Antiques Shows         _________________

Jan 9-10: 57th Papermania Plus, XL Center, Asylum St, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $7, senior citizens half-price on Sun, 160 exhibitors, appraisals (Sun 11-2); 860-563-9975, 860-529-2234.

Feb 7: 17th Annual Antiques & Collectibles Antiques Show, Naugatuck High School, 543 Rubber Ave, Naugatuck, 9 am-4 pm, $4, $2 children, 60+ dealers; 203-723-2588.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places  ___________________

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

Through Jan 17: “Bike Rides: The Exhibition,” exploration of the growing relevance of bicycles in contemporary art & culture.Through April 17: “Edward Tufte: Seeing Around,” first major exhibition of Tufte’s sculpture, in museum’s garden, of rusting weathered pcs against new plantings of white pine, spruce, red cedar & bamboo; Jan 17, artist’s tour, 2 & 3:15 pm, intimate look at exhibition led by the artist.

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — *(new show) Through Feb 27: images by members of Candlewood Camera Club; Jan 30, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Good News Café & Gallery, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury; 203-266-4663.

*(new show) Through March 8: “Into the Light,” paintings embedded w/ history by Katie Danahy Samuelson, who paints abstractly w/ oil in a style reminiscent to 1950s abstraction; Jan 17, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

*(new show) Through March 8: “Lost and Found,” paintings enhanced w/ collage by Joy Floyd; Jan 17, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Gunn Memorial Library & Museum, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green; 860-868-7756.

Through Jan 17: “Christmas Through The Ages,” vintage toys & memorabilia in festive Victorian era, 1920s & 1950s settings, also dolls from past generations, Christmas trees from different eras & vintage dresses.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, New Haven; 203-865-0400.

Through Jan 31: “Ninth Annual Christmas Tree Festival,” artificial trees decorated w/ handmade ornaments by 500 CT students in grades K-5.

Through Jan 31: “A Latino Christmas: Nativities of Latin America,” Nativity scenes, or crèches, from 16 Latin countries, 4 southwestern US states & Puerto Rico.

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

Through Feb 7: “F. Luis Mora and The Expression of Beauty,” 45+ works incl paintings, murals, drawings & preparatory studies by master painter (1874-1940) who made his home in Gaylordsville; Jan 22, “The Art of Flamenco Guitar: A Recital & Reception with Val Ramos,” $7 ($5 museum members), performance by CT resident & master flamenco guitarist will serve as complement to exhibit & related reception.

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

Through Jan 31: works by Hans Hoffmann & George McNeil.

Peabody Museum of Natural History,

Through Jan 31: “Disease Detectives.”

Through Jan 31: “Solving the Puzzle: Lyme Disease, West Nile Virus and You.”

Ridgefield Guild of Artists, 34 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield; 203-438-8863

*(new show) Jan 23-Feb 20: “Fresh Pics,” work by approx 50 contemporary artists from CT & surrounding states (incl DeAnn Prosia of Newtown) in painting, works on paper, photography & sculpture; Jan 23, opening reception, 2-4 pm (snow date Jan 24) incl curator-led walk-through of exhibition at 2; Feb 6, “Resources & Opportunities for Artists,” 2 pm, panel discussion w/ reps from area art organizations & tour of exhibition (snow date Feb 7).

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 800 Main St, Hartford; 860-838-4055.

Through Jan 24: “Rembrandt’s People,” small scale dossier exhibit showcasing Rembrandt’s portraits w/ works on loan from public & private collections in US & Canada, aiming to demonstrate the artist’s talent as a figure painter.

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

In Main Galleries: Through Jan 30: “Young Talent 2010,” selected works of emerging American artists under the age of 30: Justin Varner, Derrick Riley, Harvey Bayless, Christopher Rose, Dominic Lippilllo, Cuyler Remick, Jessica Bartlet & Kate Gartrell.

Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Road, Wilton; 203-762-7257.

Through Jan 18: “The Great Trains,” 9 intricate & detailed model train layouts designed by the historical society’s expert trainmen incl range of makes, models & gauges incl O-gauge sets featuring Thomas the Tank Engine & friends to 1920s-style G-gauge track and HO and S gauge sets.

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

*(new show) Jan 23-April 17: fine art photography by John Talbert.

Concerts, Musical Events ________

Jan 17: Mary Gauthier at The Acoustic Celebration, Temple Shearith, 46 Peaceable St, Ridgefield, 4 pm, $20-$25, Americana & alt-country music; 203- 431-6501.

Jan 23: Jazz at The Grange featuring The Chris Coogan Quintet, Norfield Grange, 12 Goodhill Rd, Weston, 8-10:30 pm, $20, live jazz by Mr Coogan, Jim Royle, John Mobilio, Jim Clark & Rex Denton, first of what is planned as monthly series w/ rotating musicians, originals & items from The Great American Songbook; 203-454-4695.

Jan 24: Pat Wictor at The Acoustic Celebration, Temple Shearith, 46 Peaceable St, Ridgefield, 4 pm, $15-$20, blues & lap slide guitar; 203- 431-6501.

Jan 30: Monthly ballroom dance, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $17, singles & couples welcome, free dance lesson at 8, music provided by DJ Piers Stonehart, performance by Dimitrios & Maria Damalas (national professional Latin Ballroom Dancers, Greece) at 9, complimentary snacks; 203-374-7308.

Jan 31: 29th Greater Bridgeport Symphony Carlson-Horn Competition for Young Instrumentalists Finals, Arnold Bernhard Arts & Humanities Center at the University of Bridgeport, 84 Iranistan Ave, Bridgeport, free, public welcome; 203-576-0263.

For Kids & Families _______________

Jan 16-17: Blue’s Clues Live! The Most Spectacular Place, Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield, Sat 10 am & 1:30 pm, Sun 1:30 pm, $12 (4/$40), live theater performance of popular Nick Jr program specially designed for preschool & elementary school children; 203-431-9850.

Jan 18: “In Search of Woodland Penguins,” Flanders Nature Center Trail House, Flanders at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 1-4 pm, children invited to search for & rescue “woodland penguins” (tiny creatures crafted from natural materials by Flanders staff & volunteers) hidden along trails, while also learning how to read maps, hike in winter & look for signs of animals & their habitats, bring snack, dress to be outdoors in cold weather; 203-263-3711.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury; 203-797-4528.

Jan 19, Guys Rule! Book & Activity Club, 5:30 pm, boys in grades 4-6 invited to discuss Hatchet by Gary Paulsen; Jan 28, Snowman Craft Day, 10:30 am-1 pm & 3-6 pm, kids of all ages & families invited to drop in during either session.

Miscellaneous ____________________

Jan 16: Roast Beef Dinner, Good Shepherd Lodge #65/Odd Fellows Hall, 25 Danbury Rd, New Milford, 4:30-7 pm, $10, $8 seniors, $5 ages 5-12, free ages 4 & under, full dinner incl dessert, take-out available; 860-355-0243.

Jan 17: Screening of The Band’s Visit, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1:30 pm, $5 donation suggested, award-winning Israeli film to be shared by Greater Newtown/Danbury Hadassah Chapter, donations will help defray cost of mailing stuffed animals to needy Israeli children; 203-426-6817.

Jan 17: “Allowing Our Lives to be Joyful: Celebrating Intuition,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free program by WYC founder & director Janaki Pierson will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & informal tea reception, all welcome; 203-263-2254.

Jan 18: “Water Quality & Land Use,” The Brookfield Library (use lower level side entrance for program), 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 7 pm, free program hosted by The Housatonic Group of Sierra Club will be presented by Carol Haskins (outreach director, Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition); 203-775-9644.

Jan 19: Newtown Toastmasters meeting, Town Hall South (Parks & Recreation Conference Room), 3 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm,. guests welcome; 203-313-5507.

Jan 24: “Moving From Dark To Light: Reframing Our Sacred Stories,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free program by Romie Palladino will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Jan 29: “The Odd Couple … Landscape Designers & Landscape Contractors,” Naugatuck Valley Community College, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 1:30 pm, $10/adv, $15/door (free for APLD-CT members), program by award-winning landscape designer & landscape contractor Jody Shilan will offer insights to what can help both parties work better together, hosted by Assn of Professional Landscape Designers & NVCC Science Division.

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

Jan 17, Evening Book Discussion, 7:30 pm, China Road by Rob Gifford, newcomers welcome; Jan 26, “Protecting Your Family Jewels,” 7 pm, jeweler Joe Brandy will discuss home security measures, proper care, options for selling, what to look for & more when considering fine jewelry purchases & protection; Jan 27, memoir discussion series, 7:30 pm, Girls of Tender Age  by Mary-Ann Tirone Smith.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury; 203-797-4505.

Jan 23, Talking Taxes: Credits and More Credits, 10:30 am, free one-hour program; Jan 24, Digital Camera Basics, 2 pm, BYO camera (make sure battery is charged) & learn the basics for most models; Jan 25, BookTalk, 6:30 pm, 90-min program will focus on Edward Jones’s All Aunt Hagar’s Children; Jan 30, Talking Taxes: Job Loss Benefits & Tax Planning, 10:30 am, free one-hour program.

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

(FILM) Jan 15-21: Disney’s A Christmas Carol (PG), Fri-Sun 7 & 9 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sun-Mon 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Flagpole Camera Club, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown; 203-270-9469.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: Jan 21, presentation of awards from Fall New England Camera Club Council Competition, also program on digital color management by Rich Tyrseck & members’ “open” competition.

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

Jan 23, Winter Walk, 12:30-2:30 pm, $8 ($6 members), $4 kids, join Jamie Leffler for walk & learn how to start fire in snow, what to eat, where to find shelter & more during winter, dress for weather, registration requested.

2010 Winter Film Series, screenings 2 pm: Jan 16-17, The Lost People of Chaco Canyon.

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 16, Platt Park, Southbury (leader Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); Jan 23, Fairfield Hills Trail/Horse Barn (leader Sally Cox, 203-426-9903); Jan 30, Twin Brooks Park, Trumbull (leader Irene Juthnas, 203-268-2254).

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 7 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required (reservations line now open.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-6654 or 203-798-0560.

Jan 23-31, Color in January Annual Show & Sale, at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Road, daily 10 am-4 pm, non-juried show of works by SCAN members, opening reception Jan 23 (2-4 pm), artist demos each Sat-Sun 12:30 (Jan 23, watercolor landscape by Patricia Barkman; Jan 24, oil still life by Janice Papayani; Jan 30, pastel landscape by Alain Picard; Jan 31, acrylic portrait by Beverly Branch).

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, at The Blue Z Coffee House, 127 South Main St, Newtown. Call 203-426-6242, 203-364-0631.

Open mic 7:30, featured poet follows: Jan 20, featured poet Sympetalous; Jan 27, Return of the Hosts Night, featuring series hosts past & present, also new host Lisa Marie Ackerly will lead open mic session.

Theatre ____________ ______________

Jan 23-24: Blue’s Clues Live! The Most Spectacular Place, TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford, Sat 10:30 am & 1 pm, Sun 1 pm, $15, local actors will offer theater production de-signed for young (preschool & up) audiences; 860-350-6863.

Jan 29-Feb 6: A Night of One-Acts… an introduction to modern playwright David Ives, Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield, doors open at 7, performances Fri-Sat 8 pm, $20, cabaret seating, BYO food & drink, for mature audiences; 203-431-9850.

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury; 203-757-4676.

Nunsense, through Jan 24, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, call for ticket details & reservations.

Song Man, Dance Man, Jan 29-31, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, call for ticket details & reservations.

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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 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 203-426-3141 for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.