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____ _____

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

Through Dec 31: “Jessica Stockholder: Hollow Places Court in Ash-Tree Wood,” work by sculptor Jessica Stockholder, cabinetmaker Clifford Moran & screenprinter Gary Lichtenstein that utilized wood from an ailing 100-year old ash tree that needed to be removed last year from museum’s sculpture garden.

Through Dec 31: “Judi Werthein: Do You Have Time?” ongoing screenings of film by Ms Werthein, commissioned by The Aldrich, that gives unemployed New Yorker David Kleinman a platform to put forward what he perceives to be untold truths behind official American history.

Through Dec 31: “Kate Eric: One Plus One Minus One,” first museum exhibition of artists Kate Tedman & Eric Siemens will offer sm survey of artists’ early work, “where the human figure was somewhat present, too the latest, which is quite devoid of human life.”

Through Dec 31: “Type A: Barrier and Trigger,” large scale modular sculpture (Barrier) whose primary subject is the fear of terrorist threat felt by gov’t & corporate entities and a second work (Trigger) that addresses “in a dizzyingly complex way with the reasons Americans feel the need to arm themselves,” created by Type A (artists Adam Ames & Andrew Bordwin).

Through Jan 8: “Chelpa Ferro: Visual Sound,” American debut by Brazilian collective Chelpa Ferro (visual artists Barrão, Luiz Zerbini & Sergio Mekler) who likes to prove that any object can simultaneously be an instrument & an artwork.

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.

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

On main floor: *(new show) Through Dec 30: Hanukkah menorahs loaned by members of The Greater Newtown-Danbury chapter of Hadassah.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury; 203-778-8337, www.Danbury.org/DRM.

Permanent exhibitions on railroad history (museum is along old New Haven RR line & housed in former Danbury station & railyard), also original & restored rolling stock incl a New Haven RR Mack FCD railbus, Alco RS-1 diesel locomotive, fully operating turntable, etc.

Fairfield University, North Benson Rd, Fairfield; www.Fairfield.edu/museum.

*Bellarmine Museum of Art (within Bellarmine Hall, call 203-254-2215)  — Through Dec 21: “James Prosek: Un-Natural History,” 70 detailed watercolor paintings of North American trout by artist, writer & activist Prosek.

Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Road (at Rte 47), Washington Green; 860-868-7756, www.GunnLibrary.org.

Through Jan 22: “The Magical Christmas Horse,” original works of art by Wendell Minor featured in new Mary Higgins Clark children’s book The Magical Christmas Horse (based on a toy horse in the museum’s collection), also collection of toy horses of many shapes & sizes from museum’s & private collections.

The Stairwell Gallery:

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

Through Jan 31: “Native American All-Stars: Contemporary American Indian Heroes,” celebration of professional athletes, musicians, actors, writers & other well known individuals, all of Native American descent, who have been integral part of culture & history of United States.

Koenig FrameWorks, 97 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-1887, www.KoenigFrameWorks.com.

Through Dec 24: “Small Works,” affordable art for small spaces by regional artists, all priced $100 or less.

Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury; 203-753-0381, www.MattatuckMuseum.org.

Through Feb 26: “Toys!” vintage dolls, toys & games from museum’s collection & private collections incl portion of Bill Brinley’s hand carved miniature circus.

Through March 18: “Shared Sensibilities: The Art of Sol LeWitt and His Friends,” two-part exhibition features LeWitt’s art since 1990s incl structure from his Incomplete Open Cube series & 20 addt’l works on paper, also look at contemporary art collection artist & wife Carol created, featuring works by 18 friends & colleagues of LeWitt incl paintings, sculpture, photography & prints.

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

Through Jan 8: “Invasion of the Bloodsuckers: Bedbugs and Beyond,” family-friendly multi-media display w/ interactives, giant models, preserved & living specimens, film footage of blood feeding & signage that explores how & where bedbugs, lice, mosquitoes, fleas & other blood-sucking arthropods live & how they differ from other household pests, also large-scale photos & specimens to help compare & contrast w/ common look-alikes incl spiders, mites, beetles, millipedes & silverfish, plus info on how to treat for & protect from these unwelcome guests.

Through Jan 8: “X-Ray Vision: Fish Inside Out,” 40 black-and-white digital prints of diff specimens of fish, arranged in evolutionary sequence, to offer tour through the stream of fish evolution & to see what scientists use to study the skeleton of a fish without altering the sampling, also interpretive panels describe how scientists differentiate one species from another, examine fish anatomy & evolutionary development.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Dec 16-17: 7th Annual Eclipse & Friends Christmas Concerts, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 (doors open at 7), $20, performance by local vocal trio (Matt Wilkie & twin sisters Helen Malyszka & Trish Keil) with guitarist Andy Lafreniere, fundraiser to benefit Kevin’s Community Center, second concert planned; 203-426-3939, info@eclipse-bandllc.com, www.eclipse-bandllc.com.

Dec 18: “Deck The Halls: A Holiday Concert by The Connecticut Choral Society Chamber Singers,” Roxbury Town Hall, 29 North St, Roxbury, 3 pm, $15/adv, $20/door, performance by a cappella group (part of CT Choral Society, directed by Bonnie Stephens) will incl traditional holiday music, Hanukkah music, Christmas carols & sing-along, light refreshments to follow, proceeds to benefit Roxbury Senior Center; 860-354-9604.

Dec 18: The Choir of St John’s Episcopal Church concert, at St John’s Episcopal Church on the Green, 7 Whittlesey Ave, New Milford, 3 pm, suggested donation $15, performance by the choir will incl premiere of new work “Mother & Child, A Christmas Cantata,” composed by choir director Zoe Vandermeer for occasion, which is benefit for The Women’s Center in Danbury, also carols w/ Vandermeer on Celtic harp, guest soloists, proceeds to benefit The Womens’ Center; 860-354-5583.

Dec 18: Sherman Church Christmas Concert, The Sherman Church, 6 Church Rd, Sherman, 4 pm, free performance by expanded Church Choir will incl Christmas carol sing-along; 860-354-6114, www.ShermanChurch.org.

Dec 18: A Chris Coogan Christmas, Norfield Grange, 12 Goodhill Rd, Weston, 7 pm, $25, $10 children, celebration of the holiday season & release of new jazz CD (first new release since 2001) by Coogan & his jazz quintet; 203-454-4695, chris@cooganmusic.com, www.cooganmusic.com.

Dec 20: Mid-Day Jazz: David Morgan at The Mark Twain Library, 439 Redding Rd/Rte 53, West Red-ding, 11 am-12:15 pm, free performance by Mr Morgan, in variety of styles (early to modern); 203-938-2545, www.MarkTwainLibrary.org.

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 4: Mid-Day Jazz: David Morgan at The Mark Twain Library, 439 Redding Rd/Rte 53, West Red-ding, 11 am-12:15 pm, free performance by Mr Morgan, in variety of styles (early to modern); 203-938-2545, www.MarkTwainLibrary.org.

For Kids & Families _________

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield University, enter campus at 200 Barlow Rd, Fairfield; 203-254-4010, 1-877-278-7386, www.QuickCenter.com.

Performances 1 pm, tickets $15, $12 children unless noted: Dec 18, Babes in Toyland by American Family Theatre, Inc, 1 & **note: second performance at 3, $15, $12 children, contemporary adaptation of classic favorite w/ new songs by award-winning playwright & composer Don Kersey.

 

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Dec 18: “Holiday At The Cinema,” Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, free (donations welcome), museum docents offer guided tours of floral interpretations of scenes from holiday movies incl Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, It’s A Wonderful Life & Miracle On 34th Street, groups welcome w/ reservations, twilight tours Dec 2, 9 & 16 (see separate listings); 203-734-2513.

Dec 16: Holiday at The Cinema Twilight Tour, Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 4-6:30 pm, free (donations welcome), museum docents will lead guided tours through floral interpretations of scenes from holiday movies incl Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, It’s A Wonderful Life & Miracle On 34th Street; 203-734-2513.

Jan 13: Friday Bingo Night, doors open 5:45 pm, games begin 6:30, $17 incl all regular & most special games, baked goods & dinner items available for purchase, sponsored by St Rose of Lima Home School Association; 203-426-5102.

Ballroom Dinner Dance, Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury; 203-268-8570.

Every Wed 7-11 pm, $15, singles & couples welcome, dance lesson, buffet dinner & cash bar available.

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

(FILM) Dec 16-23: Fred Claus (PG), Fri (Dec 16)-Sat 7 & 9:05 pm, Sun-Thurs & Fri (Dec 23) 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, 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, 9 am (spring & fall start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Dec 17, Richter Park, Danbury, short hike, followed by potluck lunch & winter schedule planning off-site (hike leader Eloise Muller, 203-740-8957; lunch host & coordinator Sue Gabriel, 203-775-8236).

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

Local chapter of international organization meets 1st & 3rd Wed/month, guests & newcomers welcome: next meeting Dec 21.

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), http://www.firstlightpower.com/eagles/viewing_shepaug.asp.

Seasonal: Observation area open late December to mid-March only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, 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 ______________

Palace Danbury, 165 Main St, Danbury; 203-794-9944, www.ThePalaceDanbury.com.

Dec 17: A Christmas Carol by Pied Piper Youth Theater, curtain 4 & 7 pm, $18, $13 children.

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, 5 Route 39 North (Rte 37 at 39, behind the firehouse), Sherman; 860-354-3622, www.ShermanPlayers.org.

Through Jan 1: Sleeping Beauty: a British Christmas panto, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $20, $10 students (w/ ID) & ages 12 & under; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve gala performance, 8 pm, $40 incl hors d’oeuvres & open bar w/ beer, wine & soft drinks.

Stray Kats Theatre Company, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-514-2221, www.StrayKatsTheatreCompany.org.

Staged readings, 7:30 pm, $25 (season subscription available), Q&A w/ actors & reception follows: Jan 14, Kent R. Brown’s Butcher’s Cabin.

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

Through Jan 7: Present Laughter, curtain Fri-St 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 18) 2 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. For the Community Calendar (Newtown events, which can be found under the Calendar tab near the top of this page), emails must be received no later than 5 pm Wednesday. For additional information contact Miss Hicks at The Newtown Bee, 203-426-3141.