Antiques Shows _________________________

Dec 14: 23rd Antique Stocking Stuffers Show & Sale, Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, 10 am-5 pm, adm $7, 70 dealers, proceeds to benefit Friends of the Civic Center; 914-273-4667, show phone 203-637-4583.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places ___________________________

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield; 203-438-4519.

*(new show) Dec 14-Feb 14: “The Soul – Journey to America,” huge freestanding paper sculpture (14+ ft tall, approx 650 pounds) by the Korean artist Kwang-Young Chun; Dec 14, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

*(new show) Dec 14-Feb 14: “Full Circle: Ten Years of Radius,” anniversary celebration of successful professional artist development program presented by the Aldrich that has jumpstarted many careers will incl work by14 previous Radius artists; Dec 14, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

*(new show) Dec 14-Feb 14: “The Silent Echo Chamber,” multiscreen video installation by award-winning comedic actor,writer, musician & radio host Harry Shearer; Dec 14, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

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

Through Jan 4: “Celebrate the Season,” museum’s period rooms decorated in elaborate 19th Century style demonstrating early trends & later elaborate ornaments became part of American tradition; Dec 13, Barnum Holiday Festival, 11 am-2 pm, “Celebrate the Season” gallery talk, 11 am, $7 adults, $5 students & seniors, $4 ages 4-17 (incl museum adm), led by Executive Director Kathleen Maher, then children’s crafts & caroling by Yule Tide Carolers at noon, also judging of Family Gingerbread House Creations entries; Dec 16, Christmas Reading, 11 am, $7 adults, $5 students & seniors, $4 ages 4-17 (incl museum adm), Sonya Finch (wife of Major Bill Finch) will lead annual reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas, reservations requested.

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — *(new show) Through Dec 20: “NHS Art Portfolio Students,” works by the 13 Newtown High School seniors in Diane Dutchick’s college prep art course; Dec 14, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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

Through Dec 31: “Made For Trade: Realities of Economic Survival,” articles once made for personal use that eventually became valuable commodities to be sold or traded for manufactured goods.

Through Dec 31: “Digging Into The Past: Archaeology in Connecticut,” exploration of tools & techniques archaeologists use to uncover past histories, w/ focus on CT sites incl Templeton site in Washington, Tubbs Shellheap in Niantic & Schaghticoke Village in Kent.

Through Dec 31: “The Venture Smith Homestead Site,” expanded collection features items from 18th Century African prince, ex-captive & free black American merchant farmer.

Through Dec 31: “Mississippi Peoples and Their Pottery,” effigy vessels made in form of animal or human, also globular bowls & hooded bottles made during era starting ca 700 AD.

Mattatuck Museum Art & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury; 203-753-0381.

Through Dec 28: “The Brave and Valiant: The History of the Waterbury Fire Department,” historic photos, oral histories & memorabilia loaned by local firefighters & their families.

Mocha Coffee House, 3 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook; 364-9200.

*(new show) Through Dec 31: paintings by artist & teacher Claudia Mitchell.

Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby; 734-2513.

Through Dec 21: “A Christmas Carol in Derby,” scenes from Dickens’ classic will be created within rooms of museum by volunteer members of local garden clubs; Dec 12, Twilight Tour, 4-6:30 pm; Dec 13, one-woman show at adjacent Kellogg Environmental Center, 2 pm, $4, Kandi Carle will dress in & discuss woman’s fashions of the Victorian era, open house at museum to follow; Dec 19, Twilight Tour, 4-6:30 pm.

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

Through Dec 24: “Studies in Form,” new works in porcelain & stoneware vases incl functional pcs & sculptures by Phyllis Savage.

Visual Impact Gallery, 4 Eagle Rd, Danbury; 790-9650.

*(new show) Through Dec 31: “Holiday Arts Festival,” limited edition prints by more than 40 nationally recognized artists & photographers.

Concerts, Musical Events       ______________

Dec 12: Christmas Concert by pianist Richard Deal, Newtown Bible Church, 35 Sugar St/Rte 302, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free concert will celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, all welcome; 426-6484.

Dec 12: “Candlelight and Carols” by CT Choral Society, Trinity Episcopal Church, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, $20, holiday concert by 60-voice chorus will include works of Tomas Luis de Victoria and Morten Lauridsen, Britten, Rutter, and other holiday selections, also Dec 14 in Woodbury; 203-206-7186.

Dec 12-14: Danbury Music Centre’s Nutcracker, at Danbury High School, Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $15-$20, largest Nutcracker production in the area features 230+ local dancers (incl 40+ from Newtown) accompanied live by Danbury Symphony Orchestra, reservations strongly suggested; 748-1716.

Dec 13: A Chinese Performing Art Show, Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 3 pm, free performance of traditional Chinese choreography, instruments, vocal music & more by The Western CT Chinese-American Performing Arts Assn; 426-3961.

Dec 13: My Dad’s Truck Holiday Show, Roots Music Coffeehouse at The Common Ground Annex Dance Studio (former CityCenter Dance Factory space), 345 Main St, Danbury, doors open 6:30 pm, family set at 7, open mic at 8, evening set at 9, sugg donation $10/adv, $12/door, refreshments available; 417-9607.

Dec 13: Messiah Sing-Along with Fanfare Consort, St Stephen Church, 6938 Main St, Trumbull, 8 pm, tickets $15, $10 students & seniors, $30 families, join ensemble dedicated to early music & performances on historically accurate instruments for sing-along of Part I & “Hallelujah Chorus” of Handel’s masterpiece, BYO scores or borrow one from Consort; 203-258-9013.

Dec 13-14: 20th anniversary Nutcracker by Main Street Ballet, Pomperaug High School, 234 Judd Rd, Southbury, Sat 7 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25 adults, $20 seniors & students, $12 ages 6 & under, group rates available, full production w/ 150+ cast members; 263-5107.

Dec 14: “A Holiday Broadway Celebration,” Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 6:30 pm, $12 adults, $10 students & seniors, performance by students & staff of Sabrina’s Encore Productions LLC, with guest singers from Newtown High School, will double as fundraiser for theater; 304-1236.

Dec 14: “Candlelight and Carols” by CT Choral Society, North Congregational Church, 11 Main St North, Woodbury, 3 pm, $20, holiday concert by 60-voice chorus will include works of Tomas Luis de Victoria and Morten Lauridsen, Britten, Rutter, and other holiday selections, also Dec 14 in Woodbury; 203-206-7186.

Dec 14: Christmas Concert, The Sherman Church, 6 Church Rd, Sherman, 4 pm, church choir’s performance of classical & contemporary selections will reflect & rejoice in beauty of the season; 860-364-6114.

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

Performances 8 pm, tickets $24-$58 w/ student & group discounts: Dec 13, “Home for the Holidays,” popular works & traditional holiday music (pre-concert performance by GBS harpist Wendy Kerner Lucas, 7 pm).

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Dec 13, Nutcracker by Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, 2 & 6 pm, tickets $25 adults, $20 seniors, $15 students & children; Dec 18, A Rockapella Holiday, $52.50 adults, $42.50 students & children, with special guests The Retrotones; Dec 19, Mohegan Sun All Stars, $40; Dec 30, Gregg Allman, $90.

For Kids & Families ______________________

Dec 13: Photos with Santa Fundraiser, The Magic Garden, 6 Queen St, Newtown, 11 am-4 pm, $10, professional photographer Cynthia McIntyre will create 5x7 photos of children with Santa, all proceeds to benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services; 364-1592.

Dec 13: Barnum Holiday Festival, The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 11 am-2 pm, “Celebrate the Season” gallery talk, 11 am, led by Executive Director Kathleen Maher, then children’s crafts & caroling by Yule Tide Carolers at noon, also judging of Family Gingerbread House Creations entries; 203-331-1104.

Dec 16: Christmas Reading at The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport 11 am, Sonya Finch (wife of Major Bill Finch) will lead annual reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas, reservations requested; 203-331-1106 x106.

Dec 20-31: 21st annual Hands-On Train Display, Railroad Station, 11 Railroad St, New Milford, 12-4 pm daily (closed Christmas Day only), free, four operating layouts for all ages to enjoy; 860-354-6080.

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 15, Holiday Sing-Along with Francine Wheeler, 10 am, all ages invited, no registration needed.

Miscellaneous ___________________________

Through Dec 13: 41st Annual Gingerbread Village & Bazaar, St George’s Church, Tucker Hill Rd, Middlebury, Mon-Fri 2-4 & 6-8 pm, Sat 10 am4 pm, free adm, tableau to incl 57+ houses, 100+ snowmen, 30 gingerbread citizens, children, sledding, trees & other holiday items, all created by members of church; 203-758-9557.

Through Dec 20: Danbury Museum Holiday Bazaar, Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury, Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm, handmade items, Byers Choice carolers, Boyd’s resin figures, tree ornaments & more; 743-5200.

Through Dec 21: Holiday Decorations at David Northrop House/Old Store Museum Shop, 10 Rte 37, Sherman, Thurs-Sun 12-4 pm (also open house Sun, Dec 7), Northrop House decorated w/ Mother Goose theme this year, also festival of decorations for enjoying & shopping; 860-354-3083.

Through Dec 21: “A Christmas Carol” at Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, each room of museum decorated by local garden clubs following A Christmas Carol theme, guided tours available, Twilight Tours (Dec 5, 12 & 19, 4-6:30 pm); 734-2513.

Through Dec 22: Folk Art Santas, Navone Studios, 165 Hanover Rd, Newtown, weekends, also weekdays after 5, by appt only, new selection of hand carved & painted folk art sants for viewing & purchase; 426-2927.

Dec 12: Twilight Tour of Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 4-6:30 pm, tours of museum, lit by candlelight, decorated by local garden clubs for holidays following A Christmas Carol theme (also Dec 19); 734-2513.

Dec 12-14: 2008 Festival of Trees: A Walk Down Memory Lane, The Howland Hughes Center, 120-140 Bank St, Waterbury, 10 am-6 pm each day, adm $3 adults, $2 children & seniors, hoiday fun, shopping, presentation of decorated theme trees, visits w/ Santa (Fri 1o am-noon, Sat-Sun 12-5), live music, Live Nativity scenes (ongoing Sat, also 1 & 2 pm Sun), receiving donations of toys & canned goods for Jr League of Greater Waterbury & Toys For Tots, more; 203-597-9527.

Dec 12-14: 60th Birthday Scrabble® Tournament & History Display, Holiday Inn, 80 Newtown Rd/Rte 6, Danbury, Fri 7:30-11:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-6:30 pm, Sun 9:30 am-2 pm, 3-day tourney for serious players, also 4-game mini tourney for beginners (Sat 9:30-1:30, registration closed), spectators welcome for all games, special display to celebrate 60th anniv of development & trademark of Scrabble® ; 203-244-5324.

Dec 13: St Thomas’s 12th Cookie Event, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 9:30 am-noon, cookies & fudge $8/pound, create your own selection from homemade cookies & fudge; 743-1494.

Dec 13: 14th Annual Vintage Homes Tour, start from (maps at) Woodbury Senior Center, 265 Main St (behind library). Woodbury, 10 am-4 pm, $20/adv, $25/day of, 6 vintage homes open for visits, refreshments at senior center, proceeds to benefit Woman’s Club of Woodbury scholarships, food & fuel banks & other charities; 263-3181.

Dec 13: Holiday Tea, Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury, seatings 12-2:30 pm & 3-4:30 pm (reservations required), $25, hot tea, savories & sweets, love music, chat w/ museum staff about tea traditions & customs (museum’s holiday bazaar will also be open, 10 am-4 pm); 743-5200.

Dec 13: “A Closer Look at Orion the Hunter,” Western CT State Univ Observatory & Planetarium, Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, free, planetarium shows 3 & 5 pm, then observatory viewing 6-8 pm to view the moon & outer planets; 837-8672 (Observatory), 837-8486 (Office of Public Relations).

Dec 14: Newtown Holiday Craft Festival, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-5 pm, free adm, featuring many fine area crafters; 261-2414.

Dec 14: “A Holiday Broadway Celebration,” Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 6:30 pm, $12 adults, $10 students & seniors, performance by students & staff of Sabrina’s Encore Productions LLC, with guest singers from Newtown High School, will double as fundraiser for theater; 304-1236.

Dec 14: Nostalgic Film Series Double Feature: A Christmas Story and It’s A Wonderful Life, The Palace Theater, 100 East Main St, Waterbury, 2 pm, $14, screenings of holiday classics will also incl vintage Warner Bros. cartoon prior to main presentation; 203-755-4700.

Dec 19: Twilight Tour of Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 4-6:30 pm, tours of museum, lit by candlelight, decorated by local garden clubs for holidays following A Christmas Carol theme; 734-2513.

Dec 19: Comedy-Dinner Season Finale: Buddy Fitzpatrick & Marion Grodin, The Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, dinner 6:30-8 pm, performance begins 8:30, tickets $30 & reservations required; 470-7528.

Dec 20: The Flagpole Radio Café, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, begins 7 pm, $10, $5 seniors & students, live music, theatrical performance, refreshments; 364-0898.

Dec 20-31: 21st annual Hands-On Train Display, Railroad Station, 11 Railroad St, New Milford, 12-4 pm daily (closed Christmas Day only), free, four operating layouts for all ages to enjoy; 860-354-6080.

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

(FILM) Dec 12-18: City of Ember (PG), Fri 7 & 9 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Through Dec 14, Indian Market, Sat-Sun 12-4 pm, gourds, pottery, jewelry, rattles & more by local Native American crafters, jewelers & artists.

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 am (spring & fall start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Dec 13, short hike at Southford Falls followed by a pot luck lunch and winter schedule planning (leader Tim Hanbury, 203-888-0425; call Tim for food coordination).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, New-town. Call 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.

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

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

Theatre  _________________________________

Dec 13: Amahl and the Night Visitors, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, , curtain 8 pm, tickets $12, $8 seniors & students (age 14 & under), full production by WCSU Opera Ensemble, suitable for all ages, all proceeds to benefit Edmond Town Hall Theater Fund; 994-1217.

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

42nd Street, through Jan 4, curtain Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 5:30 & 8:30 pm, tickets $49 Fri-Sat, $39 Sun.

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

On Stage II: Sister’s Christmas Catechism, through Dec 21, curtain Tues-Wed 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $20-$25.

Playhouse on the Green, 177 State Street, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

The Santaland Diaries and Season’s Greetings, through Dec 21, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm (also Thurs, Dec 18), mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $27 adults, $25 seniors, $15 students.

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

Mrs Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, through Dec 31, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 14 & 21) 2 pm; Dec 14, special benefit performance for NHS Girls Lacrosse, 2 pm, tickets $40 (call 364-9990); Dec 18, additional performance added, 8 pm curtain.

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

Panto Puss in Boots, through Dec 20, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $15, $10 age 12 & under; Dec 14, Toys For Tots Collection, ages 12 & under free w/ donation of new unwrapped toy for US Marine Corps collection

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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.