 2, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun, Tues (& Wed, Dec 12, 22 & 29) 7 pm, mat Sat (Dec 11 & 18 only) 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, also Wed (Dec 15, 22 & 29) 2 pm, contact theater re: ticket prices.

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

Enchanted April, through Dec 11, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, $24, $20 seniors & students.

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

A Child’s Christmas in Wales (musical version), through Jan 1, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 12 & 19) 2 pm, $20.

Stray Kats Theatre Company, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-514-2221.

Staged readings, 7:30 pm, $25 (season subscription available), Q&A w/ actors & reception follows: Dec 10, The Man Who Came To Dinner.

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

Almost, Maine, through Jan 8, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, $20; Dec 16, Holiday Party Night, reception 7 pm, curtain 8 pm, $40, hot & cold hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beverages, etc; Dec 24-25, no shows.

Page 2 Stage reading series, free: Dec 15, Bell, Book and Candle, 8 pm.

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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 Enjoy must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to Associate Editor Shannon Hicks, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com.