Antiques Shows __________________

Jan 7-8: 61st Papermania Plus Antique Paper Show, XL Center, 225 Trumbull St, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, $8, 150 exhibitors, free appraisals (Sun 11 am-2 pm); 860-563-9975, 860-529-2234.

Art Exhibits ______________________

Avancé Esthétiques Day Spa, Sand Hill Plaza, 228 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown.

Through Jan 9: “Art About Town,” works by Betty Christensen, Theresa Caputo, Lisa Greto, Ginger Kleinbart, MaryKaren Merrill, Ruth Newquist, Paula Renee, Susan Sagona, Pam Wilson & Virginia Zic, partial proceeds from all works sold during exhibition will benefit Ann’s Place/The Home of I Can.

Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Rd, Southbury; 203-262-0626.

*(new show) Jan 4-Feb 29: “Identity and Other Things,” works in fiber & mixed media art by members of The Connecticut Fiber Arts Collective.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot; 860-868-2878.

*(new show) Jan 7-22: “Young Talent 2012,” showcase of work by young, up-and-coming artists, all under age 30 and striving for career as full-time artist; Jan 7, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Auditions, Juried Events  __________

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

Jan 9-10: Auditions for Martin Casella’s scathing modern comedy The Irish Curse, 7-9 pm, director Robin Frome has openings for 5 men, ages 20-55 (character breakdowns online at www.theatreworks.us/actors), auditions will be readings from script, professionals & amateurs welcome, no appointment needed, rehearsals to begin in Jan, production to run weekends March 2-24.

Concerts, Musical Events ________

Jan 1: Annual Messiah Community Sing, Roxbury Congregational Church, 24 Church St/Rte 317, Roxbury, 4 pm, free, Schirmer scores available for purchase $15 (or bring your own), local singers & groups invited to join 4 vocal soloists (soprano Kimberly Baron, alto Gwynne Wittman, tenor Sean Fallon & bass Corey Gaudreau), string quartet & director Friso Hermans for Handel’s most popular oratorio, presented by The Shepaug Friends of Music; 860-355-0025.

Jan 5: First Thursday: Mario Pavone, The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30-7:30 pm, $15 ($7 museum members), live jazz by music legend & Waterbury native, who will be accompanied by alto saxophonist Kris Allen, pianist Craig Hartley, trombonist Peter McEachern, saxophonist Philippe Crettein & drummer Curtis Torian, performance to incl works of Ellington, Bubber Milley, Monk, J.J. Johnson & Thomas Chapin, also original compositions by Pavone; 203-753-0381 x10.

Jan 6: Pat Wictor at Lyrics Coffeehouse, Redding Community Center, Rte 107, Redding, 7:30 pm, $10/adv, $12/door, $6 seniors & children, monthly music offering featuring singer-songwriters, refreshments available; 203- 938- 2551, http://www.townofreddingct.org/Public_Documents/ReddingCT_ParksRec/music/lyrics.

Jan 8: Yossi Kohrman-Glaser: Classical Guitar Recital, St John’s Episcopal Church, 5 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 2 pm, free performance by Newtown High School student will serve as culmination of NHS Junior-Senior Project, also collection of non-perishable food items for FAITH Food Pantry.

 

For Kids & Families _______________

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: Jan 9, Theatre Games, 4 pm, children in grades K-3 invited to join acting teacher & director Twyla Hafermann-Kessler for theatre game workshop, registration requested, program also being offered Jan 23 & 30 (diff activities each week).

 

Miscellaneous _____________________

Jan 7: “Whose Barn Is It Anyway?” at Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield, 8 pm (doors open at 7, cabaret style seating, audience welcome to bring food & beverages), $22, original comedy & skits in response to suggestions from audience, may not be suitable for all children; 203-431-9850, www.RidgefieldTheaterBarn.org.

Jan 9: Town Historian’s Annual Lecture: “The American Revolution in Newtown,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free lecture by Dan Cruson will examine many facets of the war in and around Newtown, hosted by Newtown Historical Society; 203-426-5937.

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

Jan 9, Daytime Book Group, 1 pm, discussion of Lisa Genova’s Still Alice, newcomers welcome; Jan 9, A Calendar Desk for The New Year, 1 pm, $10 (due day of workshop, but register online in advance), bring 24 favorite photos (copies) & join Kirsten Bazuro to make a unique calendar; Jan 9, Town Historian’s Annual Lecture: “The American Revolution in Newtown,” 7:30 pm, free lecture by Dan Cruson will examine many facets of the war in & around Newtown, hosted by Newtown Historical Society (call 203-426-5937 about this program); Jan 19, Evening Book Discussion, 7:30 pm, discussion of Wally Lamb’s I Know This Much Is True, newcomers welcome.

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

(FILM) Jan 3-6: The Debt (R), Tues-Fri 7 & 9 pm, mat 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 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 7, Bear Mountain, Danbury (Molly Schleiss, 203-798-6516); Jan 14, Tarrywile Park, Danbury (Molly Schleiss, 203-798-6516); Jan 21, Monroe Rail Trail, Swiss Army Area (Carol Fullman, 203-270-1747).

Newtown Toastmasters, Town Hall South Parks & Recreation Conference Room, 3 Main St, Newtown; 203-313-5507.

Local chapter of international organization meets 1st & 3rd Wed/month, guests & newcomers welcome.

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 to March 14 for 2011-12 season, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm (closed New Year’s Day/Sun, Jan 1), 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.

 

Theatre ___________________________

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

Through Jan 7: Present Laughter, curtain Fri-St 8 pm, tickets $20; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve gala performance, 8 pm curtain, tickets $60 incl hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine & soft drinks.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items listed first, with additional events listed by their start time.

 EXPANDED CALENDAR ONLINE

Want to know about more regional events? Find an expanded edition of this calendar online at www.NewtownBee.com. Click on the Features tab and look for Enjoy/Regional Calendar of Events.

 

Shannon Hicks is the calendar editor for The Newtown Bee. To submit an item for the Enjoy Calendar, send her an email at shannon@thebee.com no later than Tuesday at 5 pm for each week’s calendar.

n events, which can be found on page A-2 each week), emails must be received no later than 5 pm Wednesday. For additional information contact Miss Hicks at The Newtown Bee, 203-426-3141.