Antiques Shows______

March 5-6: Greenwich Spring Antiques Show & Sale, Greenwich Civic Center, Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $7, 54 dealers, proceeds to benefit Kiwanis Club of Greenwich; 203-618-0009.

March 5-6: 36th Annual Guilford Antiques Show & History Exposition, Adams Middle School, Rte 77, Guilford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $6, 35 dealers, proceeds to benefit The Hyland House; 603-778-8842.

March 6: 20th Annual Newtown Historical Society Antiques Show, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-4 pm, adm $5, returning & new dealers from the region will offer items in variety of styles, dates, etc, proceeds will benefit historical society; 426-5937.

March 6: 20th Spring Edition of The Glastonbury Antiques & Collectibles Show, Glastonbury High School, Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 10 am-4:30 pm, $6 (which also allows entry to Greater Hartford Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show & Sale, see separate listing), 85 booths; 860-342-2540.

March 6: Special Edition of The Greater Hartford Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show & Sale, Glastonbury High School, Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 10 am-4:30 pm, adm $6 (which also allows entry to Glastonbury Antiques & Collectibles Show, above), approx 45 booths; 860-342-2540.

March 12-13: 32nd Connecticut Spring Antiques Show, CT Expo Center, 265 Rev Moody Overpass, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $10, approx 70 dealers, special programs 1 pm (Sat, “History of Norwalk Pottery”; Sun, “Fine Art Conservation”), booth chats (Sun, call for schedule), proceeds to benefit Haddam Historical Society; 207-767-3967.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs & Sun 1-4 pm, Fri-Sat 1-8 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

*(new show) March 5-27: “Welcome Back,” first show of new year will feature works by gallery artists; March 5, opening reception, 6-8 pm.

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 — *(new show) March 4-31, paintings by Lisa Orleman, former student of Kirill Doron does oils on canvas & wood; March 12, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

On library’s main floor — *(new show) March 4-April 15, “Juxtapositions,” contemporary art quilts created by members of The Scrapbag Quilt Artists.

City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Court, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues 12-5 pm, Wed-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 11 am-2 pm & by appt. Call 203-334-7748.

*(new show) Through April 2: “Eyenology,” photography by Michael Benson, Gayle Caro, Claudia Schechter, Tima Sommers & Yves Francois Wilton.

*(new show) Through April 2: “In Celebration of Black History Month,” works by Tyrone Bush, Omaa Chukwurah Orezabo, Will Corprew, Michael Dunham & Amir Rashidd.

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.

*(new show) Feb 26-Aug 14: “What’s New! What’s Next? Recent Additions to the Collections,” significant recent gifts to historical society coupled w/ complementary items from society’s permanent collection; March 6, Gustave Whitehead slide show, 2 pm, $7, presentation by Andy Kosch about the controversial aviation pioneer.

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.

*(new show) Through March 31: original works by accomplished seamstress Karen Trinks.

Miller Studio & 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 March 30: “Winterludes,” works by 10 artists incl Thomas C. Adkins, Joy Bristol, Robert Holden, Gabo Rodriguez & 6 others, which will change during the course of the show, presenting fresh, bright works to offer a respite from the bleak outdoors.

New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Hours: Tues, Thurs-Fri & Sun 12-5 pm, Wed 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

Through March 13: “Contemporary Photography in The Age of Mechanical Reproduction,” 40 photographs from public & private collections provide a glimpse into a largely unexplored world at NBMAA incl works of Gregory Crewden, David Levinthal & Cindy Sherman; March 2, “Art Happy Hour,” 5:30-7 pm, lecture at 6 by exhibition curator Kyle Klewin.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery (formerly Grey Horse Gallery), 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 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.

Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-966-5617.

Through March 13: “Beauty and the Beast,” exploration of concepts of Beautiful & Ugly in present-day world in variety of media incl video & installation.

Through March 13: “Chaotic Symmetries: Inspired Frames of Nature,” black & white photos by Joseph Jurson that were inspired by the “chaotic symmetries” he sees within nature.

Through March 13: “Realism,” newest Web-To-Wall Gallery exhibition features theme of realism found in art from guild’s Artist Image Bank.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Company, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport CT 06604. Call 203-576-1444.

Accepting photos & resumes for spring production of Pooh! (performances April 16-May 22), artistic director Bert Bernardi seeking actor-singer who is excellent guitarist, age 25-35, also seeking 12-14-year old boy to play Christopher Robin, send photo & resume to Mr Bernardi c/o theater address above; those who have auditioned for 2004-05 season need not resubmit.

New England Musicians Expo, CT Expo Center, 265 Reverend Moody Overpass, Hartford. Visit www.KMMEvents.com.

Sept 17-18: New England Musicians Expo, organizers currently seeking vendors/exhibitors to incl retail outlets, recording studios, music instructors, managers, et al, visit JMM Events’ website for applications & additional info.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

March 5: 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.

March 5: “Mike Rafferty: Traditional Irish Music & Stories,” Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $5 children, performance of Irish traditional music featuring the Irish flute player Mike Rafferty, plus guests Mary Rafferty & Donal Clancy; 203-256-8453.

March 5: “Tom Chapin & Friends,” Wilton High School’s David Clune Center for the Arts, 395 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 1 pm, all tickets $15, performance by Mr Chapin w/ musician & composer Jon Cobert, plus actor, composer & musician Michael Mark will be family event for all ages, proceeds to benefit Wilton Playshop; 203-762-7629.

March 10: Composer & pianist Timothy Andres at East Hill Woods, 611 East Hill Rd, Southbury, 7:15 pm, free performance by the award-winning musician will incl works of Schubert & Ives, also original compositions; 262-6161.

March 13: Connecticut Master Chorale Winter 2005 Concert, at St Rose of Lima, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 3 pm, tickets $15/advance, $20/door, performance of 2 major works of John Rutter (Mass of the Children & Feel The Spirit); 743-0473.

March 13: The Pro Arte Singers at St Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 351 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, suggested donation $10, performance directed by Art Sjogren by one of the area’s leading ensembles continues 2004-05 St Stephen’s Sunday Afternoon Concert Series, proceeds benefit church’s Fund For Music; 203-438-3789.

March 13: Monroe Knights of Columbus St Patrick’s Day Celebration, St Jude Center, 707 Monroe Tpke, Monroe, 6-10 pm, adm $14 (RSVP necessary), cabaret style event will feature songs & humor performed by Keltic Kick, proceeds will support Knights’ programs for needy & handicapped across the state; 445-0039.

Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-0263.

Performances 8 pm, tickets $18-$50 w/ student & group discounts: March 5, “American Splendor,” performance of Corigliano’s Pied Piper Fantasy, selections from Porgy and Bess, Bernstein’s Candide Overture, Ticheli’s Blue Shades & East Coast premier of Bridgeport native David Janello’s At the Sea of Clouds (to be conducted by composer’s wife, Rei Hotoda).

Hartford Symphony Orchestra, The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford. Call 860-246-6807.

March 10-11, “HSO Classical Connections: Beethoven,” 7:30 pm, tickets $34 & $42, exploration of Beethoven’s Symphony #3 (“Eroica”), hosted by educator & author Robert Greenberg, season-long series of composers & their works will conclude in May w/ Schuber.

Ives Concert Hall at WCSU, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

March 11, WCSU Jazz Combos concert, 8 pm, free performance by 5 jazz groups will incl compositions by Wayne Shorter, Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis, et al, donations will benefit music dept.

Newtown Friends of Music, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $15, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: March 13, The Artis Quartet (violinists Peter Schuhmayer & Johannes Meissl, violist Herbert Kefer & cellist Othmar Muller), works of Beethoven (Quartet in C minor, Op 18), Janacek (Quartet #1, “Kreutzer Sonata”) & Schubert (Quartet in D minor, “Death and The Maiden”).

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010, 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396).

Performances 8 pm unless noted: March 6, Trinity Irish Dance Company, 3 pm, tickets $30-$40, performance by world-s famous Irish-American troupe will be followed by St Patrick’s Day Party for all attendees.

Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Performances 8 pm unless noted: March 10, Dr John, 8 pm, tickets $60 & $65, opening set by David Morgan Trio.

Films _________________

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

March 4-10: Finding Neverland (PG), daily 7:25 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat, Wed 1, 3:05 & 5:15 pm, Sun 3:05 & 5:15 pm; Million Dollar Baby (PG-13), daily 6:40 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 3:50 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 3:50 pm; The Sea Inside (PG-13), daily 6:50 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4 pm; Sideways (R), daily 7 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 4:15 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 & 4:15 pm.

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

Independent Film Series, 7:30 pm, free: March 8, Wolves in The Snow (Italian w/ English subtitles).

Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4533.

Indie & Foreign Film Series, free, screenings 2 pm: March 6, Long Life, Happiness and Prosperity.

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

March 6-17: The Incredibles (PG), Fri-Sun 7 & 9 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sun (March 6 only) & Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & The Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Lost & Found Film Series, 7:30 pm screenings followed by guest speakers for Q&A, tickets $15: March 18, Two Family House, guest speaker will be director Raymond DeFelitta & producer Alan Klingenstein.

For Kids & Families _________

March 5: For The Birds, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 6 pm, tickets $15, lavish musical interpretation of folk tales “The Golden Goose,” “The Firebirds” & “The Nightingale,” presented by Fraser Woods Montessori School; 426-3390.

March 5: Family Art Adventures, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 12-5 pm, museum adm $7 adults, $4 students, free ages 12 & under, families invited to explore galleries through docent-led tours & then visit museum’s education center to experiment w/ hands-on activities based on topics, methods & materials addressed in exhibitions, program offered (different topics) first Sat/each month; 203-438-4519.

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

March 5, Family Art Adventures, museum adm $7 adults, $4 students, free ages 12 & under, families invited to explore galleries through docent-led tours & then visit museum’s education center to experiment w/ hands-on activities based on topics, methods & materials addressed in exhibitions, program offered (different topics) first Sat/each month.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Danbury Square, 15 Backus Ave, Danbury. Call 730-2733.

Free public programs: March 5, Tales of Magic & Wonder story time, 11 am, readings of new books incl Sarah Thomson’s Imagine A Day & Robyn Parnell’s My Closet Threw a Party; March 12, Tales of Creatures with Big Mouths, 11 am, story time featuring silly picture books incl Tom Barber’s Open Wide! & Harriet Ziefert’s Oh, What A Noisy Farm.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: March 5, Pre-St Patrick’s Day Workshop, 1-2 pm, $3 materials fee (due at registration), ages 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for thematic craft workshop.

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

The Little Engine That Could, March 5-April 10, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

Miscellaneous ___________

March 4: CWU World Day of Prayer: “Let Our Light Shine,” Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, free & open to all (offering will be taken), Church Women United/Newtown-Bethel will offer a service based on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount w/ readings, prayer and song that was written by women of Poland; 426-5192.

March 4: Shabbat Across America Celebration at Congregation Adath Israel, 111 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown, potluck dinner begins 6:15 pm, services begin at 7:30, call for food coordination; 426-5188, 268-1342.

March 4: Newtown Singles Meet & Mingle, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-9 pm, areas singles welcome for socializing and networking; 261-4210.

March 4: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests); 203-468-1144.

March 5: 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.

March 5: Café-Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, all levels of French speakers welcome to join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for informal conversation, subject to be decided, BYO snacks/beverages; 203-266-5588.

March 5: “A Chance Discovery,” Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St (at corner West St), Danbury, 2-3 pm, program by Scott Zesch, the author of The Captured: A True Story of Abduction by Indians on the Texas Frontier, which was inspired by a chance discovery of an ancestor’s overgrown grave; 797-4505.

March 6: Open House at Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, headquarters of Newtown Historical Society will be open for visits, ongoing demo of “scratch eggs” by Sheila Tintera, tours available from costumed guides; 426-5937.

March 6: Fundraising Dinner at St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 5-8 pm, adults $15, seniors $13, children $5 (children’s menu available), free ages 5 & under, all proceeds of dinner featuring a Southeast Asian menu prepared by a professional chef will be given to American Red Cross to continue relief efforts for those affected by Dec 26 tsunamis in southeast Asia; 743-1494.

March 6: “Matters Of The Heart: How Do We Love and Heal?” at Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free discussion by reiki master & teacher Rosemarie Palladino will concern how cultivating an attitude toward a life committed to forgiveness enriches daily life, also why forgiveness is important, followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception, all welcome; 203-263-2254.

March 7: BookTalk at Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free discussion led by Jay Halpern to cover his recent book of poems, The Jade Unicorn, all welcome; 264-1716, 262-6123.

March 8: “MFA Lecture Series: Dennis Lyall,” WCSU White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am, free public lecture by award-winning artist & illustrator who has, among other major accomplishments, designed 34 USPS stamps, part of university’s ongoing Master of Fine Arts Lecture Series; 837-8410.

March 8: “Creating Mind-Body-Spiritual Balance in Busy Lives,” Western CT State University Alumni Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, $10 adults, $1 seniors, panel discussion moderated by Irene Mardal (owner, Take Time Relaxation Center) & sponsored by Institute for Holistic Health Studies at WCSU & CT Holistic Health Assn/Danbury branch; 837-8612, 203-753-0868.

March 9: “Wellness Series: Introduction to Plastic Surgery,” The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 2:30 pm, free program featuring a presentation by plastic surgeon Dr Michael Baroody will be first in a new series of wellness programs; 426-8118.

March 9: Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown meeting, Newtown Senior Center (multi-purpose building), Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:30 pm, free & open to non-members, program by Hope Douglas will introduce attendees to Wind Over Wings Wildlife Rehabilitation & Education Center, program will incl live birds & their stories.

March 9: Genealogy Club of Newtown meeting, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, non-members welcome, program by family historian Virginia Banerjee on “Planning Your Genealogy Research Trip,” club meets monthly & members are from across the region; 270-7887, 426-3889.

March 9: “Why Can’t I Persuade? Social Influences, Motivation and Culture,” WCSU Student Center Room 228, 181 White St, Danbury, 4 pm, free lecture by WCSU Assistant Professor of Psychology Dr Daniel Barrett; 837-8472.

March 10: Readings from Fortune’s Bones: The Manumission Requiem, Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 6 pm, free reading by former CT State Poet Laureate Marilyn Nelson will feature the poem based on recent research into & the skeleton of a former slave in the permanent collection of Mattatuck Museum; 203-753-0381 x10.

March 10: “Intercultural Communication & Body Language: Challenges in American-European Communication, WCSU Student Center Theater, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, free lecture by Johannes Galli & Dr Tatjana Maya, who will discuss the importance of recognizing & understanding body language differences in diverse cultures so that non-verbal messages can be read & understood, sponsored by WCSU German Studies Center; 837-8445.

March 11-13: Sport Card, Sport Memorabilia & Collectible Show, Westfield Shopping Town/Trumbull Mall, 5065 Main St, Trumbull, Fri-Sat 10 am-9:30 pm, Sun 11 am-7 pm; 364-1209.

March 12: 6th Annual Newtown Youth Services Dinner Dance Auction, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, begins 7 pm, tickets $40, annual major fundraiser for NYS will incl buffet dinner, silent & live auctions, dancing to live music by Charisma & Eye Contact, celebrity impersonator Mark Verselli, more; 270-4335.

March 12: Flag Raising Ceremony at St Edward’s Roman Catholic Church, Rte 39, New Fairfield, 9 am, flag raising to honor St Patrick’s Day, accompanied by Greater Danbury Ancient Order of Hibernians; 749-0863.

March 12: Café-Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, all levels of French speakers welcome to join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for informal conversation, subject to be decided, BYO snacks/beverages; 203-266-5588.

March 12: Annual SVFA St Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, Center Firehouse, 461 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, continuous servings 3-8 pm, $12 adults (seniors $11 until 5 pm), $6 ages 6 & under, meal of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, beverages & dessert served by members of Southbury Volunteer Firemen’s Assn, its auxiliary & Jr Corp, alternates incl hot dogs & potato chips for kids; 262-8138.

March 12: Annual Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, Second Meeting House, 40 Main St, Bethel, 5-8 pm, $12 adults, $6 ages 12 &under, all-you-can-eat corned beef round, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, soft drinks, coffee & desserts, cash bar available; 748-6112.

March 12: WCSU Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University Westside Observatory, University Blvd, Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, 6-8 pm, free, public invited to attend special viewings of planet Mercury; 837-8672.

March 13: CT Catholic Singles Winter Farewell Brunch & Dance, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-3 pm, $25; 261-2414.

March 13: St Patrick’s Day Fun Bowl, Brookfield Lanes, 840 Federal Rd/Rte 7, Brookfield, 12-3 pm, teams & singles invited to bowl games & raise funds for Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) Fairfield, presented by Brookfield Rotary Club; 203-386-0049.

March 13: St Patrick’s Day Parade, Danbury, steps off 2 pm from Rogers Park, follows Main St to Liberty, refreshments hosted by Ancient Order of Hibernians at AOH Hall, Main St; 749-0863.

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

Free public programs: March 8, book discussion, 7 pm, concerning D.H. Lawrence’s Sons and Lovers, all welcome; March 14, “Spring Gardening,” 7 pm, at Bethel Municipal Center, 1 School St, 7 pm, free presentation by Eugene Reelick (Hollandia Nurseries) will incl discussion & demo of gardening techniques.

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

Programs free unless noted: March 5, Basic Computing, 9 am-noon, free hands-on class led by staff member from Newtown Computer Training Center w/ focus on keyboards, short-cuts & function keys, mouse skills, getting started on Internet, registration required; March 6, “Bluebirds in Your Backyard,” 3 pm, presentation by bluebird expert & author Fred Comstock; March 10, “Exploring Self-Employment with Franchises,” 7 pm, presentation by Entrepreneur’s Source consultant & coach Tim Stubbs; March 13, Author Reception & Book Signing, 2-5 pm, celebration of Newtown author Nancy Schulz’s self-published, self-help book Dirt Rich: The New American Gentry; March 14, Daytime Book Group meeting, 1 pm, discussion of The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood, newcomers welcome.

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: March 17, slide critique & judging by Paul Hanson, members’ “open slide” competition.

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: March 5, Madison/Guilford Beach walk (leader is Jack Donlon, 203-966-8421); March 12, Bulls Bridge to Kent, then tea at Weabaland Buttonwood Café (leader is Liz Cowan, 845-878-6104); March 19, Al’s Trail in Newtown (leader is Ester Nichols, 426-2897 or 788-1398).

Newtown Singles, meetings at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 261-4210.

Monthly “Meet & Mingle” events, 7-9 pm: next program/meeting March 4.

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.

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

Observation area open to 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: March 9, Willard Doyle, oils.

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.

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: March 9, featured poet TBD (host: Mark McGuire-Schwartz); March 16, Mike (Mighty) MeGee (host: Peter Vicinanza).

Theatre ______________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Brookfield Playhouse, Rte 25, Brookfield Center. Call 775-0023.

Man of La Mancha, through March 12, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (March 6 only) 2 pm, call for ticket prices.

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

Hair, through May 22, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 8:30 pm, tickets $38.50 & $42.50, discounts available for students & seniors (call for details).

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

A Moon For The Misbegotten, through March 27, curtain Tues & Sun 7 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $30-$60, discounts for seniors, students & groups; March 8, Talk-Back Tuesday, post-performance discussion w/ members of cast & creative team.

On Stage II: Rag and Bone, through March 6, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $40-$60.

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850.

Romantic Comedy, March 11-April 9, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (April 3 only) 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 students & seniors.

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

No Way To Treat A Lady, through March 13, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$40.

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

Kimberly Akimbo, through March 19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun (March 6 only) 2 pm, all seats $17.50.

WCSU/Berkshire Theatre, in Berkshire Hall, Osborne St at Seventh Ave (midtown campus, off White St), Danbury. Call 837-8732, 837-8486.

The Distance from Here, March 3-12, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & non-WCSU students; note: play contains controversial themes, not recommended for children.

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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.