Antiques Shows______

July 26: 43rd Guilford Antiques Festival & Sale, Thomas Griswold House Museum, 171 Boston St, Guilford, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $4, 100 dealers; 203-795-6465, 203-458-2887.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Thurs & Sat-Sun 1-5 pm, Fri 12-8 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through Aug 31, “A River Half Empty: Artists Engage Connecticut’s Environment,” collaborative exhibition between museum, CT Fund for the Environment (CFE), Weir Farm Trust & National Park Svc at Weir Farm w/ artists reflecting on some of the environmental concerns CFE has worked to address during its 25-year history, presented at Aldrich Museum & Weir Farm, artists incl Mara Adamitz Scrupe, Rachel Berwick, Adam Frelin, Lisa Kereszi, Frank Noelker, Sven Pählsson, Claudia Schmacke, Michelle Segre & Peter Waite.

Through Aug 31, “Elizabeth Demaray: The 2003 Aldrich Emerging Artist Award Recipient,” sculptures “that make profound connections between science, art & cultural assumptions” by conceptually based sculptor & winner of annual major award from Aldrich.

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs 4:30-9 pm, Fri-Sat 12-9 pm, Sun 11-4 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

*(new show) July 18-Aug 24, “When It Sizzles: An Exhibit by Member & Guest Artists”; July 18, opening reception w/ live music by Mental Health, 7-10 pm.

Black Rock Gallery, 2986 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Wed-Thurs & Sat 10 am-6 pm, Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sun 10 am-3 pm. Call 203-333-6308.

Ongoing exhibit of works by local artists incl oils & watercolors by Mary Treschitta, pen & inks & colored pencils by David Ford, oils by Tom Galasinski & Ursula Starre, digital photos by David Day, and watercolors, acrylics & pastels by Lorna Pirrie.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield. Hours: M-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 775-4526.

Through Aug 10, “DelecTABLE: Exceptional Functional Ceramics,” invitational exhibition created & curated by collector Gail M. Brown features work by 16 nat’l profile ceramic artists.

Brookfield Historical Society, Rtes 133 & 25, Brookfield Center. Hours: 2nd & 4th Sat/month 12-4 pm, also by appt. Call 740-8140.

Through Aug 30, “From The Beginning,” items from museum’s collection of last 35 years, celebrating life of museum.

Connecticut Historical Society, One Elizabeth St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-236-5621.

Ongoing: “Amistad: A True Story of Freedom,” re-created environments & special sound & lighting effects offer recounting of the revolt by slaves on African ship Amistad, their arrival in New London, the legal trials to determine their freedom, their life in CT & the citizens who helped them return to Africa, also historic artifacts & interactive devices.

Ongoing: “Tours & Detours Through Early Connecticut,” exploration of Colonial-era life in CT through hands-on activities incl kid-friendly activities, detailed info cards, costume try-on area, sound & light show, & unique artifacts the describe diverse stories & endeavors of Native American, European & African-American people who shaped state into place we know today.

Ongoing: “Join The Circus” (**note: open weekends only), children & adults invited to dress as magicians, elephants, clowns & other circus animals & performers, then create, direct & star in your own center ring performance, also photos from CHS collections help explore history of the circus in CT.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Hours: (Jan-March) Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, (April-Dec) Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 778-8337.

Current feature exhibit: “A Railroad At Work – The New Haven Railroad, 1956-1966,” series of photos from vast portfolio of Jack W. Swanberg depicting New Haven Railroad, incl many taken in & around Danbury.

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. (see Misc calendar for ongoing programs schedule)

Fine Line Art Gallery, 586 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 266-0110.

July 19, Mid-Summer’s Eve Art Festival, 3-9 pm, special one-day art show & reception to celebrate artists & the beauty they create, event will feature ongoing demos in watercolor, acrylic & oil painting, also pottery demos.

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

Through July 31, “Picture Perfect: Natalie Van Vleck,” paintings & other works by Natalie Van Vleck, founder of Flanders, in direct response to the beauty she found on her land, in its buildings, & in the animals & people surrounding her, complements Mattatuck Museum’s major summer exhibition.

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

Through Aug 25, recent paintings by the acclaimed French artist Jean Duranel & striking photography by CT native Ted Witek.

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.

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

Through Aug 31, “Messengers: The Paintings of Joan LaRocca,” watercolor originals & limited edition signed & numbered giclee prints by Ms LaRocca characterized by Native American & dream imagery woven together, often featuring multiple layers of transparent images embedded within total design, accompanied by works of middle school students & faculty of Chippens Hill Middle School (in Bristol, where Ms LaRocca teaches).

Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave/Rte 34, Derby. Call 734-2513.

*(new show) Through July 30, “Wildlife in Watercolors,” watercolor paintings by Alice Fredericks.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven. Hours: Labor Day to May 1, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm; May 2 to Labor Day, daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-772-2130.

Through Sept 11, “Attack On The World Trade Center,” memorial exhibition designed to memorialize the nearly 3,000 people killed on 9/11, to remember the families who lost loved ones, & present affects on CT residents.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Hours: daily 10 am-6 pm. Call 203-852-0700.

Through Sept 7, “The Robot Zoo,” interactive stations offer a chance to experience concepts & adaptations of robots incl giraffe, rhino under construction, 10-foot chameleon, 6-foot house fly, giant squid, & others.

Permanent exhibit: “Sea Turtles,” loggerhead sea turtles in 15,000-gallon habitat, also displays on sea turtle conservation, life history, behavior, migration & latest studies; also “On The Water,” second floor/Maritime Hall exhibit of maritime models & nautical facts offers insight into boats & their origins, plus explanations of nautical terms such as “between the devil & the deep blue sea.”

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

Through Aug 21, “Quiet Reductions,” photographs by George Incandela, who “draws” w/ photographic chemicals so that viewers see brush strokes, highlights & multiple perspectives, and ceramics by Ann Mallory who creates sculptural forms & vessels that focus on the spiritual essence of a subject.

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 July 20, “The Extended Portrait,” group show portraying self exploration, from traditional to abstract self-portraits, juried by Nancy Hall Duncan & incl work of Adam Niklewicz (of Sandy Hook), et al.

Through July 20, “Director’s Choice: Debra Schaffer – Images in Dimension,” three-D mixed media photo collage works by Ms Schaffer.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Hours: Wed-Sun 8:30 am-5 pm. Call 203-834-1896.

Through Aug 31, “A River Half Empty: Artists Engage Connecticut’s Environment,” collaborative exhibition between Aldrich Museum, CT Fund for the Environment (CFE), Weir Farm Trust & National Park Svc at Weir Farm w/ artists reflecting on some of the environmental concerns CFE has worked to address during its 25-year history, presented at Aldrich Museum & Weir Farm, artists incl Mara Adamitz Scrupe, Rachel Berwick, Adam Frelin, Lisa Kereszi, Frank Noelker, Sven Pählsson, Claudia Schmacke, Michelle Segre & Peter Waite.

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 Aug 31, “Wilton Collects,” collections of Wilton residents incl folk art, Orientalia, Shaker, political Americana, also children’s rock collections, Beanie Babies, foreign money, more;

Wooster Community Art Center, 73 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury. Gallery hours: M-F 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Call 744-4825.

Through Aug 29, ceramic work by David Frank; July 11, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Company, Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport (06604). Call 203-576-1636 (box office).

Theatre is accepting pictures and résumés from adult & teen actors (young leading men & women, character men & women, teenage boys & girls) for 2003-04 season, no roles for children, all positions paid, send photos & résumés to Artistic Director Bert Bernardi, c/o theatre (address above), season will incl Frankenstein & The Three Bears, Rumpelstiltskin, Pinocchio, others.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

July 20: BridgeFest: A Celebration of Cultural Diversity, Washington Park, corner Washington & Barnum Aves, Bridgeport, begins 2 pm, free adm, ethnic heritage festival w/ musicians, dancers & food from Puerto Rico, India, Portugal, Africa & Ireland, part of 6th Annual International Performing Arts Summer Sounds of the World sereis; 203-367-7917.

July 24: The Country Travelers at Nunnawauk Meadows, 3 Nunnawauk Rd, Newtown, 7-9 pm, free performance outdoors at gazebo, indoors if rain, bring low chairs or blankets; 426-5000.

July 24: I Giullari di Piazza, Chase Plaza/City Hall Annex, 999 Broad St, Bridgeport, noon, free performance of traditional folk music & theater continues 6th Annual International Performing Arts Summer Sounds of the World series; 203-367-7917.

July 24: John Jeski Polka Kings at Bridgeport Ferry Terminal, Water St, Bridgeport, 6 pm, free concert by one of New England’s hottest polka concert bands featuring accordion virtuoso John Jeski continues 6th Annual International Performing Arts Summer Sounds of the World series; 203-367-7917.

July 25: John Carty with John Blake at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $10 adults, $5 children, traditional Irish music featuring Mr Carty on fiddle & banjo, Mr Blake on guitar; 203-256-8453.

July 26: Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (in ballroom), 4070 park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, tickets $15, performance by undefeated US national standard ballroom champions Victor Fung & Liene Apale, open dancing w/ music by DJ, singles & couples welcome, comp snacks includes, reservations suggested; 203-374-7308.

July 27: “This Land Is Your Land” performance at The Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 4 pm, free performance by David Bates & Roger Tincknell on library’s lawn (indoors if rain) will be celebration of America in song, part of library’s 2003 Afternoons at The Arbor Concert Series; 775-6241 x104.

July 27: Salsa Banda de Unidad at Went Field, Wordin Ave, Bridgeport, 2 pm, free performance continues 6th Annual international Performing Arts Summer Sounds of the World series; 203-367-7917.

July 29: The Billy Cofrances Jazz Band at Ashlar of Newtown/Lockwood Lodge, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, free concert of jazz favorites, bring blankets or chairs for seating, all welcome; 426-5847.

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

Stage A/Performance Art & Music Series, performances 8 pm: July 11, Andy Stochansky, tickets $20, pop-rock performance by former Ani DiFranco drummer now supporting his own “richly melodic & ambient pop sound” release, Five Star Motel.

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

2003 Summer Concert Series, 7 pm, performances on library’s back lawn, indoors if rain: July 18, Washboard Slim & The Blue Lights.

CHIRP 2003 (Concert Happenings In Ridgefield’s Parks), Ballard Park, off Main Street/Rte 35, Ridgefield..Call 203-431-2760.

Free concerts (donations gratefully accepted & used to pay performers’ fees, also series scheduling, park maintenance, etc), performances 7 pm, rain location is Temple Shearith Isreal (400 Main St): July 22, Lunasa, all-star quintet combines traditional Irish instrumentation w/ “jazz-flecked, percussive groove”; July 29, Live from New York, 4 NY-based singer-songwriters in collabortive evening of music & impromp humor.

CityCenter Danbury Green, Ives St & Patriot Dr, Danbury. Call 792-1711.

Summertime Festival 2003/Family Nights, Thurs 6:30 pm, free: July 24, Celtic Cross, Danbury-based pipe & drum corps offers Irish & Scottish tunes in “true spirit of Celtic tradition.”

Summertime Festival 2003, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, free: July 18, The Danbury Brass Band, 24 professional musicians offer unique repertoire of diverse musical periods & styles incl military suites, marches & jazz; July 19, Lenahan, “one of top Celtic rock bands in the world” (The Washington Post; **rain location Rogers Park School, 21 Memorial Dr); July 25, Gunsmoke, 5-member country band performs traditional to modern country; July 26, Aztec Two Step, folk-rock duo w/ national recording contract “a guaranteed good time for any lover of voice & acoustic guitar,” rain location Rogers Park School, 21 Memorial Dr.

Gate House Coffee House, Rte 172, Southbury. Call 586-2144 (Southbury Training School).

2003 Summer Concert Series, 2nd & 4th Tues, 6:30 pm (under pavilion if rain), free adm: July 22, Leslie Ritter & Scott Petito, vocals & guitar offering contemporary folk-pop.

2003 Sunday Summer Concert Series, 3 pm (under pavilion if rain), free: July 27, Kevin Briody, former CT State Troubadour, singer-songwriter offers original folk.

The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown. Call 426-8118.

Summer 2003 Concerts in The Courtyard series, performances Tues 7 pm, free: July 22, Jim Scianna Trio, also featuring saxophonist Carem Leggio & pianist Mack Templeton.

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

2003 Summer Concert Series, tickets $3 higher day of show, all shows $26 for adult/lawn (unless noted), $11 children/lawn, children ages 2 & under free/lawn: July 18, An Evening with Kenny Loggins, 7:30 pm, tickets, $46 & $61 lawn; July 27, Sheryl Crow, 8 pm, tickets $51 & $71 reserved, $29 lawn.

Southbury Green, 775 Main St South, Southbury.

6th Annual Summer Concert Series, 6-8 pm at the gazebo, free, postponed if rain: July 24, Amy Gallatin & Stillwaters, country, folk & bluegrass by 5-member band; July 31, Heartland, 8-pc modern country band features 3 female lead vocalists.

St James Church Wednesday Carillon Concert Series, St James Episcopal Church, 25 West St, Danbury. Call 748-3561.

Concerts by guest performers on church’s Bulkley Carillon, seating on church lawn (bring blankets, low chairs), performances 12:30 pm rain or shine, picnics welcome: July 23, Daniel K. Kehoe (from Trinity College, Hartford); July 30, Alexander Solovov (faculty member, Belgian Carillon School, Mechlin, Belgium).

Teikyo Post Univ, 800 Country Club Rd, Middlebury. Call 203-596-4510.

Summer 2003 Sunset Concerts, 7 pm, free performances on Leever Student Center lawn (bring blanket, lawn chairs & picnics; indoors if rain): July 24, The Big Beat (formerly The Fabulous Tornadoes), greatest hits of 1950s-60s; July 31, Get Back, tribute band plays songs from all stages of Beatles career.

Films _________________

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

July 18-24: Capturing The Friedmans (NR), Fri-Tues, Thurs 6:50 & 9:15 pm, Wed 9:15 only, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 pm; Jet Lag (R, French w/ subtitles), daily 7:20 & 9:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4 pm; Swimming Pool (R), daily 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1, 3:10 & 5:20 pm; Whale Rider (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4 pm.

July 19-23: The Man On The Train (R, French w/ subtitles), mat Sat-Sun, Wed 3:45 pm.

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

Through July 22: Chicago (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:10 pm, mat daily 1 pm, also Sat-Sun 4 pm.

Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Call 203-432-2800.

 “Photographers On Film” series, free screenings, 2 pm: July 19, The Governess (1988, R).

For Kids & Families _________

July 19: The Mighty Mysterious Megapuff by The Cosacomicakids, at The Performance Space, 55 West St, New Milford, performances 11:30 am & 2:30 pm, al tickets $6, “delightful & fantastic journey for all ages told w/ masks, puppets, music, song & more”; 860-210-1444.

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

Free public programs: July 24, So Many Animals Storytime, 11 am, stories about all kinds of animals incl Marion Dane Bauer’s Why Do Kittens Purr?, Dugland Steer’s Snappy Little Farmyard & Margaret Wise’s The Wonderful House; July 31, Boat Storytime, 11 am, sail into children’s dept for stories about boats incl Eve Bunting’s Little Bear’s Little Boat.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel. Call 794-8756 x4.

July 28, Craft Program for Teens: Beaded Earrings, 2-3 pm, free & open to students entering grades 6-12 in the fall, registration requested.

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

Free programs (unless specified): July 22, Young Adults Poetry Workshop, 3-4:30 pm, ages 10 & up (or entering 5th grader or higher) will work w/ published poet Thalia Marakas on what poetry is, its problems & potential solutions, all levels of writers welcome, limited to 15 participants, registration mandatory; July 24, World Wise Story Time: Forests, 11 am-noon (registration required, class size limited), guest readers Philomena Conti & Rabiya Ansari will offer stories focusing on habitats around the world.

Musicals at Richter Fairy Tale Theatre, at Wooster School, Ridgebury Rd, Danbury. Call 748-6873.

Off-site series by Musicals at Richter’s young actors’ ensemble, grounds open 10:30 (crafts offered), performances 11 am, all tickets $5, BYO blankets/seats: July 19, Selections from Aesop’s Fables; July 26, Pinocchio.

Miscellaneous ___________

July 18-19: St Thomas’ Episcopal Church Annual Colossal Tag Sale, 95 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel, 9:30 am-1 pm both days; 743-1494.

July 18-19: Railroad Museum of New England Summer Railroad Art Festival, RMNE’s Thomaston Station, East Main St, Thomaston, Fri 7-9 pm (gala opening, call for details), Sat 10 am-4 pm, free adm, railroad-themed display of works by artists working in variety of mediums, lesson by railroad artist Robert Hauschild on painting RR theme (Sat 11:30-1), excursion trains depart 1 & 3 pm Sat (adults $10, seniors $9, ages 3-12 $7, free ages 2 & under); 860-283-RAIL (7245).

July 19: 2nd Annual Siberian Husky Club of Western CT Membership Picnic, Putnam Memorial Park, Black Rock Tpke/Rte 58, Redding, 12-4 on (rain date July 20), BYO picnics, also bring plenty of water for dogs & dogs must be on short leash or tethered to one of club’s dog lines at all times, networking w/ fellow owners, event is open to people interested in learning more about species and/or owning Siberian Husky; 203-400-1888, 203-378-3827.

July 20: “Reflections On A Weeklong Meditation Retreat,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by guest speaker Tully Moss will be followed by group meditation & tea reception, all welcome; 203-263-2254.

July 21: Impressionistic Watercolor Demo by Richard Ochs, New Fairfield Library, Brush Hill Rd/Rte 39, New Fairfield, 7-8:30 pm, free program by award-wining artist will incl creating images w/ expressive brushstrokes & creative compositions in loose impressionistic style, presented by Candlewood League of Artists; 746-9100.

July 22: Sandy Hook Organic Farmer’s Market, parking area between St John’s Church and The Villa Restaurant, Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 9 am-1 pm, locally-grown organic fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, breads, coffee, sandwich café, also pony rides, live entertainment, weekly (Tues) until Oct 21; 426-9938, 270-1820.

July 24: “The Life & Career of Gregory Peck,” Pomperaug Woods auditorium, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 3 pm, free screening of one-hour documentary by veteran filmmaker Gene Feldman will be followed by discussion, questions & answers w/ Dr Feldman; 262-6555.

July 26: Public Day at Beatrix Farrand Garden, Promisek at Three Rivers Farm, Skyline Ridge Rd, Bridgewater, 10 am-4 pm, $5 suggested donation, historical garden designed by in 1921 Ms Farrand (founding member American Society of Landscape Architects) will be open for visits 4th Sun/month through Sept; 860-350-8226, 860-354-1788.

July 26: Military Museum of Southern New England Open Turret Day, 125 Park Ave, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, $4 adults, $2 seniors, active military members & most children, free ages 5 & under, all military vehicles open to public (rubber-soled shoes necessary), also historic artifacts & exhibits; 790-9277.

July 26: Antique Trucks Show at Railroad Museum of New England, RMNE’s Thomaston Station, East Main St, Thomaston, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, special display of antique trucks from CT Yankee Chapter/Antique Truck Club of America & Nutmeg Chapter/ATCA featuring vehicles ca 1930s-60s; 860-283-RAIL (7245).

July 26-27: Civil War Encampment & Battle Reenactment, Gavel Farm, Rte 317 at Upper County Rd, Roxbury, begins 10 am each day; 860-354-7210.

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: July 19, Bugs and Birds, 9 am, look for birds & flying insects in meadows & along edges of woods of sanctuary; July 20, Summer Sunday at The Bent, 2 pm, informal leisurely nature walk, families welcome; July 23, Adult Nature Walk, 9 am, join one of center’s naturalists for leisurely hike to explore meadows for wildflowers, dragonflies & butterflies or forests for ferns & mushrooms (note that these adult walks have changed from Tues to Wed).

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

Free public programs: July 30, We’re Talking About… Women Authors book discussion group, 7 pm, discussion of Sue Monk’s The Secret Life of Bees, all welcome.

Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem. Hours: MAY 2-OCT 28 Wed, Fri-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 203-266-7596.

1754 home of Bethlehem’s first minister complemented by outbuildings, 18th C apple orchard & 1915 formal parterre garden is open for summer tours (Wed, Fri-Sun 11 am-4 pm).

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

Free public programs: July 22, discussion by Lauren Baratz-Logsted on the writing & publication of her first novel, The Thin Pink Line, 7 pm, registration requested.

Also: July 19, Caricature Artist Bill Dougal, 11 am-2 pm, caricature portraits by Mr Douglas will be $15 each, $2 for additional subjects, reservations accepted, w/ proceeds benefiting library’s capital campaign.

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

Programs free unless noted: July 18, Washboard Slim & The Blue Lights concert, 7 pm, concert on library’s back lawn will continue annual summer concert series (indoors if rain); July 26, Intermediate-Level Computer Class, 9 am-noon, $10, Dan Tannenbaum (Newtown Computer Training Center) will focus on downloading files, saving pictures, email-related topics, pre-registration required.

CityCenter Farmer’s Market, CityCenter Green, Patriot Dr & Ives St, Danbury. Call 792-1711.

Every Thurs through mid-Oct, 3-6:30 pm, sale of locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers & baked goods, free parking in Patriot Garage w/ purchase.

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: July 23, critique session w/ Hank McLaughlin, attendees invited to bring up to 2 pcs of work, Mr McLaughlin will look at works one at a time & use his own drawings to illustrate his suggestions for improvement.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meetings, 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 Series, 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: July 23, Robert Berner; July 30, Elizabeth Thomas.

Weston Young Women’s Club Farmer’s Market, Coley House, corner Rte 57 at High Acre Rd, Weston. Call 203-226-3966, 226-2877.

Through Oct 4, every Sat 8-11 am.

Theatre ______________

Bridgeport Free Shakespeare, at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

Romeo and Juliet, July 18-20 & 23-27, curtain 8 pm (park opens for picnics at 6 – no alcohol allowed in park, interns’ pre-show at 7), free performances by professional actors under the stars, will move into Carousel Building if rain.

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts (formerly Country Players of Broookfield), Brookfield Playhouse, Rte 25, Brookfield Center.

Broadway Through The Years: A Century of Song, through July 26, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15; July 17, special Thurs evening performance.

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

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, through Aug 10, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $34-$42, discounts for seniors (matinees only), group & rush discounts also available.

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

Twelfth Night, Aug 1-9, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, sugg donation $10, general admission seating.

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

Very Good Eddie, through Oct 4, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $22-$55.

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

SummerStage 2003: The Devil’s Music – The Life & Blues of Bessie Smith, through July 20, curtain Tues-Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $35-$45, group rates available, college student discounts.

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

Cabaret Evenings: It’s A Musical World, Aug 4 (raindate Aug 5), curtain 8:30 pm, tickets $8, revue celebrates travel & destinations in song & dance from Cape Cod to Copenhagen.

Mainstage performances: Once On This Island, through July 26, curtain Fri-Sun 8:30 (grounds open 7:15), tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors, students & children.

Summer Theatre Connections, Newtown High School auditorium, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Call 426-4212.

Blood Brothers, July 24-26, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, tickets $10 adults, $8 students & seniors, note: play has adult subject matter & strong language that may not be suitable for youngest audience members.

Night Of A Thousand Stars, July 31-Aug 1, Thurs-Fri 7:30 pm, tickets $10 adults, $8 students & seniors.

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

Bat Boy: The Musical, through Aug 23, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm (Aug 3 & 10), mat Sun (Aug 17 only) 2 pm, tickets $20; July 24, Pay-What-You-Can performance, 8 pm.

Town Players of Newtown, Little Theatre, theatre is on Orchard Hill Rd (mailing address is PO Box 211), Newtown. Call 270-9144.

All’s Well That Ends Well, through Aug 2, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (July 27 only) 2 pm, tickets $12 evenings, $10 mat.

 

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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 prints; please call for details concerning photo files to be emailed.