Antiques Shows______

Every Fri-Sun (year-round): Redwood Country Flea Market, 170 South Turnpike Rd, Wallingford, 6 am-2:30 pm, free adm & parking, 50-80 dealers; 203-269-3500.

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.

Jan 8-9: 59th Papermania Plus, XL Center, 225 Trumbull St, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, $7, 150 exhibitors; 860-563-9975, 860-529-2234.

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.

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.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield; 203-775-4526.

Through Dec 31: “35th Annual Holiday Exhibition & Sale,” handmade work by 100+ American craft artists incl jewelry, artful ornaments, functional pottery, wood & glass, wearable art & accessories, baby hats & toys, w/ new items rotated in as items sell.

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.

Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Road (at Rte 47), Washington Green; 860-868-7756.

Through Jan 16: “Washington Winter Wonderland,” more than 130 vintage Steiff stuffed animals, Christmas trees decorated by local designers & mural by former Metropolitan Opera scenic artist John Pitts.

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.

Through 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.

Through March 30: “Quiet Spirit, Skillful Hand: The Graphic Work of Clare Leighton,” works by the CT artist (1898-1989) who was a leading figure in the revival of the art of wood engraving in early 20th Century.

Through Nov 2011: “Precision and Beauty: 100 Years of Risdon,” cosmetic packaging by Risdon Manufacturing Company, reflecting changing styles from 1930s Art Deco to 1960s Pop Art, to commemorate 100 years of the manufacturer.

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

Through Jan 10: raku pottery by Eva St John & oil paintings by Kezia Hearn.

Morrison Gallery, 5 Maple St, Kent; 860-927-4501.

Through Feb 28: “Four Giants,” works on paper by Hans Hofmann, oils & pastels by Wolf Kahn, oils & acrylics by Cleve Gray and steel & stone sculpture by Jonathan Prince.

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.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

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

Jan 8-11: Auditions for non-Equity actors for Tiger Tiger Tiger, Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm, Mon-Tues 6-10 pm, non-Equity actors ages 14-60 invited to audition for program for early theater professionals, be prepared to read sides from show & sing 16 bars from rock musical (suggestions incl Thirteen, Little Shop of Horrors & Seussical), actor-musicis who play piano, bass, guitar or drums a plus, actors of all ethnicities encouraged, Maryna Harrison is directing, Annie DiMartino is musical director, performances April 6-9, rehearsals to begin first week of Feb.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Jan 6: Jazz First Thursday: Alta DeChamplain, The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30 pm, $15, live music by jazz musician Alta DeChamplain & her husband, pianist Matt DeChamplain, also wine, beer & light refreshments; 203-753-0381.

Jan 8: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:30 pm, adm $4 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see listing under Miscellaneous), $5 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, light refreshments; 203-426-9998.

For Kids & Families _________

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 28: “Magic, Music & Juggling: Scott Jameson,” The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Wa-terbury, 2 pm, $10, $8 ages 5-12, program by Scott Jameson; 203-753-0381 x10.

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

Jan 2: Victorian Tea Party at Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green, 1-3 pm (snow date Jan 9, same time), free refreshments & viewing of holiday exhibit “Washington Winter Wonderland,” BYO tea cup, children encouraged to bring favorite stuffed animal or toy, reservations requested; 860-868-7756.

Miscellaneous ___________

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.

Through Dec 31: “35th Annual Holiday Exhibition & Sale,” Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, handmade work by 100+ American craft artists incl jewelry, artful ornaments, functional pottery, wood & glass, wearable art & accessories, baby hats & toys, w/ new items rotated in as items sell; 203-775-4526.

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.

Jan 2: Victorian Tea Party at Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green, 1-3 pm (snow date Jan 9, same time), free refreshments & viewing of holiday exhibit “Washington Winter Wonderland,” BYO tea cup, children encouraged to bring favorite stuffed animal or toy, reservations requested; 860-868-7756.

Jan 8: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner , Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, $9 adults, $8 seniors, $3.50 children, optional coffee house w/ live music follows (see listing under Concerts); 203-426-9998.

Ballroom Dinner Dance, Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury; 203-268-8570.

Every Wed 7-11 pm, $15, singles & couples welcome, dance lesson, buffet dinner & cash bar available.

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

Jan 10, Daytime Book Discussion Group, 1 pm, discussion of The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly, newcomers welcome.

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

Dec 26-31: Legends of the Guardians: Owls of Ga’Hoole, Sun-Tues & Thurs 1 & 4 pm, Wed 3 pm (preceded by special live own program by Horizon Wings, 1 pm), Fri 1 pm.

Dec 26-31: Red (PG-13), Sun-Thurs 7 & 9 pm, mat Fri 4 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 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: Jan 8, Steep Rock, Washington, moderate hike (leader is Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); Jan 15, White Memorial (Little Pond area), Litchfield (Ildiko Gramling, 203-263-0086); Jan 22, Bent of the River Audubon Center, South Britain (Lynn Mavela, 203-264-7828 or 989-529-6914).

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 (reservations line open Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm).

Seasonal: Observation area open Dec 26 to March 16 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required (reservations line now open).

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 29, no poetry; Jan 5, Haiku Slam.

Theatre ______________

CES Regional Center for the Arts, 23 Oakview Dr, Trumbull; 203-365-8857.

The Skin of our Teeth, Jan 7-8, curtain 7:30 pm, tickets $12, $10 senior citizens.

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

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dec 31, special New Year’s Eve show, $75 (incl party favors, refreshments, midnight balloon drop & dancing to DJ selections).

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.

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: Jan 14, The Bickersons.

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).

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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.