Antiques Shows _________________________

Dec 19: 25th Antique Stocking Stuffers Show & Sale, Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, 10 am-5 pm, $7, 70 dealers, catered lunch, proceeds to benefit Friends of the Civic Center; 914-273-4667.

Jan 1: Glastonbury Antiques & Collectibles Gala New Year’s Show, Glastonbury High School, Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 9 am-4:30 pm, $7, 138 booths w/ dealers from New England & NY; 860-342-2540.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places ____________________________

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.

Permanent exhibitions: “Come One Come All: The Barnum Festival,” exhibit highlighting the history & significance of the festival as an event & an organization in constant operation since 1949 incl ballgowns, portraits of past Ringmasters, pins, posters & props, photos & other paraphernalia to reflect upon as symbols of community spirit & historical significance the festival has given to city of Bridgeport. “Grand Adventure: A Celebration of the American Spirit in Bridgeport,” permanent exhibit on museum’s 2nd floor provides in-depth exploration of Bridgeport’s 19th Century industrialization & urbanization w/ emphasis on P.T. Barnum’s role in the city’s growth; “P.T. Barnum: Bethel To Broadway To Bridgeport,” artifacts incl reproduction of Barnum’s Fejee Mermaid, souvenir pc of cake from Tom Thumb’s 1863 wedding & personal items from Barnum family; re-creation of library from Barnum’s first Bridgeport mansion Iranistan; “Baby Bridgeport,” preserved 6’8” 700-lb elephant, 2nd elephant born in captivity & 1st to be preserved; re-creation of drawing room from Harral-Wheeler mansion, considered one of most outstanding examples of Gothic Revival in America, ca 1847; “P.T. Barnum Presents the ‘Divine Jenny’ Lind,” artifacts from American tour of opera star reveals impact of Barnum-Lind collaboration on culture & society & Barnum’s promotional talents; 1,000-sq ft 3/4-inch scale model of five ring circus hand-carved by Meriden resident William Brinley w/ more than 3,000 miniature pcs; “General Tom Thumb,” original furniture, clothing & personal objects belonging to Barnum’s legendary protégé; and Pa-Ib, an Egyptian mummy documented by Egyptian priest as more than 2,500 yrs old.

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.

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

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury; 778-8337.

Permanent exhibitions on railroad history (museum is along old New Haven RR line & housed in former Danbury station & railyard), also original & restored rolling stock incl a New Haven RR Mack FCD railbus, Alco RS-1 diesel locomotive, fully operating turntable, etc.

Discovery Museum & Planetarium, 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport; 203-372-3521.

Through Jan  30: “Giant Worlds: A Voyage To The Outer Solar System,” hands-on collection allows visitors to learn about Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus & Neptune incl their formation, atmosphere, comparisons to Earth & more.

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

Through Jan 10: “Storms and Other Skies,” photos & paintings by Suzan Scott that capture the changing skies & shifting atmosphere of storms.

Housatonic Community College/Beacon Hall, 900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport.

Through Jan 8: “The Shepard Cycle,” suite of lithographs & etchings by Nomi Silverman that detail the narrative of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, structured similar to Passion of the Christ/Stations of the Cross.

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 17, Twilight Tour, 4-6:30 pm, candle-lit tours led by docents, donations accepted.

Rockwell Art and Framing, 470 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield; 203-894-8000.

Through Jan 21: “The Guild Group,” collaborative effort between Rockwell Gallery of Ridgefield & Ridgefield Guild of Artist Satellite Gallery Program offers works in various media incl acrylic & oil, ink, watercolor, gouache, monotype printing & torn paper by Randy Carboni,  Kim Hanna, Paola Lazzaro, Cindi Mullins, Paula Renee & Rachel Volpone.

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

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

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

Through Jan 2: “The Independent Eye: Contemporary British Art from the Collection of Samuel and Gabrielle Lurie,” major works by postwar British artists who came to maturity in the 1960s incl 30 paintings & 14 works on paper by Patrick Caulfield, John Walker, R.B. Kitaj, Howard Hodgkin, Ian Stephenson, John Hoyland, et al.

Concerts, Musical Events ________________

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: The Nutcracker by Woodbury Ballet, The Palace Theater, 100 East Main St, Waterbury, 4 pm, $28-$43, full production featuring professional dancers Peter Nevin, George Ziminsku & Justin Sherwood and students of Woodbury Academy; 203-346-2000.

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: Holiday Music at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St, Newtown, 5 pm, donations accepted, holiday selections by pianists Catherine Larson & Susan Anthony-Klein, guitarists & vocalists Robert & Josi Schmidt & vocalist Marianne Patterson, donations will be forwarded to Ann’s Place/The Home of I Can; 203-797-0795.

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 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 19: “Santa Comes to NYA,” Newtown Youth Academy, 4 Primrose St, Newtown, 12-3 pm, $5/family, visit with Santa (gift for each child), snack for kids, holiday performance by Sabrina’s Encore Productions, holiday craft projects, face painting & free 30-min Adventure Play class (broken down by age, call for schedule), inflatable obstacle course, also collection of new & used soccer balls for Kick For Nick, proceeds to benefit NYA Cares and Kick For Nick; 203-304-1826.

Dec 28: “Celebrate the Season: Holidays for Children,” The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 1 pm, $8 adults, $6 seniors & college students, $5 ages 4-17, free age 3 & under, participate in fun & fascinating look at the history of the holiday season, learn how Christmas trees became such an important part of family festivities & make old-fashioned holiday ornament, program repeats Dec 30; 203-331-1104.

Dec 30: “Celebrate the Season: Holidays for Children,” The Barnum Museum, see Dec 28 details.

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 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.

Dec 18: Christmas Bake Sale, Hungarian American Club of Danbury, 56 Pambroke Rd/Rte 37, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm (snow date Dec 19), phone orders accepted; 203-364-9011.

Dec 31: Stand Up & Countdown New Year’s Eve Comedy Night, Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park, Plank Rd, Waterbury, shows at 6:30 ($45) & 9:30 pm ($55 incl hors d’oeuvres & midnight champagne toast), performances by NYC comedians Richie Byrne headlining, also Carol Siskind & Bill McCarty & emcee Allen Enlow; 203-757-4676.

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

Dec 17-23: Alpha and Omega (PG), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Newtown Hikers. Call 203-788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 203-270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 10 am (winter start time), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: new season begins Jan 8, Steep Rock, Washington, moderate hike (leader is Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025).

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.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-6224 (ask for Betty) or 203-264-3728 (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.

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 22, no poetry; Dec 29, 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, $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 (incl party favors, refreshments, midnight balloon drop & dancing to DJ selections).

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 22 & 29) 7 pm, mat Sat (Dec 18) 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, also Wed (Dec 22 & 29) 2 pm, contact theater re: ticket prices; note: no shows Dec 24-25 & 31.

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; Dec 24-25, no performances; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala, $40, traditional Welsh food, also wine & spirits, following performance.

TheaterWorks Hartford, 233 Pearl St, Hartford; 860-527-7838.

God of Carnage, through Dec 19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30, tickets $40-$52.50, $15 student rush, free ages 14-17 (call for details); note: recommended for ages 14 & up.

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 24-25, no shows; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve gala, $60 ($40 subscribers).

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.