Antiques Shows ­­­­­­­­­­­­   ________________

Jan 10-11: 55th Papermania Antique Paper Show, XL Center, Asylum St, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $7, seniors half-price on Sunday, 150 exhibitors, appraisals (Sun 11 am-2 pm); 860-563-9975, 860-529-2234.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places    __________________

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

Through Feb 8: “Peggy Preheim: Little Black Book,” the museum exhibition to fully explore the wide range of Ms Preheim’s very delicate & intensely private work incl 75 drawings, paintings, sculptural objects & photos created between 1984-2007.

Through Feb 14: “The Soul – Journey to America,” huge freestanding paper sculpture (14+ ft tall, approx 650 pounds) by the Korean artist Kwang-Young Chun.

Through Feb 14: “Full Circle: Ten Years of Radius,” anniversary celebration of successful professional artist development program presented by the Aldrich that has jumpstarted many careers will incl work by14 previous Radius artists.

Through Feb 14: “The Silent Echo Chamber,” multiscreen video installation by award-winning comedic actor,writer, musician & radio host Harry Shearer.

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport;

203-331-1104.

Through Jan 4: “Celebrate the Season,” museum’s period rooms decorated in elaborate 19th Century style demonstrating early trends & later elaborate ornaments became part of American tradition; Jan 2, Celebrate the Season For Kids, 11 am-noon, $7 adults, $4 children (incl museum adm), grades K-4 invited for age-appropriate gallery tour of “Celebrate the Season,” to be followed by craft time, reservations requested.

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — *(new show) Jan 5-31: “Two Generations of Artists,” quilts by the Newtown quilter Mary Eddy (“The Jelly Bean Quilter”) & dry brush paintings by her father, Benjamin Palagonia of Sherman; Jan 11, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich; 203-869-0376.

Through Jan 4: “Paris Portraits: Artists, Friends and Lovers,” first museum show to feature “the great mosaic of Parisian art as a ‘group portrait’ of its leading practitioners” incl works of Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Duchamp, Beckmann, Brancusi, et al, incl famous images alongside rarely seen works.

Through Feb 1: “That Liberty Shall Not Perish,” 18 original WWI posters recently given to museum’s permanent collection by Beverly & John Watling, incl those created for the four Liberty Loan campaigns, the War Savings Stamp program, the Victory Loan program & the Red Cross.

Discovery Museum and Planetarium, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport; 203-372-3521.

Through Jan 25: “How To Make A Monster: The Art and Technology of Animatronics,” secrets behind movie creatures & how they get made incl original concept, storyboard, maquettes & full size sculptures & moldings incl Inspector Gadget, Abominable Snowman, gorillas from George of the Jungle 2, aliens from Pitch Black & others.

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

Through Jan 5: “And Furthermore… Clay Horses,” hand built clay horses by Louise W. King.

Through Jan 5: “Pentimento,” paintings by Matt Wood that contain thick massing of pigments & raw canvas.

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (on the green), New Milford; 860-354-3436.

Through Jan 17: “Small Treasures & More,” 8th annual holiday group exhibit features works by Thomas Adkins, James Coe, Rick Daskam, Ralph Della-Volpe, Robert Ferrucci, Vincent Giarrano, Christopher Magadini, Woldemar Neufeld, Alain Picard, Bill Rice, Danielle Wexler & Scott Zuckerman.

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

Through Jan 11: “Trucks, Hydrants and Hoses,” holiday exhibit featuring vintage toys, fire engines & memorabilia incl toy fire trucks of all shapes & sizes loaned from area collectors.

Stairwell Gallery — *(new show) Jan 3-Feb 14: paintings by Carol Brightman Johnson, who studies the light & other important features of a region while painting; Jan 3, opening reception, 11 am-1 pm.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, New Haven, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-865-0400.

Through Feb 1: “Nativities of Europe: Folk Art to Fine Art,” approx 90 crèches from across Europe borrowed from 3 American collections as well as 24-ft wide diorama from Naples.

Through Feb 1: “Christmas in Connecticut: Nativities in New Haven, Hamden and Middletown,” Nativities by students from Sacred Heart Academy featuring Hamden’s contemporary landmarks & historic places w/ Holy Family in midst of snow covered diorama, and another by students of Xavier High School, placing birth of Jesus in middle of historic river port city circa 1930s, and third scene depicting Christmas in New Haven circa 1882 w/ Holy Family next to St Mary’s Church.

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

Through Jan 11: “Speak To Me: The Connecticut Biennial 2008,” works by 18 artists who were selected to participate in biennial event for their forward-thinking & compelling works, ranging from paintings & performance to sculpture & video.

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

Through Jan 5: “Familiar Faces and Figures,” portraits by multimedia artists Lorraine Agri & metal sculptures by James Travers.

*(new show) Jan 10-Feb 23: “Birds From The Hand,” works on paper by Audrey Anastasi & sculpture by Deborah Menzell Dressler; Jan 10, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Morrison Gallery, Kent Village Barns, 8 Old Barn Rd (near Rte 7 at Rte 341), Kent; 860-927-4501.

Through Jan 11: 15 new oils by New England artist Chris Armstrong featuring works on canvas, aluminum & panel.

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

Through Feb 22: “Jungles: Photographs by Frans Lanting,” 45 photos shot over 20-year period by master renowned wildlife photographer Frans Lanting, shot in some of the most mysterious & remote locations on earth, capturing beauty, manic pace, wonder & fragility of the planet’s “forgotten Edens.”

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford; 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

Through Jan 4: “At Home With Gustav Stickley: Arts & Crafts from the Stephen Gray Collection,” approx 140 exceptional objects from the Gray collection, plus related works from Atheneum’s holdings.

Through Jan 25: “Who Was Anna Tuels? Quilt Stories, 1750-1900,” celebration of quilting’s history from 18th & 19th Centuries in America, featuring famed “Anna Tuels” quilt, believed to be earliest dated American pieced quilt in existence, also items from museum’s permanent collection focusing on history of ownership & what quilting tells us about the lives of women in the past.

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

In Main Galleries: *(new show) Jan 3-24: “Young Talent,” works by emerging artists incl Anastasia Alexandrin, Nathaniel Cardonsky, Renee Lynn Hartig, Amy Lincoln, Beth Livensperger, Aaron Lubrick, Robert Vanderpool & Aaron Von Seggern; Jan 3, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Grounds are always open dawn through dusk; call for visitor center and gallery hours; 203-761-9945, 203-834-1896.

Through Feb 1: “Preservation And Protection: Conservation of Art at Weir Farm National Historic Site,” 12 recently conserved, historic works on paper from Nat’l Historic Site’s collection by J. Alden Weir, his father Robert Walter Weir, Mahonri Young, & Weir’s daughters Caroline Weir Ely & Dorothy Weir Young, incl large pastel drawing that was study for 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

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

Through Jan 4: “Benjamin West and The Venetian Secret,” both versions of West’s “Cicero Discovering the Tomb of Archimedes,” along w/ recent technical analysis, copies of the fake manuscript regarding “long-forgotten recipes … of Venetian High Renaissance techniques of oil painting,” & other works on paper pertaining to the 1795.

Through Jan 4: “Sun, Wind and Rain: The Art of David Cox,” first major retrospective of Cox’s work ever in US, marking 150th anniv of artist’s death, examines the work of an important figure in the development of British landscape & watercolor paintings through 100+ watercolors & drawings, plus one dozen oils; Jan 3, exhibition tour, 11 am.

Auditions, Juried Events ________

Kent Singers, at Kent Center School, 9 Judd Ave, Kent. Call 860-672-2659.

Jan 7 & 14: Open rehearsals for 36th year of Kent Singers, 7-9 pm, interested vocalists invited to attend either full rehearsal of classical performance group w/ 20+ members from throughout tri-state area, call for addt’l info.

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Call 917-699-4045.

Jan 10-12: Open auditions for Camelot, based on T.H. White’s Once and Future King, Sat 12-2 pm, Sun-Mon 7-9 pm, rehearsals to be eves & some weekends mid-Feb to late May, performances Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun afternoons, May 29-June 27, contact director Craig David Rosen at above phone # for addt’l info.

Shakesperience Productions, 117 Bank St, Waterbury. Call 203-754-2531.

Jan 10: Auditions for Hamlet, 3-6 pm, openings for Claudius, The Ghost of Hamlet’s Father (non-speaking role) & 10-14-yr old boy, performance to be at Thomaston Opera House (April 17-18) then Howland Hughes Center in Waterbury (May 1-2),  unpaid roles.

 

Concerts, Musical Events ______

Jan 2: 2nd Annual Twelfth Night Celebration, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free renaissance theme celebration will include music, dance, dramatic readings, ceremonial carrying in of boar’s head and selection of king and queen, suitable for entire family, costumes encouraged, reception to follow; 426-9024,

426-6470.

Jan 3: NUMC Coffee House, 7:45-10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Road, adm $4 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate Misc listing), $5 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-9998.

Jan 11: Altan at Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne, 70 Sanford St, Fairfield, 4 & 7 pm, tickets $27, traditional & folk Irish music; 203-259-1036.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Jan 4, Little Feat, $55-$65; Jan 17, Patty Smyth and Scandal, $50, Loft opening; Jan 18, Joshua Redman, $50.

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-438-3889.

Performances at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge: Jan 10, “The Soldier’s Tale and More,” 8 pm, tickets $25-$50 adult, $15-$30 student, works of Stravinsky (The Soldier’s Tale) & Haydn (Symphony No 45 in F-sharp minor, “The Farewell Symphony”), will incl narration, dance & song.

For Kids & Families _____________

Jan 2: Celebrate the Season For Kids, The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 11 am-noon, grades K-4 invited for age-appropriate gallery tour of “Celebrate the Season,” to be followed by craft time, reservations requested; 203-331-1104 x106.

Jan 8 & 22: Two-Part Origami Class, Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 6:30-7:45 pm, grades 2-5 invited to learn basic origami folding, attendance at both sessions expected, snow date Jan 29, registration required; 794-8756 x5.

Miscellaneous ___________________

Jan 2: 2nd Annual Twelfth Night Celebration, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free renaissance theme celebration will include music, dance, dramatic readings, ceremonial carrying in of boar’s head and selection of king and queen, suitable for entire family, costumes encouraged, reception to follow; 426-9024,

426-6470.

Jan 3: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $9 adults, $8 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); 426-9998.

Jan 4: Post-Holiday Train & Toy Show, Courtyard Marriott, 780 Bridgeport Ave, Shelton, 9 am-2 pm, adm $5, free ages 12 & under w/ adult, Lionel & American Flyer trains & parts, all train gauges incl new manufacturers, also diecast vehicles, hobby & model collectibles, operting S gauge layout; 203-926-1327.

Jan 4: “Yoga Is More Than Postures: Skill in Action, Peace with Every Breath,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free program by JoAnn Livolsi will be followed by group meditation (instruction available) & informal tea reception; 263-2254.

Jan 6: “Change Your Life in 17 Minutes,” Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 7 pm, free program by Doreen Stern (a/k/a The Desk Doctor) will open library’s annual Resolutions Solutions Series, registration requested; 794-8756 x4.

Jan 10: Saturday Morning Bird Walk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 9 am, free walk to observe birds in the wild, sharpen bird ID skills or just for enjoyment of leisurely morning hike, may last up to 2 hours, all levels of birders welcome, meet in parking lot; 734-2513.

Jan 10: “Protecting Your Family Jewels,” Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, 2-3:30 pm, free presentation by Joe Brandy (author, Protecting The Family Jewels: How To Protect Your Jewelry fro Now, and for the Future w/ basic facts for caring for fine jewelry, home security measures, proper care of fine jewelry & more, NOT an appraisal clinic (do not bring jewelry to program for appraisals); 795-8061.

Jan 12: Bethel Library Book Group, at the library, 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 7:30 pm, discussion of The Memory Keeper’s Daughter by Kim Edwards, all welcome; 794-8756 x4.

Jan 13: “Dress For Success,” Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 7 pm, free program w/ fashion expert Kathryn Hunt, part of library’s annual Resolution Solutions Series, registration requested; 794-8756 x4.

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

426-4533.

Misc programs, free unless noted: Jan 13, Great Fireside Reads, 7:30 pm, discussion of Oliver Twist will be led by Julie Stern; Jan 22, Is Your Christmas Puppy Leaving You Presents? 7- 8:30 pm.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4505.

Reel Justice: Great Courtroom Dramas, free screenings 2 pm, free, lecture notes & discussion: Jan 2, Inherit the Wind.

Independent Film Series, free screenings, refreshments & discussion follow: Jan 11, Hawaii, Oslo.

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

426-2475.

(FILM) Jan 2-8: Walt Disney’s High School Musical 3: Senior Year (G), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Fri-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Jan 10, Animal Totems as Spirit Guides, 1-2:30 pm, $12 ($10 members), Lupo Connell will lead workshop about Native American beliefs in animal totems as guides for life journey incl meanings of different animals in life & following spiritual path; Jan 17, screening of Native American Healing in the 21st Century, 2 pm, documentary looks at Native American secrets of healthy life through traditional healing methods & how same plants & herbs are playing role in natural remedies & solutions today; Jan 24, Winter Walk, 12:30 pm, $8 adults ($6 members), $4 children, join Jamie Leffler for 2-hour program to learn about animals of the area, creating fire from friction & other winter survival skills.

Newtown Chess Club, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 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 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 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 3, Southbury Land Trust, moderate hike (leader Pat Callan, 264-2153); Jan 10, Whittle More Sanctuary, Woodbury, medium hike (leader Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); Jan 17, Silver Sands Beach Walk, Milford, easy hike (Ray Falk, 203-520-3793).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, New-town. 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.

Seasonal: Observation area open Dec 27 to March 11 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. Call 426-6224 (ask for Betty) or 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 _________________________

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

42nd Street, through Jan 4, curtain Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 5:30 & 8:30 pm, tickets $49 Fri-Sat, $39 Sun; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala, curtain 8 pm, tickets $75, performance followed by dancing w/ DJ Jimmy Cabaret until 2 am, party favors & noise makers, balloon drop, coffee & Danish, set ups, soda, mixers & parking.

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

The Producers, through Jan 11 (production extended), curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, call for ticket info.

On Stage II:

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

Mrs Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, through Jan 3 (production extended), curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm.

*******************

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 for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.