Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield; 203-438-4519.

Through Feb 8: “Peggy Preheim: Little Black Book,” the museum exhibition to fully explore the wide range of Ms Preheim’s very delicate & intensely private work incl 75 drawings, paintings, sculptural objects & photos created between 1984-2007.

Through Feb 14: “The Soul – Journey to America,” huge freestanding paper sculpture (14+ ft tall, approx 650 pounds) by the Korean artist Kwang-Young Chun.

Through Feb 14: “Full Circle: Ten Years of Radius,” anniversary celebration of successful professional artist development program presented by the Aldrich that has jumpstarted many careers will incl work by14 previous Radius artists.

Through Feb 14: “The Silent Echo Chamber,” multiscreen video installation by award-winning comedic actor,writer, musician & radio host Harry Shearer.

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through Jan 31: “Two Generations of Artists,” quilts by the Newtown quilter Mary Eddy (“The Jelly Bean Quilter”) & dry brush paintings by her father, Benjamin Palagonia of Sherman.

In first floor display cases — *(new show) Through Feb 20: “The Wonderful World of Miniatures,” tiny dioramas from found & purchased objects created by Martha Bishop.

Discovery Museum and Planetarium, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport; 203-372-3521.

Through Jan 25: “How To Make A Monster: The Art and Technology of Animatronics,” secrets behind movie creatures & how they get made incl original concept, storyboard, maquettes & full size sculptures & moldings incl Inspector Gadget, Abominable Snowman, gorillas from George of the Jungle 2, aliens from Pitch Black & others; Jan 19, open for Martin Luther King Jr Day.

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

*(new show) Jan 18-June 30: “Made of Thunder, Made of Glass: American Indian Beadwork of the Northeast,” 100+ intricately Native Amderican beaded bags, purses & hats from 1800-1900, during an era when Native Americans responded to growth of tourism & desire of Euro-Americans for stylish native American crafts, from collection of Gerry Biron & Jo Anne Russo, also portraits by Mr Biron of Native People adorned w/ images of the beadwork; Jan 18, opening reception, 1-3 pm.

*(new show) Jan 18-June 30: “Beadwork of the Plains,”  Plains Indian beadwork dating from late 1800s to early 1900s revealing geometric designs & images of spiritual power & personal strength, also distinct regional & tribal characteristics.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, New Haven, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-865-0400.

Through Feb 1: “Nativities of Europe: Folk Art to Fine Art,” approx 90 crèches from across Europe borrowed from 3 American collections as well as 24-ft wide diorama from Naples.

Through Feb 1: “Christmas in Connecticut: Nativities in New Haven, Hamden and Middletown,” Nativities by students from Sacred Heart Academy featuring Hamden’s contemporary landmarks & historic places w/ Holy Family in midst of snow covered diorama, and another by students of Xavier High School, placing birth of Jesus in middle of historic river port city circa 1930s, and third scene depicting Christmas in New Haven circa 1882 w/ Holy Family next to St Mary’s Church.

Mattatuck Museum Art & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury; 203-753-0381.

Through March 22: “Lest We Forget: Images of the Civil Rights Movement,” compelling presentation of work by the late Woodbury artist Robert Templeton, who devoted two-plus decades to creating portraits of those who personified the Civil Rights Movement.

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

Through Feb 23: “Birds From The Hand,” works on paper by Audrey Anastasi & sculpture by Deborah Menzell Dressler.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven; 203-432-5050.

Through Feb 22: “Jungles: Photographs by Frans Lanting,” 45 photos shot over 20-year period by master renowned wildlife photographer Frans Lanting, shot in some of the most mysterious & remote locations on earth, capturing beauty, manic pace, wonder & fragility of the planet’s “forgotten Edens.”

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford; 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

Through Jan 25: “Who Was Anna Tuels? Quilt Stories, 1750-1900,” celebration of quilting’s history from 18th & 19th Centuries in America, featuring famed “Anna Tuels” quilt, believed to be earliest dated American pieced quilt in existence, also items from museum’s permanent collection focusing on history of ownership & what quilting tells us about the lives of women in the past.

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

In Main Galleries: Through Jan 24: “Young Talent,” works by emerging artists incl Anastasia Alexandrin, Nathaniel Cardonsky, Renee Lynn Hartig, Amy Lincoln, Beth Livensperger, Aaron Lubrick, Robert Vanderpool & Aaron Von Seggern.

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

*(new show) Jan 24-April 18: first of 3 group shows this year to celebrate gallery’s 15th anniv will feature artists who have had solo exhibitions in gallery since space opened incl Mary Lou Alberetti, Joy Brown, Ann Holmes, the late Leslie James Jacobs, Jack Lardis, Jean Linville, Janet McKenzie, Jeffrey Stark, Missy Stevens & Mary Thompson; Jan 24, opening reception & lecture, 1:30 pm, “Creative Myths & Monsters” presentation by artist & author Julia Cameron.

 

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Greater Waterbury Youth Symphony, at Kennedy High School,  442 Highland Ave, Waterbury. Call 203-525-3939.

Jan 17: Open House, 10:30 am-noon, young musicians, teachers & public invited to attend group’s final rehearsal prior to Jan 24 winter concert to meet current members & directors, call phone # above or visit GWYS.org for addt’l info.

Newtown Choral Society, at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown. Call 426-3769.

Jan 28: Open rehearsal, 7 pm, singers invited to join members of non-audition choir, which has openings in all sections, for consideration of 22nd season.

SCAN Color In January, at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 203-938-3999.

Jan 22: Receiving for 2009 Color in January Show & Sale, 3-6 pm (call if weather doubtful), open to all SCAN members (membership $20, available during receiving & open to any practicing artist of the region), entry fee $15 for up to 3 works (incl work on stretched canvas w/ finished edges) incl oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, graphics & mixed media, all work must be offered for sale, 20% of sales go to SCAN, contact show chair Pam Reese for details & prospectus.

Stage Door Productions, at Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 470-7528.

Jan 20: Auditions for musical revue A Night at The Oscars, 7-10 pm, producer & director Karen Randazzo seeking non-Equity male & female older teens & adults who can sing & move well, bring sheet music or music only CD w/ song of choice, wear comfortable shoes, also bring resume, headshot helpful, show dates Feb 27-28 & March 1 & 6-8, call above phone # or send email to StageDoorCT@aol.com for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Jan 16: Organist George Swope at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, freewill offering accepted, performance will incl works of Boehm, Bach, Reger, Mendelssohn, Reinberger & Franck, reception to follow; 426-9070.

Jan 17: Greater Waterbury Youth Symphony (GWYS) Open House, Kennedy High School, 442 Highland Ave, Waterbury, 10:30 am-noon, young musicians, teachers & public invited to attend group’s final rehearsal prior to Jan 24 winter concert to meet current members & directors; 203-525-3939.

Jan 17: FairWest Swing Project’s 4th Anniversary Swing Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, doors open 7:15 pm, dance lesson 7:30, dancing 9 pm-midnights, adm $20, $15 students, very beginner friendly, no partner required; 203-522-5341.

Jan 25: Doug Hartline & Friends in concert, Long Ridge United Methodist Church, 193 Long Ridge Rd, Danbury, 3 pm, free adm, performance of traditional music & church hymns played in jazz, folk & country styles by guitarist & composer Doug Hartline, keyboardist Nick Bariluk, bassist George Skidd & special guest Ginny Hartline on vocals, freewill offering will be divided between Daily Bread Food Pantry & Community Action Committee of Danbury (also a food pantry), reception to follow; 744-2337.

Jan 25: “A Concert for Youngsters of All Ages,” Danbury Symphony Orchestra at Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance will incl works of Reinecke (w/ guest flutist Eun Sun Choi) & Gould’s Tap Dance Concerto (w/ gust tap dancer Devin Johnson), also performances by Danbury High School Symphony & Concert Bands; 748-1716 (Danbury Music Centre).

Jan 28: Newtown Choral Society open rehearsal, Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown, 7 pm, singers invited to join members of non-audition choir, which has openings in all sections, for consideration of 22nd season; 426-3769.

For Kids & Families _________

Jan 17: Norwalk Symphony Orchestra: (Not) Just for Kids – Percussion, Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 2 pm, children ages 3-10 & families invited to experience hands-on participation w/ percussion instruments; 203-762-3950.

Jan 24: Chinese New Year Festivities, Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury, 1-4 pm, free activities for families & individuals of all ages incl drop-in crafts, performances of The Monkey King, children’s folk dance, tae kwondo, face painting & more; 797-4505 (if bad weather), 796-1631 (info in advance).

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

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Jan 27, Creative Chocolates for Valentine’s Day, 3-5 pm (snow date Feb 3), $6 supply fee payable at program (registration required, however), grades 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for annual program, space limited;

Miscellaneous ___________

Jan 17: Psychic Winter Healing Festival, University of Connecticut Agricultural Center, 69 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, tarot, past life, medium, angelic, health & astrology readers, reiki, shamballa & energy work healders, aura photographer available; 426-9448.

Jan 19: “Birds of Prey,” Housatonic Group of Sierra Club meeting, Brookfield Library (use lower side entrance), 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 7:30 pm, free presentation by Hope Douglas (Wings Over Wings) will include live hawks, owls & other birds of prey as part of monthly meeting, non-members welcome; 775-9644.

Jan 20: Naugatuck Valley Audubon Society monthly meeting, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 7:30 pm, suggested donation $7 adult, $4 student/children, presentation by The Wolf Conservation Center will feature special guest Atka, an Arctic Gray Wolf; 203-925-8915.

Jan 21: “The Story of the Peter Paul Candy Company in Naugatuck,” Naugatuck Historical Society, 195 Water St (train station), Naugatuck, 6:30 pm, free presentation by Town Historian Sandra Clark to incl story of the company’s founding in early 1900s & will incl vintage footage of assembly line; 203-729-9039.

Jan 23: Dinner & Comedy: Buddy Fitzpatrick & Marion Grodin at the Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, tickets $30 (reservations required), buffet dinner 6:30-8 pm (cash bar), performances begin 8:30, presented by & benefit for Stage Door Productions; 470-7528.

Jan 24: “Blood and Guts: Ground Squirrel Defenses to Rattlesnake Predation,” Western CT State University Science Building Room 219, Osborne St at Dr James Roach Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, free lecture by Fairfield Univ Assistant Prof of Biology & environmental toxicology specialist Dr James Biardi will concern his research into the effects of squirrel evolutionary history & ecological context on defense to venomous predators, continues  2008-09 WCSU Research Seminar Series, reception to follow; 837-8793.

Jan 24-Feb 1: Annual SCAN Color in January Show & Sale, Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 10 am-5 pm, free, annual exhibition of works by members of Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN), painting demos each Sat-Sun at 12:30 (Jan 25, acrylic by Dick McEvoy; Jan 25, acrylic by Anda Styler; Jan 31, oil landscape by Rick Daskam; Feb 1, floral watercolor by Adele Moros), also opening reception Jan 24 2-4 pm; 203-938-3999 (show chair Pam Reese).

Jan 25: “The Power of Kirtan and Chanting in Creating World Peace,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free program led by Sarita Valentine & Sachin Hazen will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 263-2254.

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

Misc programs, free unless noted: Jan 22, Is Your Christmas Puppy Leaving You Presents? 7- 8:30 pm, tips & tricks for dealing w/ housebreaking, chewing, jumping & other common puppy problems.

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

(FILM) Jan 16-22: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa (PG), Fri-Sun 7 & 9 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Mon 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Jan 17, screening of Native American Healing in the 21st Century, 2 pm, documentary looks at Native American secrets of healthy life through traditional healing methods & how same plants & herbs are playing role in natural remedies & solutions today; Jan 24, Winter Walk, 12:30 pm, $8 adults ($6 members), $4 children, join Jamie Leffler for 2-hour program to learn about animals of the area, creating fire from friction & other winter survival skills.

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

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am (spring & fall start),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 17, Silver Sands Beach Walk, Milford, easy hike (Ray Falk, 203-520-3793); Jan 24, Flanders Nature Center, Woodbury, easy hike (Ildiko Gramling, 203-263-0086).

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

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

Jan 30-31: Grease at Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, curtain Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $14 students & seniors, cast of 72 actors (grade 7-college age) will be accompanied by 6-pc band for full, professional performance by Sabrina’s Encore Productions, LLC; 304-1236.

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

Coming Home, through Feb 8, curtain Tues-Wed & Sun 7 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed & Sat 2 pm, Sat 3 pm, tickets $32-$62; call for special programming.

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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.

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 for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.