Antiques Shows______

Jan 1: Glastonbury Antiques & Collectibles Gala New Year’s Show, Glastonbury High School, Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 9 am-4:30 pm, adm $6, 130 dealers from New England, NY & RI; 860-342-2540.

Jan 8-9: 47th Papermania Plus, Hartford Civic Center, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $6 (seniors half price on Sun), 160 exhibitors, appraisals (Sun 10 am-2 pm, free); 860-563-9975.

Jan 8-9: Stamford Vintage Clothing, Jewelry & Textile Show & Sale, Sheraton Hotel, 2701 Summer St, Stamford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $8, 80+ booths; 914-248-4646.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Thurs & Sat-Sun 1-5 pm, Fri 12-8 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through Jan 5: “David Opdyke: 2004 Aldrich Emerging Artist Award Exhibition,” new work loaded w/ satire by this year’s winner of museum’s largest single award.

Through Jan 5: “Shahzia Sikander: Nemesis,” new digital work incl recent animations, drawings & a site-specific installation by the Pakistani artist.

Through Jan 5: “Aldrich at The Movies,” short video works by Robert Arnold, Marco Brambillo, Jeanne Dunning, Jenny Perlin, Shannon Plumb & Shahzia Sikander, the videos were first screened prior to features at Bethel Cinema & Garden Cinema (in Norwalk) while the Aldrich was closed last year & earlier this year for renovation & expansion.

Through April 10: “Bottle: Contemporary Art and Vernacular Tradition,” exploration of the use of the bottle as a poetic container, the nature of the bottle as a spiritual space & its use as a container for liquor offered through works by 25 artists & selections from various bottle collections; Jan 12, Brown Bag Tour, 11 am-1 pm, $5, docent-led tour of exhibition, BYO lunch, museum provides coffee/tea & dessert.

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun 12-4:30 pm. Call 203-331-1104.

Through Jan 2: “Victorian Christmas Traditions,” special exhibition educates about early American trees that were decorated w/ fruit, nut, candles, cookies & small handmade trinkets given as gifts on Christmas morning.

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs-Sat 12-9 pm, Sun 11-4 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

Through Jan 8: “Winter Magic,” fine arts and crafts by area artists.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-869-0376.

Through Jan 30: “Drawn By The Brush: Oil Sketches by Peter Paul Rubens,” exploration of the central role oil sketches played in Rubens’ creative process & his career through presentation of quick paintings the artist used in preparation for larger & more detailed paintings, murals, tapestries & altarpieces, is first exhibition in the country ever to focus solely on Rubens’ oil sketches (note: there is a $15 special exhibition fee for adm into this show).

Connecticut Historical Society, One Elizabeth St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-236-5621.

Through June 5: “Are We Clean Yet? A Light-Hearted Look at The Pursuit of Cleanliness Over Two Centuries,” exploration of CT’s contribution to the American pursuit of cleanliness through artifacts incl early 20th C washing machines, floor sweepers & bathroom “ingenuities” next to their modern counterparts, also family interactives & vintage videos; Jan 11, “History’s Urban Pack Rats: The Collyer Brothers,” 7-8 pm, $6 (RSVP requested), author Franz Lidz (Ghosty Men: The Strange But True Story of The Collyer Brothers, New York’s Greatest Hoarders) will discuss the legendary “Hermits of Harlem” who filled their 4-story mansion w/ 180 tons of “stuff,” from newspapers to a dismantled Model T.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-5 pm, Tues & Wed 10 am-8 pm, Thurs 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm. Call 261-0134.

Through Jan 18: wood carvings by Newtown residents Wayne Smith & Carol Keyt.

Fairfield Historical Society, 636 Old Post Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun 1-4:30 pm. Call 203-259-1598.

Through Jan 17: “For What It’s Worth,” history of money in Fairfield & surrounding counties from Colonial times to Civil War era presents coins & currency, also info on bartering & counterfeiting.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through Jan 16: “Anna Held Audette: Painter of Ruins of Our Time,” also recent sculpture by David Burt.

Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Hours: Thurs-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-577-2181.

Through March: “Yesterday’s Trucks, Tomorrow’s Memories,” commemorative watercolors by Brian Colbath.

Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm, Sun 12-10 pm. Call 203-266-4663.

Through Feb 7: “Paintings & Etchings,” works by the CT artist Richard Carleton offering “a visual epiphany” of diverse images by an artist who likes his works to look like they have been done by a number of different people (rather than following a structured identifying style).

Through Feb 7: glassware by the Vermont craftsman Michael Egan, who offers selections w/ distinctive artistic design on platters, pitchers, bowls & vases (encore presentation of Mr Egan’s holiday 2003 show).

Housatonic Museum of Art/Burt Chernow Galleries at Housatonic Community College, 90 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 8:30 am-5:30 pm (Thurs until 7 pm), Sat 9 am-3 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-332-5000.

Through Jan 14: “Michael Hafftka, A Retrospective: Large Oils, 1985-2003,” large-scale works that are seen as both references to a tortured world of suffering & also to the experience of harmony & beauty.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven. Hours: Labor Day to May 1, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm; May 2 to Labor Day, daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-772-2130.

Through Jan 9: “Jerusalem and The Holy Land Rediscovered,” 90 tinted & hand-colored lithographs of the Scottish painter David Roberts evoking the artist’s journey to the Holy Land & its sites during the 1830s, on loan from Duke University.

Through Jan 9: “Creating St Peter’s: Architectural Treasures of The Vatican,” exhibit of treasures from the Vatican includes Michelangelo’s 16-foot tall hand crafted study model for the dome of St Peter’s Basilica, also 140+ related items incl a scale model of “old St Peter’s (the ancient basilica that predated the current church), the 18th Century model used to plan the illumination of the façade, 17th Century engravings, papal portraits, a 16th Century compass believed to have been used by Michelangelo, winches used to raise the massive obelisk that still stands in front of St Peters & more, many never before shown in public.

Through Jan 9: “Restoring The Maderno Atrium: The Photography of Mallio Falcioni,” artistic photos by Mr Falcioni that document the delicate & diligent restoration of stuccoes & statues in The Atrium of The Vatican Temple (designed & completed by Carlo Maderno) in the months prior to Great Jubilee Year of 2000.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Hours: daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-852-0700.

Through Jan 18: “2004 Holiday Lighthouse Display,” fun & imaginative lighthouse models by regional artists & crafters, with visitors invited to cast votes on their favorites.

Mark Twain House & Museum Center, 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford. Hours: 9:30 am-5:30 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-247-0998.

Through Jan 10: “Victorian Holiday Traditions Celebrated at The Mark Twain House,” 19-room mansion has been decorated in Victorian style, as it would have been for Twain family holiday celebrations ca 1874-1981, when author, wife & family lived in the house.

Through Jan 30: “Writers Unbound: The Photography of Jill Krementz,” black & white photos of more than 60 famed authors at work incl Updike, Williams, King, Tan, Morrisson, Dr Seuss, E.B. White, et al, by one of the country’s most celebrated portrait photographers.

Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-753-0381.

Through Jan 16: “Magic and Spirit,” short-term exhibit will offer glimpse into works of 3 “exciting & colorful artists” who have lived or worked in CT recently – Lois Livingston McMillen, Imna Arroyo and Carey McDougall.

Miller Studio & Gallery/Beaux Arts Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 12-4:30 pm. Call 203-263-3939.

Through Jan 15: “Black Tie: Exquisite Small Works,” 18 original small-scale paintings by well-known area artists incl Robert Crawford, Joy Bristol, Thomas Adkins, Judith Andrew, Tom Yost, Helene Brier, Robert Holden, Ella Knox, John Schieffer, Katrina Schmidt-Rinke, David Heskes & Mary Whyte, with each work coupled w/ custom frame designed & built by gallery owner P.H. Miller.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Sat 10 am-2 pm, Mon & Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through Jan 12: “Black, White & Gray,” photography by Judith Patrovich incl many of state’s landscapes, portrait sculpture by Philip Grausman.

New Haven Colony Historical Society, 114 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 12-5 pm (museum library open Wed-Fri 10-5 only). Call 203-562-4183.

Through Jan 15: “Substance & Style: Margaret Fitch Brewster and The Emergence of The Modern Society Woman,” celebration of a New Haven society woman (1884-1963) who found inspiration & influence in many charitable organizations & cultural movements that she participated in & helped establish during her lifetime.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery (formerly Grey Horse Gallery), 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Thurs 7-9 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Paintings by Rainie Crawford, Frank Federico, Leslie Lillien Levy, Dick McEvoy, Alain J. Picard & Peter Seltzer, sculpture by Sterett-Gittings Kelsey.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Wed-Fri 11 am-5 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm. Hours. Call 860-278-2670.

Through Jan 2: “Ballets Russes To Balanchine: Dance at The Wadsworth Atheneum,” tribute to centennial of the great ballet choreographer offers 80+ works of art, nearly 25 costumes, plus archival material & photographs reasserts thrilling originality & brilliance of Balanchine’s theatrical productions.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

*(new show) Jan 8-30: “Young Talent Show 2005,” prints inspired by experiences in intense thunderstorms by Michael Alberetti, oil paintings by Catherine Balco, paintings by Steven Budington & Trent Miller, works by Jason Buening & Erin Raedeke, sculpture by Dana Filbert, & digital works by Jacqueline Sweeney; Jan 8, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

In Upstairs Gallery: Through Dec 31: regional landscapes in gouache by South Kent artist Mary Miner depicting scenes in Kent, Washington & New Preston.

Wilton Art Gallery & Framing, 379 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-762-8311.

Through Jan 31: “Into The Light,” stained glass works by Carol Engelson & paintings by Diana Wege.

Wooster Community Art Center, 73 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury. Gallery hours: M-F 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Call 744-4825.

*(new show) Jan 4-Feb 28: “WSAC Faculty Art Exhibit,” paintings, sculpture, photography & ceramics by Wooster School Art Center faculty members Deborah Phillips Chodoff, Marla Cromwell, Katie Tynan Helu, Lisa Longobardo, Janice Mauro, Bobbi Mullen, Lee Rogers, Bettina Sementilli, Alexander Shundi, et al.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-2800.

Through Jan 2: “The Beauty of Life: William Morris and The Art of Design,” examination of Morris’ place in the history of 19th Century design through nearly 200 works incl original designs for stained glass, wallpaper, textiles, embroidery & tapestry

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

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

Jan 3-4: Auditions for Kimberly Akimbo, 7-9 pm, need 2 men (16-late 30s) & 3 women (30s-60s) for production of David Linsday-Abaire’s comedy, all roles available, professionals & amateurs welcome, auditions will be readings from script, no appts needed, rehearsals will begin mid-Jan (usu Mon-Thurs eves), run will be weekends Feb 18-March 19.

 

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Jan 6: The Harold Zinno Quintet at The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30-8 pm, $7, quintet will be joined by guest vocalist Nicole Pasternack in kicking off 2005’s First Thursdays series – museum’s monthly after-hours event featuring live music & refreshments, galleries also open for visits; 203-753-0381 x20.

Jan 7: 4th Annual Holiday Concert, Trinity Episcopal Church, 30 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $30 (must be purchased in advance, no tickets will be sold at door), Newtown resident Richard Serbagi will conduct The Concert Society of Putnam & Northern Westchester, guests incl soprano Maria Ferrante, violinist Eric Lewis, oboist John Hanulik, program will incl Vivaldi’s Four Seasons; 426-4533.

Jan 8: NUMC Coffee House, 7:45–10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Road, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate Misc listing), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-0617.

Jan 9: The Artemis Trio at Post University’s MacDermid Hall, 800 Country Club Rd, Waterbury, 1 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students, $5 ages 12 & under, program of works by Brahms, Glinka & Nino Rota is sponsored by Greater Waterbury Classic Concerts; 203-754-5590.

 

Films _________________

Jan 28: Indigo, Maron Hotel, 42 Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, 1, 4 & 7 pm, $10, special screening of film is sponsored by Trinity Productions; 426-9448, 845-279-2763.

Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 778-2100.

Dec 31-Jan 6: A Very Long Engagement (R), daily 6:40 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 3:55 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 3:55 pm; Bad Education (NC-17), daily &;10 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 4:20 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4:20 pm;  Finding Neverland (PG), daily 7:25 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 5:15 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1, 3:05 & 5:15 pm; Sideways (R), daily 6:50 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 4:05 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4:05 pm.

Third Annual Young Foundation Film Festival, screenings at noon, free (tickets must be picked up or reserved in advance): Jan 9, Hitmakers: The Teens Who Stole Pop Music.

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

Jan 2-6: Sky Captain & The World of Tomorrow (PG), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Call 203-852-0700.

Through Jan 2: Roar: Lions of The Kalahari, daily 11 am, noon, 2 & 3 pm.

Through Jan 13: Forces of Nature, Mon-Fri 1, 2 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, noon, 1, 2 3 & 4 pm.

Through Jan 13: Forces of Nature and Flight of the Aquanaut double feature, Fri-Sun 7 pm.

 

 

For Kids & Families _________

Jan 16: Children’s Squeaky Clean Fun Day, CT Historical Society Museum, One Elizabeth St (at corner Asylum Ave), Hartford, 2-4 pm, free afternoon of events incl making soap crayons to take home, coincides w/ current “Art We Clean Yet?” exhibition, RSVP requested; 860-236-5621 x238.

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

Snow White and The Seven Dwarves, Jan 8-Feb 27, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Dec 31: 29th Annual Brookfield Craft Center Holiday Exhibition & Sale, BCC campus, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, handcrafter work by more than 200 American artists in jewelry, pottery, glassware, wearables plus functional & decorative craftwork for home & office; 775-4526.

Through Dec 31: Annual Hands-On Train Display, New Milford Train Station, Railroad St, New Milford, daily 12-4 pm, free display of model trains, villages & tiny figures dressed in winter finery set up on 2 tables& featuring nearly 100 ft of track, also hands-on opportunities to control some of the trains; 860-354-6080.

Dec 31: 16th Annual First Night Danbury, CityCenter Danbury, 5 pm-midnight, $10 adults, $7 ages 12 & under& seniors, 20+ venues will offer drug & alcohol-free events & activities for all ages incl skating at Danbury Ice Arena, live music, refreshments, much more; 792-1711.

Dec 31: “Stand Up & Count Down: 9th Annual New Year’s Eve Comedy Event,” Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park, Plank Rd, Waterbury, shows at 6:30 (tickets $40) & 9:30 (tickets $60 & incl midnight champagne toast & catered buffet), Peter Fogel will headline performances by Fran Capo, Judy Cianciotto & Denis Donohue; 203-757-4676.

Dec 31: CT ConTacts New Year’s Eve Singles Party, Colonial Tavern, Hawley Rd (off Rte 67), Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), dinner & dessert buffets, no jeans, presented by Connecticut ConTacts; 203-468-1144.

Jan 1: CT ConTacts New Year’s Day Singles Party, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), dinner & dessert buffets, casual dress OK for this event, presented by Connecticut ConTacts; 203-468-1144.

Jan 2: Baseball Card & Sport Memorabilia Show, Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-2:30 pm, adm $3 adults, 99 CENTS ages 10 & under, special appearance by Hall of Famer Bob Feller (12-1 pm), also dealers from 5 states w/ sports cards, vintage cards, new sets, wax boxes, supplies & related collectibles; 364-1209.

Jan 2: “Post Holiday Stress: Revitalize And Renew – Yoga Postures for Revitalizing and Renewing Yourself in the New Year,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program led by yoga teacher, massage therapist (etc) Marianne Addonizio will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Jan 2-4: Art exhibition by NHS student Nicole Kaza, South Main Deli, 150 South Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, artist’s reception Sun at 2 pm, works will be on view Mon & Tues during regular business hours, public invited to meet NHS artist Nicole Kaza (Sun, during reception) & see her eclectic works of art (incl pencil sketches, 3-D self-portrait, ink & implied line works, paintings, sketches & mixed media works).

Jan 3: Natural History Walk at Bent of the River Audubon Center, 185 East Flat Hill Rd (off Rte 172, near South Britain General Store), South Britain, 9-11 am, free, center’s education director, Ellen Turner, will lead leisurely paced walk to view the nature preserve in its winter glory, wear suitable footwear & clothing for being outdoors for a few hours; 264-5098.

Jan 3: BookTalk, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, discussion of Jane Juska’s A Round-Heeled Woman will incl video interview of the author w/ Charlie Rose, all welcome; 264-1716, 262-6123.

Jan 7-9: Otome-Bunraku puppetry performance at TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford, Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $15, encore presentation of ancient Japanese art form by Masaya Kiritake, who played to sold-out capacity at theater Nov 2003; 860-350-6863.

Jan 8: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner incl salad, desserts, and soft drinks/coffee raises funds each month for church, all welcome, coffee house/musical event follows (see separate Concerts listing); 426-0617.

Jan 8: Church of the Good Shepherd Indoor Flea Market, 680 Racebrook Rd (at corner of Shepherd Lane, betw Post Rd & Rte 34), Orange, 8 am-2 pm, wide variety of vendors, refreshments also available; 203-934-4446.

Jan 8: Alliance Française Café Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for conversations in French on various topics, speakers of all levels welcome, topics vary from simple chit-chat to discussions focused on French culture, history or news, call if weather questionable; 262-0626.

Jan 9: “Venez Fêter Les Rois,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1-3 pm, free, pubic invited to join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for celebration of The Feast of Kings, afternoon of bridge, Scrabble & socializing in French, speakers of all levels welcome, light refreshments, reservations requested; 426-4533, 203-263-4096.

Jan 9: New Year Psychic Fair, Maron Inn, Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, 11 am-6 pm, free adm, readings by area psychics, clairvoyants, astrologers, tarot & gemstone readers, vendors on site; 470-1806.

Jan 9: 2005 Danbury Bowling Assn Singles Scratch Tournament, Lore Lanes, 145-D Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, begins 1 pm (check-in by noon), sanctioned by American Bowling Congress; 860-350-2695.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave **temporarily at 137 Greenwood Ave (in building w/ Hauser Chocolate), Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Free public programs: Jan 11, monthly book discussion, 7 pm, discussion of Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451, newcomers welcome.

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

Programs free unless noted: Jan 4, Non-Fiction Book Group meeting, 1 pm, discussion of article on “Cheap Oil” from June 2004 National Geographic, newcomers welcome; Jan 9, Alliance Francaise of NW CT Feast of the Kings Celebration, 1-4 pm, all levels of French speakers (& non-French speakers) invited to join members of AFNC for celebraation incl coffee, tea & pastries, board games in French & conversation; Jan 10, Daytime Book Group meeting, 1 pm, discussion of The Virgin Blue by Tracy Chevalier, newcomers welcome.

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

Wednesday Lecture Series, around 7:45 pm (follows brief general meeting), free, guest speakers & topics follow: Jan 5, “Dr Zhivago: Steam in the Snow” by J.W. Swanberg; Jan 12, historic slides by Ron Smith.

Flagpole Photographers, C.H. Booth Library meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 364-1719, 426-0558.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: Jan 20, print discussion led by Jim Parsons, members’ print competition w/ architecture theme.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897 or 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Jan 8, Huntington State Park, Redding – hike, ski, or snowshoe (leader is Gloria Bellofatto, 730-9367); Jan 15, New York City, Museum of Natural History, leaders are Molly Schleis, and Al and Maria Stone (203-263-2829), RSVP by Jan 8, group will meet in Newtown at 10 am and carpool to train station, BYO lunch, also money for museum entrance fee, dinner & train fare, dinner will be out betw 6-6:15 pm, group will walk to the museum from the train station.

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

Sacred Grounds/Trinity Productions workshops, 24 Alpine Circle, Sandy Hook, or Brookfield Commons, 246 Federal Rd, Suite C-23A, Brookfield (call for location), or by appt, or in-home by appt. Call 426-9448.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: Jan 7, Touched By Angels with Kathanna Knapp.

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

Observation area open Dec 26-March 17, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6654.

Meetings 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Jan 12, oil program by guest artist Kevin Conklin.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6224.

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6-8 pm (weigh-ins 6-6:45, meetings 7-8), meetings $2/week, membership $20/year.

Tarrywile Park, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury. Call 744-3130.

Guided hikes, free, cancelled if heavy rain, wear rugged, sturdy shoes, bring water, bug spray & light snack, pre-registration requested: Jan 8, 9 am, 3-hour hike; Jan 15, 9 am, 2-hour hike.

Wednesday Night Poetry, Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 270-6202 (Michael Seri), 748-2828 (BAJ).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: Jan 7, one-hour writing workshop & welcome back open mic.

Theatre ______________

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

Sugar Babies: The Burlesque Musical, through Feb 6, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $37.50-$45.50.

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

Singing Forest, Jan 5-Feb 6 (previews Jan 5-11, opening night Jan 12), curtain Tues 7 pm, Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $30-$60; Jan 6, “Backstage with The Artistic Director,” 7 pm, pre-performance candid discussion w/ Craig Lucas (moderated by Gordon Edelstein).

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

Anthony Neilson’s The Night Before Christmas, Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala, 8 pm, tickets $30 & incl hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

*******************

Events that appear by date have Newtown events 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, Arts Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 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.