Antiques Shows______

Saturdays: Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, Rte 6 near Rte 64, Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week, event runs weekly through mid-Dec; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec 19): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1.

Aug 13-14: Pine Point School Antiques Show & Sale, Barnes Rd, Stonington, Fri 11 am-6 pm (early buying 10 am, $10), Sat 10 am-5 pm, adm $4.50, 50 selected dealers, proceeds to benefit Pine Point Parents Assn; 860-536-7729.

Aug 14: 31st Annual Exchange Club of Madison Antiques Exhibit & Sale, on the green, Post Rd/Rte 1, Madison, 9:30 am-4:30 pm (early buying 8:30 am, $10); 203-245-7139.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room: Through Aug 27, representational paintings by the Sandy Hook artist Susan V. Snow.

Brookfield Historical Society, Rtes 133 & 25, Brookfield Center. Hours: Sat 12-4 pm, also by appt & by chance (when museum flag is displayed). Call 740-8140.

Through Aug 31, “Inner Space To Outer Space.”

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

*(new show) Aug 14-April 10, 2005, “Great Women, Great Science,” family-friendly show invites visitors to explore the discoveries, the lives & work of 4 female pioneers in science – chemist & physicist Marie Curie, astronomer Annie Jump Cannon, geologist Inge Lehmann & geneticist Barbara McClintock – through hands-on activities, also personal objects, scientific instruments, photos, video clips & archival audio recordings.

The Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-372-3521.

Through Sept 17, “Maze-A-Palooza,” 2,500-sq-ft exhibit offers fun & science of optical illusions w/ 30 optical effects hidden throughout life-size maze, visitors invited to negotiate maze & solve puzzles while finding way back out.

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 Aug 31, “Fields of Gossamer,” photographs by Connecticut artist Lucy Sander Sceery.

Flanders Nature Center Welcome Center, Church Hill at Flanders Rd, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3711.

Through Aug 30, “In The Natural State: The Nude in the Art of Natalie Van Vleck,” major exhibition of 21 works (paintings, drawings & woodcuts) by the founder of Flanders Nature Center offers works that comprise a significant proportion of Ms Van Vleck’s oeuvre.

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.

*(new show) Through Oct 4, “House and Garden,” recent multi-layered paintings by I.S. Levitz of commonplace subjects inspired by life experiences; Aug 15, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

*(new show) Through Oct 4, “Moment Captured,” original & eclectic photos by Charlie Heyman of landscape, architecture, still life & other subjects; Aug 15, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Grey Horse Gallery, 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34 (in old Masonic Temple, 1st floor; behind St John’s Episcopal Church), Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Permanent display of oils & pastels by Dick McEvoy.

Gunn Memorial Library Stairway Gallery, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green. Hours: Mon & Fri 9:30 am-5 pm, Tues & Thurs 9:30 am-8 pm, Sat 9:30 am-3 pm. Call 860-868-7756.

*(new show) Aug 14-Sept 25, murals, trompe l’oeil, classic & contemporary faux finishes & more by Matt Wood; Aug 14, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Handcrafter’s Haven, 40 Main St North/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-263-2111.

Through Aug 31, ink prints from woodblocks, painting & decoupage by Rosanne Verlezza; Aug 8, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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

Through Aug 29, “Edward S. Curtis: Photographs from the Matus Collection,” 34 framed & 7 matted images by Edward S. Curtis, one of the most celebrated photographers of Native Peoples, loaned from collection of Bernard & Nancy Matus.

Through Aug 31, “Northern Hunters and Fishermen: Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic, Sub-Arctic and Northwest Coast,” objects reflecting Native American peoples’ lives in, reliance on & respect for the plant & animal life that surrounded them in homes of northernmost North America.

Kent Art Assn, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Th-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 860-927-3989.

*(new show) Through Sept 6, “Annual President’s Show,” highlight of KAA’s 81st season incl 161 representational works in oil, acrylics, watercolors, pastels, graphics & small sculpture by artists of New England, NY & NJ.

Ridgefield Guild of Artists (RGA) Gallery, Halpin La, Ridgefield. Hours: Thurs-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-438-8863.

*(new show) Aug 15-Sept 12, “Portraits & Figures,” annual exhibit of works by members of RGA’s life drawing & painting groups; Aug 15, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-5 pm NEW HOURS EFFECTIVE SEPT 1: Wed-Fri 11 am-5 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm. Hours. Call 860-278-2670.

Through Aug 15, “Epitome of Elegance: The Kay Hoffman Fashion Collection,” a glimpse into the wardrobe of one of Hartford’s fabulous fashion icons offers 20 garments incl evening gowns, cocktail dresses, smart suits & day dresses.

Through Oct 3, “Childe Hassam and Connecticut Impressionism,” selection of CT & New England paintings & works on paper by one of the leading proponents of Impressionism, shown alongside works of contemporaries incl Willard Metcalf, John Twachtman, Henry Ward Ranger, Charles H. Davis, Emil Carlsen, et al; Sept 10, “Connecticut Impressionism: Stone by Stone,” gallery talk by Prof Robert Thorson (author, Stone by Stone: The Magnificent History of New England Stone Walls), noon; call for exhibition tours schedule (usually Sat 1 pm, Sun 2:30 pm)

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

Through Aug 29, “Vibrant,” paintings by Pam Cardwell, Deborah Morris & Esme Thompson.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Visitor Center Hours: Jan 5-April 30 Thurs-Sun 9:30 am-4 pm, May 1-Jan 4 Wed-Sun 8:30 am-5 pm. Call 203-834-1896.

*(new show) Through Sept 26, “Artists At Weir Farm: Ann Huey,” paintings by 2001 Weir Farm artist-in-residence Ann Huey incl one lg wall pc consisting of 144 views of Weir Farm.

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 Aug 24, “Travels,” digital photographs taken in Italy, Washington (state), Oregon & Maine by Wilton High School senior Robbie Bailer.

Wilton Historical Society/Wilton Heritage Museum, 224 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-4 pm, some Sundays 1-4 pm (call ahead). Call 203-762-7257.

Through Sept 1, “Folk Art On The Floor: Expressions of Women’s Lives,” antique rugs incl rare examples of 19th C & contemporary counterparts made by women following the tradition of earlier generations, works by well-known artisans as well as works by regional & local women (note: new rugs were put on view after mid-July); Aug 22, “Care, Repair & Mounting of Hooked Rugs,” 2 pm, 1-4 pm, evaluation of rugs brought in, call for fee details.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-6 pm, Tues-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

Through Aug 28, “The 60th Annual Wilton Artists Summer Art Exhibition,” works by 50+ well-known artists & new talent incl oils, watercolors, pastels, drawings & sculpture.

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 Aug 22, “The Art of James Ward,” retrospective of one of finest animal, portrait & landscape painters of Regency England, drawn from YCBA’s collections of paintings, drawings, prints & manuscripts, offers viewers a rare opportunity to become acquainted w/ key works of the artist.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Masterpiece Tours of Permanent Collection every Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through Aug 15, “Stagestruck in America: Artists, Entertainers, and Audiences, 1906-1956,” celebration of YUAG’s acquisition of Shinn’s “The Orchestra Pit, Old Proctor’s Fifth Avenue Theatre” & Kuhn’s “Chorus Captain” couples those works w/ paintings, drawings, photos & prints from gallery’s collection sharing the glitzy allure of vaudeville, burlesque, music halls, jazz clubs & early movies incl works of Mabel Dwight, Walker Evans, Robert Frank, Lee Friedlander, Reginald Marsh & James Van Der Zee.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Aldrich Museum and Ridgefield Guild of Artists, Ridgefield. Call 203-428-4519.

Aug 27: Submissions due for “Radius: Professional Practice Series for Adults,” artists need to submit entry form, bio/résumé, artist’s statement, SASE, up to 8 works done within last 2 years, list of pertinent info regarding works, selections made by Sept 7, consultations w/ curator Oct 4-6 (by appt), group exhibition of selected artists will open Nov 13 at RGA gallery, visit www. AldrichArt.org/RadiusGuidelines for full details.

Bridgewater Fair Art Show, Bridgewater Firehouse, Rte 133, Bridgewater. Call 860-350-1409, 860-350-1121.

Aug 19: Entries sought for annual art show to be part of 53rd Annual Bridgewater Country Fair, receiving & registration 4-7 pm, all work must be original, work by adults must arrive properly framed, matted & ready to hang, children’s art should be matted (not necessary to have framed), accepting original works in oils, acrylics, pastels, watercolors, etchings, lithos, monotypes, monoprints & woodcuts, will be on view Aug 20-22, pick-up must be Aug 22 betw 6-7 pm, contact Classic Photography (first phone # above) or art show superintendent Pamela Hochstetter (second #) for addt’l info.

Diaz Memorial Video Festival, c/o Charter Communications, 11 Commerce Rd, Newtown. Call 860-350-4630, 860-354-8930.

Sept 15: Videos due for festival, awards in 2 age groups (students/ages 14-18 & adult), contact Charter for full competition details, winners will be announced in Nov, non-winning entries from last year may be resubmitted.

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

Aug 24: Open auditions for DCT Children’s Company, 7 pm, seeking adult lead actors & character actors ages 24-45 who sing & move well, also teen actors ages 13-18 who sing & move well (for ensemble roles), also one boy age 10-13 to lay Christopher Robin, no roles available for girls under age 13, be prepared w/ 2 songs (16 bars, uptempo & ballad), bring sheet music (accompanist provided), photo & resume, be ready to read from script & to learn simple dance combo, 2004-05 season will incl Phantom of the Opera, The Littlest Christmas Tree, Snow White, Little Engine That Could & Pooh!

Fairfield Kiwanis Fall Juried Arts & Crafts Fair, c/o Dick Miller, Fairfield. Call 203-259-0824.

Sept 18: Openings still available for crafters, 10 am-5 pm rain or shine, booths available at $75 for 10 x 10 ft or $135 for 10 x 20 ft, set-up begins 7 am, at Town Hall Green, 725 Old Post Rd, Fairfield.

Newtown Congregational Church Community Flea Market, at Fairfield Hills, off Wasserman Way, Newtown. Call 426-4174.

Aug 21-22: Spaces available for annual event, $35 each, organizers welcome groups w/ tag sale items, artists & crafters, vendors, etc, sale will run 9 am-4 pm each day, contact Barbara or Lee Field for details.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Aug 13: Chorus Concert at Rogers Park Middle School, 21 Memorial Dr, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free concert by Kids’ & Teens’ choruses, summer groups hosted by Danbury Music Centre, directed by Jonathan Pope, to incl spirituals, showtunes & more; 748-1716.

Aug 14: “Hot Summer Sounds of The World: The 11th Annual Summer Festival Chorus Concert,” Fairfield University’s Quick Center for the Arts, North Benson Rd, Fairfield, 7:30 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & children, performance by auditioned group directed by Carole Ann Maxwell will offer international program w/ works of British composer John Rutter, Tomás Luis Vittoria of Spain, music from New Zealand & contemporary arrangements of American folk songs; 203-254-4010.

Aug 17: “An Evening of Celebration: Christian Music Artist Martin Doman,” Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades La, Newtown, 6 pm, tickets $10, performance by energetic musician, songwriter, speaker, worship leader & proponent of Catholic renewal presented by St Rose of Lima Youth Group; 426-2572 x17.

Aug 17: The Frank Porto Band at Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, free performance of music from the 1930s-40s concludes 18th Annual Summer Sounds concert series, all welcome, bring blankets/seating; 426-5847.

Aug 17: Double Play at The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 7 pm, free performance by husband & wife tuba-flute duo Amy Ridings & Patrick Scianella offers works from Bach to Broadway w/ humorous & historical anecdotes, refreshments & seating provided, RSVP requested; 426-8118.

Aug 17: “Love & Knishes,” The Federation-Jewish Communities of Western CT, 444 Main St North, Southbury, $5.50, lunch at noon, program at 1, pianist King Bosworth, mezzo-soprano Meg Capen & violist David Vogel will perform works of Brahms, Rachmaninoff, Rossini, Richard Rodgers & more, reservations by Aug 12; 267-3177 x105.

Aug 18: Afrikan Drumming Concert at Rogers Park Middle School, 21 Memorial Dr, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free concert of traditional West Afrikan music directed by Ase-AmenRa Kariamu; 746-1716.

Aug 20: Summer Strings Concert at Rogers Park Middle School, 21 Memorial Dr, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free concert by students in Danbury Music Centre summer courses will incl variety of music of many styles & levels, performers range from children & teens to adults, directed by Larry Deming; 748-1716.

Aug 21: 11th Annual One Heart Festival, Danbury CityCenter Green, Patriot Dr & Ives St, Danbury, begins 7-10:30 pm, free adm, BYO chairs/blankets/seating (leave pets home), featuring performances by Justin McRoberts, DJ Maj, Holyfire, et al, rain location is Danbury High School (Clapboard Ridge Rd, doors will open 6:45); 770-8222.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-4519.

Stage A/Performance Art & Music Series: Aug 13, Nellie McKay, 8 pm, tickets $20.

Bethel Summer Concert Series, Bethel Municipal Center, 1 School St, Bethel.

Free concerts on center’s front lawn (indoors if rain), 6 pm, BYO seating, picnics welcome: Aug 15, Dan Stevens & The Fiery Band, Old Lyme-based blues guitarist who plays bottleneck slide & finger picks, backed by professional band, offers standards & originals; Aug 22, Striders Drum Corps.

Booth Library Concert Series, at The Pleasance, 1 Main St at Sugar Street (Rte 302), Newtown. Call 426-4533.

Summer Concert Series, free, 7 pm, concerts move to library’s meeting room if rain (25 Main St): Aug 13, River City Slim & The Zydeco Hogs, Hartford-based band “cooks up spicy musical gumbo that combines traditional sounds of button accordion and washboard with driving, syncopated beat.”

Ives Concert Park, WCSU westside campus, University Blvd, Danbury. Call 837-9226 (or TicketMaster, 744-8100).

2004 Summer Concert Series, shows 7:30 unless noted, all shows rain or shine, children’s lawn tickets $12 (ages 2 & under free/lawn), all tickets $3 higher day of show: Aug 13, Peter Frampton, opening set by Beth Hart, tickets $41 & $56 reserved, $26 adult lawn; Aug 22, Patty Loveless, opening set by Carolyn Dawn Johnson, tickets $36 & $51 reserved, $21 adult lawn.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Hours: daily 11 am-5 pm. Call 426-1533.

“Garden Jazz,” Sun through Oct 10, 1-4 pm rain or shine, $10 (reservations a must), enjoy intimate jazz performance & wine tastings in garden overlooking vineyards, non-alcoholic drinks also available.

Merryall Center for the Arts, Chapel Hill Rd (off Merryall Rd), New Milford. Call 860-354-7264.

Performances 8:30 pm (unless noted), tickets $15, season tickets available: Aug 22, Annual Jazz BBQ & Fundraiser, 4-7 pm, tickets $25, all are invited for BBQ style foods, live music by Housatonic Bixieland Jazz Band, raffle, proceeds benefit Merryall.

Sherman Chamber Ensemble. Call 860-355-6155.

Fri performances @St Andrew’s Church, North Main St, Kent; Sat performances @Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse, Rte 37 at Leach Hollow Rd, Sherman, tickets $20 adults, $15 students & seniors ($10 lawn seats available for Sat performances, free lawn seating for age 12 & under), series tickets $45: Aug 13-14, guest pianist Adrienne Kim will join ensemble for “intimate evening of trios” incl works of Goldmark, Dvorak (Trio #2, G minor, Op 26), Debussy trio arranged for flute, cello & piano, & sonata for flute by Copland; Sept 3-4, guest violinist PaulWoodiel will join SCE for works of Mendelssohn (Octet for strings), Rossini (flute quartet) & other works.

Films _________________

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

Aug 13-19: De-Lovely (PG-13), daily 6:50 & 9:30 pm, mat Fri 4:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4:10 pm; Garden State (R), daily 7:25 & 9:40 pm, mat Fri 5:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:50, 3 & 5:10 pm; Intimate Strangers (R), daily 7 & 9:20 pm, mat Fri 4:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4:20 pm; Maria Full of Grace (R), daily 7:35 & 9:50 pm, mat Fri 5:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1, 3:10 & 5:20 pm.

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

Aug 13-19: Troy (R), Fri-Sun 7:15 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Fri-Sun 12 & 3:30 pm, Mon-Thurs 1 pm.

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

Through Sept 6: The Living Sea, daily 12, 2 & 4 pm.

Through Oct 7: Dolphins, daily 1 & 3 pm, also Fri-Sat 7 pm as double feature w/ Legend of Loch Lomond.

Through Oct 7: Legend of Loch Lomond, Fri-Sat 7 pm as part of double feature w/ Dolphins.

For Kids & Families _________

Aug 14: “Paint with The Music,” Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse, Rte 37 at Leach Hollow Rd, Sherman, 2 pm, free hands-on workshop for children w/ Sherman Chamber Ensemble members & special guest Sherman School art specialist Alisyn Hamilton will explore how music & art tell stories & create moods; 860-355-5930.

Aug 21: Drop-In Day at The Aldrich, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield, 12-4:30 pm, adults $7, $4 students & seniors, free ages 12 & under, families & other visitors invited to visit museum’s new education center for creative activities related to current exhibitions, reservations not needed; 203-438-4519.

Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

Animal Tales Summer Program, Mon-Fri 2 pm through Aug 20, stories & live animal presentations, included w/ zoo admission.

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

Family Magic Story Hour, 11 am-noon, free, in Children’s Garden (in mansion library if bad weather, park in upper lot): next programs Aug 17, 24 & 31.

Miscellaneous ___________

Aug 13: Mid-Summer Psychic Fair, Holiday Inn, Newtown Rd/Rte 6, Danbury, 6-11:30 pm, free adm, psychics, clairvoyants, astrologers, tarot,  gemstone readers & spirit guide illustrators participating, also vendors; 470-1806.

Aug 14: Colonial Danbury Day at Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, adm $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 ages 3 & under, re-enactors of Revolutionary War will incl surgeon, tinsmith, musicians & more, proceeds to benefit museum (call if raining or excessive heat, program may be rescheduled); 743-5200.

Aug 14: 98th Nutmeg Festival, St Stephen’s Church, 351 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, one of CT’s oldest church fairs offers games & amusements for children, Country Grille, locally grown flowers & produce, arts & crafts, antiques, jewelry, baked goods, artwork, raffle & more, proceeds benefit 3 local charities; 203-438-3879.

Aug 14: Gardening Fair at Fairfield County Extension Center, 67 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 1-4 pm, free adm (& free perennial to first 30 visitors), lectures on water gardens, container gardens, garden folklore, gardening in the fall & more, also nature walks, guided tour & discussion of perennials, master gardeners & The Plant Doctor on hand to answer questions, more; 207-3262.

Aug 14-15: IAIS Market Weekend, Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, 10 am-4 pm both days, $4 adults, $3.50 seniors, $2 ages 5-16, free ages 4 & under (adm incl museum & market events), craft vendors, Native American food tastings, dance demos, children’s activities, meet Native people from tribes incl Cherokee, Abenaki, Oneida & others; 860-868-0518.

Aug 16: Candlewood League of Artists program at New Fairfield Public Library, Brush Hill Rd (corner Rte 37 & 39), New Fairfield, 7 pm, free demonstration of painting portraits in oil by Madeleine Moriarty is open to all, presented by Candlewood League of Artists; 746-9100.

Aug 19: “Night Music” at WCSU’s Westside Observatory (Westside campus), University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, shows at 4 & 6:30 pm rain or shine, free; 837-8671, 837-8672.

Aug 20: “The Music Of Painting,” lecture by artist Barbara Grossman at Washington Art Assn gallery, Bryan Memorial Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, 8 pm, $5, slide lecture by Ms Grossman about her paintings & discuss early influences that shaped her works of 1970s-80s, question & answer session to follow; 860-868-2878.

Aug 20-22: 39th Annual Sherman Art Show, Sherman School, Rte 37 at 39, Sherman, Fri-Sun 10 am-5:30 pm, free adm, works by 80+ exhibitors incl photography, sculpture, paintings, ceramics, wood, glass, fober, jewelry and more, proceeds benefit Sherman Higher Education Fund; 860-357-2593.

Aug 21: “The ABCs of Wine Tasting,” McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 3 pm, $25, class for novice & experienced wine tasters will offer look at how grapes are grown, how wine is made, how soil, climate & techniques affect wine, learn how to pair wines w/ foods while tasting wines of McLaughlin & other regional vineyards; 426-1533.

Aug 21: Indoor/Outdoor Flea Market, The Church of the Good Shepherd, Racebrook Rd (at corner of Shepherd Lane), Orange, 8 am-2 pm rain or shine; 203-934-4446.

Aug 21: 2nd Annual Kent Art Assn Paint-Out & Auction, KAA Gallery, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent, 85 artists will spend morning painting or sketching new works to sell that afternoon, public auction begins at 4 pm, free adm (all bids open at $100), auction will incl the new works & 1 previously completed work from each artist, partial proceeds to benefit KAA; 860-927-3989.

Aug 25: “Ancient Apothecary Medicine,” Brookfield Historical Society & Museum, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield Center, 7:30 pm, free slide presentation by Robert Young (Danbury Hist Society) on the historical significance of apothecary medicine; 740-8140.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Free programs unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: Aug 18, Adult Nature Walk, 8 am, approx 2-hour walk will move through sanctuary, pausing to view birds & focus on seasonal aspects of center’s history, different routes each week (walks each Wed in Aug); Aug 25, Adult Nature Walk, 8 am, approx 2-hour walk will move through sanctuary, pausing to view birds & focus on seasonal aspects of center’s history, different routes each week (walks each Wed in Aug).

Alliance Française of Northwestern CT French Literary Mornings, Sat Aug 21, 10 am-noon, free & open to anyone interested in speaking and/or learning French, classic French short stories by Voltaire, Balzac, Flaubert, Beldelaire, Maupassant, et al, will be discussed, bring folding chair & bug spray (programs in barn if bad weather).

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

Aug 14-15, IAIS Market Weekend, 10 am-4 pm both days, $4 adults, $3.50 seniors, $2 ages 5-16, free ages 4 & under (adm incl museum & market events), craft vendors, Native American food tastings, dance demos, children’s activities, meet Native people from tribes incl Cherokee, Abenaki, Oneida & others.

Merryall Center for the Arts, Chapel Hill Rd (off Merryall Rd), New Milford. Call 860-354-7264.

Performances 8:30 pm (unless noted), tickets $15, season tickets available: Aug 22, Annual Jazz BBQ & Fundraiser, 4-7 pm, tickets $25, all are invited for BBQ style foods, live music by Housatonic Bixieland Jazz Band, raffle, proceeds benefit Merryall.

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 (separate door for thrift shop), shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing & sm home accessories, etc.

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

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Aug 25, woodcut demo by Mike Goscinsky.

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.

Theatre ______________

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

Idols of The King, through Sept 26 (performances extended), curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $32.50 & $42.50, student, senior & group discounts available.

The Gary-The Olivia Theatre at Abbey of Regina Laudis, Flanders Rd, Bethlehem. Call 203-266-7811.

The Country Girl, through Aug 14, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, sugg donation $15 (proceeds will benefit the Abbey).

Goodspeed Opera House, Rte 82, East Haddam. Call 860-873-8668.

Where’s Charley?, through Sept 25, curtain Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed & Sun 2 pm, Sat 4 pm, tickets $22-$51 (student rush tickets available, call for info).

Hartford Stage, 50 Church St, Hartford. Call 860-527-5151.

2004 SummerStage season: George Gershwin Alone, through Aug 26, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Thurs & Sun 7:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 2 pm, tickets $25-$45 (student & group discounts available; limited rush tickets also available).

Musicals At Richter, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury. Call 748-6873.

Mainstage performances: Annie, through Aug 14, curtain Fri-Sun 8:30 pm (grounds open 7:15), tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors, $12 students & children (group rates available; chair rentals available w/ advance reservation); Aug 22, rain date if needed.

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

Little Me, through Aug 14, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Aug 1 & 8) 2 pm, tickets $25.

Westport Country Playhouse at Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-226-0153.

The School for Husbands, through Aug 15, curtain Tues 7 pm, Wed-Thurs 8 pm, Fri-Sat 4 & 8:30 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $45; Aug 12, Talk Back program, post-performance Q&A for audience.

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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.