Antiques Shows______

Dec 20: 24th Annual 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.

Jan 1: Glastonbury Antiques & Collectibles Gala New Year’s Show, Glastonbury High School, Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 9 am-4:30 pm, adm $7, 130 dealers, from New England, NY & RI; 860-342-2540.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places_______

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

Through Jan 10: “Celebrate the Season,” annual presentation of Victorian Christmas era decorations & trends throughout museum; Dec 22, gallery talk w/ curator Kathleen Maher, 11 am.

Blue Z Coffee House, 127 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-364-1003, 203-364-0631.

Through Dec 31: mixed media works by Jessica Gaddis, who finds inspiration in the natural world.

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

Through Dec 31: “The Katherine Amelia Frederic Papers,” collection covering unique slice of 105 years of American history salvaged from Capitol Hill carriage house & researched to uncover a family history, scanned, catalogued & preserved incl Christmas cards from 1920s & 30s, presented by Tony Neidenbach.

The Galleries at The Fraser-Woods School, 173 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown. Gallery hours by appt only; 203-3390 x312. Hours for current show: Mon, Thurs-Fri 5-7 pm, Tues-Wed 10 am-1 pm, Sat-Sun 12-4 pm.

Through Dec 30: “From The Inside Out: art of experience,” works by Katie Bassett-Valente, Christine Mitchell, Henry Mitchell, Joan Pollak, David Wrabel, Adam Kaplan, Bob Perucci, Christine Milo & Evan Valente, with funds raised through sales to benefit Kevin’s Community Center.

Housatonic Museum of Art/Burt Chernow Galleries at Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport; 203-332-5000.

Through Dec 20: “Water, Algae, Ice,” performance-based, site-oriented video, photos & objects formed from seaweed by Deborah Wing-Sproul from her ongoing “Tidal Culture.”

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, New Haven; 203-865-0400.

Through Jan 31: “Ninth Annual Christmas Tree Festival,” artificial trees decorated w/ handmade ornaments by 500 CT students in grades K-5.

Through Jan 31: “A Latino Christmas: Nativities of Latin America,” Nativity scenes, or crèches, from 16 Latin countries, 4 southwestern US states & Puerto Rico.

Koenig Frameworks and Art Gallery, 97 South Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-1887.

Through Dec 24: “Your Town,” photos by state residents of CT cities & towns in color, black & white, film & digital that answer the question “What does your town look like through a camera lens?”

Mocha Coffee House, 3 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook; 203-364-9200.

Through Dec 31: decoupaged items filled (covered) w/ whimsy by Robert Rabinowitz & photo realistic paintings by Lee Brownell.

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

Through Dec 24: “Holiday Show & Sale of Ceramic Art.”

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 800 Main St, Hartford; 860-838-4055.

Through Jan 3: “The MATRIX Effect,” 26-min video by Christian Jankowski done in 2000 to celebrate 25th anniv of MATRIX project coupled w/ featured MATRIX artists Janine Antoni, John Baldessari, Dawoud Bey, Christo & Jeanne-Claude, Louise Lawler, Sol Le Witt, Glenn Ligon & Adrian Piper.Through Jan 24: “Rembrandt’s People,” two Rembrandt paintings from the museum’s collection (“Portrait of Saskia” & “Portrait of Titus”), along w/ Rembrant works loaned from public & private US & Canada collections, w/  aim to demonstrate the artist’s talent as a figure painter through his distinctive, insightful style, presenting human beings that connect in a direct way with the viewer.

Through Feb 28: “The Allure of Lace,” individual lace pieces, along with lace incorporated into clothing, handkerchiefs & fans from Europe and the Middle East, as well as 20th Century dresses, samples, lace making tools & portrait miniatures, all drawn from the museum’s costume & textile collections.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield; 860-567-3163.

Through Dec 31: “15th Anniversary Retrospective #3,” works by artists who have had solo shows in gallery since its 1994 opening incl Norell Gudaitis, Linda Hoffman, Barbara Wilk, Danielle Mailer, David Skora, Elizabeth MacDonald, Florin Firimita, Gus Moran, Inge Morath, Michael Sundra, Natasha Cohen, Susan Rood, Ruth Middleton & Warren Prindle.

Auditions, Juried Events 

Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists, 30 Davis Hill Road, Weston CT 06883.

Jan 4: Submission deadline for 5th annual juried fine art portrait exhibition (“Faces of Winter 2010), to be presented Feb 5-March 6 at UConn Gallery in Stamford, Nelson Shanks will judge for cash & ribbon awards for painting, drawing & sculpture, send SASE to above address for details and prospectus or visit CSOPAorg.

Easton Arts Council, Easton. Call 203-261-0175.

Jan 10: Drop off for EAC’s Annual Art show, 10 am-1 pm, show will take place Jan 12-Feb 28 at Easton Library, $15 entry fee, interested artists, photographers, sculptors & artisans can download entry form at EastonArtsCouncil.org, addt’l info from artshow@eastonartscouncil.org or above phone #; entry forms also available at Easton, Fairfield, Trumbull, Bridgeport (Black Rock branch) Redding & Monroe libraries

Town Players of New Canaan, The Powerhouse, Waveny Park, 681 South Ave/Rte 124, New Canaan. Call 203-536-5393.

Jan 4-5: Open auditions for its Conor McPherson’s The Weir, callbacks will be Jan 6, director Tim Cronin has roles for males in his 30s, 40s & 50s & female in her 30s, Irish accents used in play but not required for auditions, perusal scripts are available at the reference desk of New Canaan Library, performances will be Feb 26-March 13, contact Mr Cronin at above phone # for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events

Dec 18-19: “Dreaming Of A Holy Night,” Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd, Bethel, 7 pm, $10, Christmas concerts by British worship leader & recording artist Graham Kendrick; 203-796-7373.

Dec 19-20: The Nutcracker by Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance, at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, Sat 2 & 6 pm, Sun 2 pm, $25, $20 seniors, $15 children (senior & children tickets must be reserved through box office), full performance w/ “exquisite costumes, dazzling choreography … & professional dancers & students”; 203-438-5795.

Dec 19-20: The Nutcracker by FineLine Theatre Arts, Canterbury School, 101 Aspetuck Ave, New Milford, Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3 & 7:30 pm, $15, $10 students, free ages 6 & under, full performance by 100+ students from acting, musical theater & dance departments of New Milford-based school; 860-210-1444.

Dec 20: St Luke’s Steel Band Christmas Concert, St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 111 Whalley Ave, New Haven, 4 pm, $10, proceeds to benefit church’s general fund; 203-488-5129.

Dec 20: Doug Hartline & Friends at Northville Baptist Church, 9 Little Bear Rd, New Milford, 7 pm, donations of nonperishables for New Milford Food Bank requested, performance of Christmas carols, hymns & popular songs; 203-744-2337.

For Kids & Families__

Dec 19: Soccer & Santa, Newtown Youth Academy, 10 South Fairfield Circle (Fairfield Hills), Newtown, 9:30 am-1 pm, free, snacks, crafts, live music, soccer lessons, inflatable obstacle course, photos w/ Santa (BYO camera) & more, collecting soccer balls for Kicks For Nick, also raffles ($5 donation); 203-304-1826.

Dec 29: “Teddy Bears, Toys & Tea,” Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 1-3 pm, $5 ($4 museum members; adults free) children & teddy bears invited for scavenger hunt, tea party w/ snacks & storytelling by Rita Hughes, registration requested; 203-753-0381 x10.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533 (children’s dept 203-426-3851).

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Dec 30, Beyond Candy Land: European Board Game Fun, 1-4 pm, ongoing games for ages 4 & up (adults/parents must stay w/ ages 4-10) w/ educator Eric Paradis.

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre Co., 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport; 203-576-1636, 203-575-1634.

The Knight Before Christmas: A Children’s Musical, through Dec 30, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm (also Dec 30, 12 & 5:30 pm), tickets $15.50.

Miscellaneous_______

Through Dec 20: “The Wonders of Nature: Osborne Homestead Museum Holiday Tours,” 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm (also Tues-Wed, groups by appt; also Twilight Tours Dec 11 & 18, 4-6:30 pm), guided tours through museum decorated for holidays by local garden clubs; 203-734-2513.

Through Dec 20: Barn Hill Studio Holiday Art Show & Sale, Rte 110 at Barn Hill Rd, Monroe, Sat-Sun 12-5 pm, sculpture by Eric Camiel, artworks by Joe DeMarco, Flo Dohanos, Linda Dohanos, Dawn Lombard, Jessie Mackay, Sue Nally, Des Norman, Lisa Oswald, Julia Provey, Ed Ross, Vincent Salerno, et al, also handmade gifts, soaps, jewelry & chocolates, live music Dec 12 (12-4, by Carol Spangler); 203-268-4225.

Through Dec 21: Alpaca Owners’s Open Farm Days, Alpaca Connection Farm, 132 Orchard Ave, Woodbury, Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm (also Mon, Dec 21, same hours), free, meet alpacas of all colors & ages, newborns & adults, shopping area, refreshments; 203-266-9002.

Through Dec 23: Annual Danbury Museum Holiday Bazaar, 43 Main St, Danbury, Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm, handmade & unique items; 743-5200.

Dec 20: Author, teacher, cartoonist, novelist & painter Peter Steiner at Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury, 1:30 pm, free 90-min talk will coincide w/ Mr Steiner’s current exhibition of paintings at library & upcoming publication of new book The Terrorist; 860-350-2181.

Dec 20: “Embodying Peace & Joy During the Holidays and Always,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free talk by yoga instructor JoAnn Livolsi will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

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

(FILM) Dec 18-20: National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (PG-13), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Fri 4:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm. (Theater will be closed for holiday break, Dec 21-25)

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

Through Dec 20: Annual Holiday Indian Market, Sat-Sun 12-4 pm, discounts on many items suitable for gift giving.

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.

Shepaug Eagle Observation Area, Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station, River Rd, Southbury; 800-368-8954 (Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm).

Seasonal: Observation area open Dec 26 to March 7 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required (reservations line now open, Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm).

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.

Treehouse Comedy Productions. Call 203-702-7577.

Shows at Harborside Bar & Grille, 946 Ferry Blvd, Stratford, 9 pm, $15 unless noted: Dec 31, Rich Vos & Bonnie McFarlane, Mitchell “The Area Code Guy” Walters hosting, 8 pm ($20.10) & 10 pm ($34.95 incl party favors, balloon drops, champagne & dancing after the show).

Shows at The Holiday Inn, 80 Newtown Rd, Danbury: Dec 19, Bill Campbell headlining, Kerri Louise & Tony Liberati opening, 9 pm, $15; Jan 2, Rich Vos headlining, Bonnie McFarlane opening, 9 pm, $19.50; Jan 8, Gallagher, 8 pm, $30.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, at The Blue Z Coffee House, 127 South Main St, Newtown. Call 203-426-6242, 203-364-0631.

Open mic 7:30, featured poet follows: Dec 23, no poetry; Dec 30, special event at WestConn Alumni Hall, 180 White St, Danbury, 45 min open mic followed by featured poet Daniel Nesters.

 

Theatre_____________

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

Have You Seen Us?, through Dec 20, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun, Tues-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, call for ticket details.

On Stage II: Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold, through Dec 20, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $28.

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

Shakespeare’s R&J, through Dec 20, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Thurs & some Sun (call for schedule) 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:30 pm, tickets $38-$60, $12 student rush tickets at show w/ valid ID.

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

Season’s Greetings, through Jan 2, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $20 Dec 13 & 20 shows are sold out; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve gala, $50.

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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 203-426-3141 for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.