Antiques Shows______

Sept 13: Outdoor Antiques Show, Madison Town Green, Rte 1, Madison, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine (early buying 8 am, $10), adm $4, 50+ dealers; 203-245-7394, 888-353-0552.

Sept 20-21: 30th Fall Hartford Antiques Show, CT Expo Center, 265 Rev Moody Overpass, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $8 (incl readmission Sun), free parking, 40 booths; 207-767-3967.

Sept 21: 18th Phonograph & Music Box Record Show, The Inn at Ethan Allen, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 7 am-3 pm; 330-325-7866.

Sept 21: 26th Annual Litchfield Postcard Show, Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam/Rte 202, Litchfield, 10 am-4:30 pm, adm $2; 203-888-0205.

Sept 21: Wilton DAR Antiques Marketplace, Wilton High School Field House, Rte 7, Wilton, 10 am-5 pm (early buying 8:30 am, $20), adm $8, 125 dealers in room settings, proceeds benefit Drum Hill DAR; 203-462-3525.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Bachelier-Cardonsky Gallery, Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt during week. Call 860-927-3129.

*(new show) Sept 13-30, “Global Warmth,” paintings by Kirill Doron, Hector Destefanis & Suzanne Howes-Stevens; Sept 13, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Beaux Arts Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: M-F 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-263-3939.

Through Oct 2, “New England Waterways,” recent work by David Dunlop featuring waterways of New England incl pcs finished following this summer’s trip to Maine; Sept 13, opening reception & artist’s talk, 4-6 pm.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-869-0376.

*(new show) Sept 20-Jan 11, “JFK and Art,” first exhibition to examine how Ameircan & European artists help shape the Kennedy legend & legacy offers 40+ paintings, sculptures, drawings & photos from public & private collections around the world, show investigates JFK’s myth & mystique in relation to the art of its time; Sept 22, “Monday Morning History Lecture: Abstract Expresionism in America,” 10 am, $14 (series discounts available), a look at the artists & art movements related to the exhibition by guest speaker drawn from regional sources.

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

Through Sept 15, “Political Threads: Three Decades of Connecticut First Ladies’ Dresses, 1971-2001,” 6 inaugural dresses – 1 from Mary Meskill, 2 from Nikki O’Neill, 1 from Claudia Weicker & 2 from Patty Rowland – reflecting visual, historic touchstone in CT’s political & fashion timelines.

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

Through Sept 22, “Beasts, Butterflies & Blossoms,” works by gallery artists.

Through Sept 30, “Solo Exposure,” works by Sherri Baxter; Sept 7, opening reception (feat entertainment by guitarist Joe Beck), 1-5 pm.

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

*(new show) Sept 14-28, plein-aire paintings recently done by students of Marija McCarthy; Sept 14, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Hours: M-Th 12-5 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 203-365-7650.

*(new show) Sept 14-Nov 6, “In The Realm of The Absurd,” work by 25 Latin American & Caribbean artists who use their work to talk about their thoughts on past, present & future; Sept 14, opening reception, 1-3:30 pm.

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

Through Oct 13, recent paintings by Frederick Velardi, who observes that color & shape are his primary subject matter.

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.

Ruth A. Haas Library, 181 Main St (WCSU main campus), Danbury. Hours: Mon-Thurs 8 am-11 pm, Fri 8 am-4 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 1-9 pm. Call 837-9100.

Through Sept 19, “One Day/One Book,” celebration of Joyce’s most acclaimed work features rare editions of Ulysses treasured for their design, also commemorative stamps from Nat’l Postal Museum, Joyce’s death mask, first-edition volume of Ulysses, more.

Through Sept 28, “The Great Outdoors,” original works & giclee prints by Tom Cooke, Bob Crofut, Robert Ferrucci, Robert Giusti, Michael Patterson, John Spann, John Swatsley & Janine Wesselmann that offer impressionistic, realist, folk art & surrealist looks at each artist’s interpretation of the show’s theme.

Housatonic Museum of Art/Burt Chernow Galleries at Housatonic Community College, 90 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Wed, Fri 8:30 am-5:30 pm, Thurs 8:30 am-7 pm, Sat 9 am-3 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-332-5000.

*(new show) Through Dec 12, “Weir Farm Visiting Artists 2003: An Exhibition of Their Exploration of The Historic Site,” recent work by 5 female artists – Barbara Allen, Sue Collier, Suzanne Howes-Stevens, Constance Kiermaier & Dorothy Powers – each of whom has been a Weir Farm Visiting Artist; Sept 14, opening reception, 1-3 pm; Sept 14, panel discussion, 2 pm.

Jeffrey Weiss Gallery, 2938 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Thurs-Sun 12-5 pm & by appt. Call 203-333-7733.

*(new show) Sept 14-Oct 10, “The Medium Is Not The Message,” unique contemporary wood sculpture by master woodworker Christopher Cantwell; Sept 14, opening reception, 2-5 pm.

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

Through Sept 30, “Small World Portraits,” colorful & limited edition photos by professional photographer Don Garbera of “the small world which exists within the ‘wilds’ of backyards & woodlands.”

Paris-New York-Kent Gallery, Kent Station Square, Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-927-4152.

*(new show) Sept 13-Oct 12, “Guilleux and Nouveau Guilleux,” recent paintings by Herve Guilleux; Sept 13, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Potter & Slack Fine Art, Rte 202, Marbledale. Hours: Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-868-3245.

*(new show) Sept 20-Nov 16, “From Ship To Shore,” paintings, pastels & watercolors by 4 generations of artists who celebrate the delights of the water’s edge & the seagoing life incl works of Reynolds Beal, Frederick Judd Waugh, Curtis Hanson, George Van hook, et al; Sept 20, opening reception, 4-7 pm.

Ridgefield Guild of Artists (RGA) Gallery, Halpin La, Ridgefield. Hours: Thurs-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-438-8863.

Through Sept 14, “Women’s Work,” group show by members of Women’s Caucus for Art explores theme of women’s work in various mediums (incl work by Bahijeh Mehri & Virginia Zic of Newtown); Sept 14, Nina Bentley, 3 pm.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-278-2670.

Through Sept 14, “Zarina Bhimji/MATRIX 150,” film installation by London-based artist who is among contemporary artists whose work addresses themes of memory, loss & vulnerability, bring presented for first time in US.

Through Oct 5, “Hooking: Folk Art To Fiber Art,” 21 hooked rugs drawn from museum collections & private lenders (incl award-winning rug artist Liz Alpert Fay of Sandy Hook), meant to complement Nutting exhibitions.

Walsh Art Gallery at Quick Center, Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-254-4000 x2969.

*(new show) Sept 18-Dec 14, “Across Time: The Photographs of Cynthia Brumback,” miniature still lifes, pcs combining old tintypes w/ natural settings, composites & 2-panel couplets covering the career of an artist “whose quicksilver intuition produces graceful floral works & intriguing composites & folding books”; Sept 18, opening reception, 6-8 pm (*informal talk by Ms Brumback, 6:30).

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm (closed Wed), Sun 2-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through Sept 28, recent paintings by Cathy Osman, Loran Ritz & Marlene Rye, each of whom specializes in landscapes w/ their own personality.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-2800.

On view indefinitely, “Revisiting Tradition: Painting & Sculpture in The Twentieth Century”; Sept 11, exhibition tour, 11 am; Sept 13, exhibition tour, noon; Sept 14, exhibition tour, 2 pm; Sept 18, exhibition tour, 11 am; Sept 27, exhibition tour, noon.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury. Call 748-1716.

Sept 19-20: Auditions for all dancing roles for Annual Nutcracker Ballet, area dancers invited to open auditions, all ages (ages 7 & up incl teens & adults) invited, most roles are for dancers w/ formal training, very few roles available for non-dancers, auditions & performances at Danbury High School, performances will be Dec 12-14, call for appt time, artistic director/choreographer is Arthur Fredric, co-director/choreographer is Lisa Denton, assoc director/choreographer is Bianca Johnson.

St Rose Cabaret, St Rose Church Hall, 49 Church Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 426-1014.

Sept 19 & 21: Auditions for “It’s A Grand Night For Singing” – cabaret show open to all members of community, 7-9 pm, open to those w/ vocal, instrumental, dancing and/or acting ability, singers should prepare 1 ballad & 1 uptempo song, call for audition time, performances to be Oct 17-18.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Sept 12-14: 9th Annual Greater Danbury Irish Festival, Ives Concert Park, WCSU westside campus, off Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, Fri 5-10:30 pm, Sat 11 am-10:30 pm, Sun 11 am-7 pm, adm $10 adults/day, $5 college students w/ ID, free ages 12 & under, live music by Tipperary Knights, Highland Rovers, Merry Ploughboys, more, also step dancers, ceili & set dancing, cultural exhibits, Irish imports, food & drink, souvenir tents, children’s activities & sporting demos; 730-8211.

Sept 13: Recital by Daniela Sikora and friends, Keeler Tavern Museum Garden House, 132 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, tickets $45, champagne reception 6 pm, performance begins 6:30, performance by coloratura soprano Sikora, accompanied by Gina Wilson, clarinetist Hilary Brown, Ridgefield Chorale’s Small Ensemble & vocalist Wendy Cahill will incl works of Schubert, Barber, Bizet, Porter, Bernstein, et al, program is a benefit for Ridgefield Chorale, very limited seating, reservations strongly suggested; 203-438-7937.

Sept 16: The Community Wind Ensemble at Pomperaug Woods, Heritage Rd, Southbury, 6:30 pm, free outdoor concert will offer program of classical & American music, BYO chairs or blankets for seating, concert will move indoors if rain; 262-6555.

Sept 19: “Start of The Season Gala: Vonda Shepard,” Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, event begins 6:30, concert at 8:30, tickets $175 & $225, cocktail reception followed by Ms Shepard’s performance, optional Meet & Greet reception follows, fundraiser for playhouse & kick-off for new season; 203-438-5795.

Sept 19-21: Housatonic Dulcimer Celebration X, workshops & performances at St John’s Episcopal Church (7 Whittlesey Avenue), New Milford Public Library (24 Main St) & First Congregational Church of New Milford (36 Main St), New Milford, performances at St John’s (Fri 7:30 pm, tickets $12, featuring sets by Bernadette Wiemer, Rob Brereton, Doofus, David Neiman, Carrie Crompton, Guy George & Sue Ford; Sat noon, $10, featuring Thomasina & Friends; Sat 7:30, $10, Stephen Seifert, Ken Kolodner, Lorraine & Bennett Hammond); 860-669-5618, www.robear.net.

Sept 20: Annual Classic Car Show & Sock Hop at Ashlar of Newtown/Lockwood Lodge, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, free adm, annual show features classic cars in great condition, live music, dancing encouraged, all welcome; 426-5847.

Sept 20: Music Learning Center 10th Anniversary Benefit Concert, WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7:30 pm, tickets $12 adults, $6 seniors & children ages 12 & under, performances by 30+ musicians incl Learning Center director Jeff McGill (of Newtown) w/ program of classical, jazz & original music; 748-1444.

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

Stage A/Performance Art & Music Series, performances 8 pm: Sept 17, Kronos Quartet at Ridgefield Playhouse (80 East Ridge), tickets TBA, Grammy Award-winning “neo-classical group” is known for unique artistic vision & fearless dedication to experimentation.

Merryall Center for the Arts, Chapel Hill Rd (off Merryall Rd), New Milford. Call 860-354-7264.

Performances 8:30 pm (unless noted), tickets $15, season tickets available: Sept 13, flutist Rhonda Larson; Sept 20, Shrdlu And Friends, local artist will return for 4th performance at Merryall, this time the harmonica, fiddle, guitar & exotic instrument performer will be joined by musicians on guitar, bass, percussion, trombone, violin & mandolin.

Films _________________

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

Sept 13-18: American Splendor (R), daily 7:35 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:10 pm, also daily mat 5:20 pm, also Freudian Flicks Sat 11 am (screening & discussion of movie, call for ticket prices); Le Divorce (PG-13), daily mat 5 pm; Magdalene Sisters (R), daily 7:25 & 9:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 12:50 & 3 pm, also daily mat 5:10 pm; Step Into Liquid (PG-13), daily 7:15 & 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 pm; Thirteen (R), daily 7:45 & 9:55 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 3:20 pm; Whale Rider (PG-13), mat daily 5:30 pm.

Sunday Classic with Dr Lowry, 10:30 am, $10 incl film, pre-screening info & post-screening discussion:

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

Through Sept 13: The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Tues 1 pm, Sat 1 & 4 pm.

Sept 14-19: The Italian Job (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Call 203-852-0700.

Now showing: Coral Reef Adventure, daily 11 am, noon, 2 & 4 pm; Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey, Mon-Fri 1 pm, Fri-Sun also 6:30 & 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 5 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Sept 13: Open Skate & Skateboard Competition, Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 1- am-5 pm, free admission to visit vendors and watch skaters, $5 fee for open skating, $10 for competition, music, raffles, proceeds to benefit Newtown Skate Park Fund; 426-4581.

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

Free public programs: Sept 14, Madeline Costume Character Visit, 3:30 pm, meet Madeline, shake her hand & hear readings of some of her favorite titles; Sept 18, Cat & mouse Storytime, 11 am, readings of Jiwon Oh’s Cat & Mouse: A Delicious Tale, & others, will prove that the relationship between cat & mouse can be amicable.

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

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Sept 17, Young Adult Book Discussion, 4 pm, Liz Arneth & Margaret Brown will lead discussion of Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix.

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

Zoo adm is $7 adults, $5 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, programs included w/ adm: Sept 13, Animal Enrichment Day, 12-3 pm (raindate Sept 14), zookeepers will discuss & demonstrate how they keep zoo’s animals mentally stimulated & physically active. Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

2003-04 Saturday Series For Children, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15 (series discounts available): Sept 13, Tom Chapin in concert, 2 pm (no early show), tickets $20 & $25, series opener by natural-born entertainer is also fundraiser for playhouse.

Miscellaneous ___________

Sept 12-13: Waterbury Festival 2003, Library Park, Grand St, Waterbury, Fri 4-10 pm, Sat 11 am-11 pm, free adm, family-friendly extravaganza highlighted this year w/ free concert (Sat 8 pm) by The Four Tops, 25 food & beverage vendors, custom motorcycle show (Fri), pre-1974 Car Cruise (Sat), children’s activities & entertainment, continuous live entertainment, more; 203-574-6712.

Sept 12-14: 9th Annual Greater Danbury Irish Festival, Ives Concert Park, WCSU westside campus, off Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, Fri 5-10:30 pm, Sat 11 am-10:30 pm, Sun 11 am-7 pm, adm $10 adults/day, $5 college students w/ ID, free ages 12 & under, live music by Tipperary Knights, Highland Rovers, Merry Ploughboys, more, also step dancers, ceili & set dancing, cultural exhibits, Irish imports, food & drink, souvenir tents, children’s activities & sporting demos; 730-8211.

Sept 13: Open Skate & Skateboard Competition, Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 1- am-5 pm, free admission to visit vendors and watch skaters, $5 fee for open skating, $10 for competition, music, raffles, proceeds to benefit Newtown Skate Park Fund; 426-4581.

Sept 13: Art Auction, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, preview 7 pm, auction begins 8 pm, tickets $10/person or $15/2 people, auction conducted by Ross Galleries will incl choice artistry of all prices & types incl sports memorabilia & sculpture, also distinctive gem designs from Addessi’s of Ridgefield, refreshments, door prizes, raffles, sponsored by Newtown Residential Preservation Scty; 426-0406, 270-9344.

Sept 13: Autumn Crafts Fair at Wilton High School, Rte 7, Wilton, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, presented by Artisans Alliance; 749-0843.

Sept 14: New England Patriot Legends vs Newtown Hook & Ladder All-Stars Benefit Softball Game, Dickinson Park, Elm Dr, Newtown, 1 pm, tickets by donation, refreshments, fire safety booth, fundraiser for fire dept towards equipment & general repairs, sponsored by The Homesteads of Newtown.

Sept 14: 28th Annual Cider & Donuts And Arts & Crafts Festival, The Riverwalk, Canal St (near Rte 110 & Rte 8), Shelton, 10 am-4 pm (rain date Sept 21), free adm, artists & crafters from several states, refreshments; 203-926-8802.

Sept 15: CT Poetry Society/Danbury area chapter meeting at Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St (at corner of West), Danbury, 6-8 pm, free & open to non-members, bring copies of original poems to share or just sit in for critiques, group meets 3rd Mon/month; 790-8073.

Sept 15: “How To Paint A Portrait in Pastels,” Candlewood League of Artists program at New Fairfield Public Library, Brush Hill Rd/Rte 39, New Fairfield, 7-8:30 pm, free demonstration by the portrait artist Ralph Schwartz is open to anyone interested in pastel portraits; 746-9100.

Sept 16: 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.

Sept 16: “Ashlar Lunch & Learn: Avoiding Falls During the Fall,” Lockwood Lodge at Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, 12-1:30 pm, pre-registration required, program by rehabilitation manager Jennifer Brennan will concern preventing falls, lunch at noon, program begins 12:30; 364-3127.

Sept 16: “The Osprey: The Roller Coaster Ride of An Endangered Species,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 7:30 pm, $4, program by wildlife biologist Julie Victoria on CT DEP wildlife division’s efforts concerning the osprey past, present & future; 729-0677.

Sept 17: Rocking Rooster Square Dance Club Open House, Sand Hill Plaza mall area (indoors, near TJ Maxx), 228 South Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, begins 8 pm, free opportunity to meet club members, try dancing & learn about club without obligation, 2nd open house planned for Sept 24; 426-6548, 426-4817.

Sept 17: Housatonic Valley Paddlers Club meeting, CL&P Service Center, Barnabas Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, non-members always welcome, program on “River Reading,” discussion of recent trips & upcoming adventures; 203-263-3281.

Sept 20: 4th Annual Classic Car Show & Sock Hop at Ashlar of Newtown/Lockwood Lodge, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, 10 am-2 pm, free adm, annual show features classic cars in great condition, live music, dancing encouraged, all welcome; 426-5847.

Sept 20: Friends of Ridgefield Library Book Fair, at the library, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 9 am-5 pm, paperback & children’s books all 50¢, proceeds will support library programs & purchases; 203-438-8093.

Sept 20: 24th Annual Lawn Festival, Marian Heights, 1428 Nazareth Tpke/Rte 111, Monroe, free adm, giant tag sale, hay rides, children’s games, peting zoo, games of chance & skill, raffle, Bingo, presented by Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth; 268-6540, 459-8286.

Sept 20: 20th Annual Immanuel Lutheran Church Chicken BBQ, 25 Great Hill Rd (off Rte 67), Oxford, 4:30-7 pm, tickets $8 adults, $4 ages 12 & under, roasted chicken, corn, baked potato, salad bar, apple pie & beverages; 203-888-4713.

Sept 20: Woodbury United Methodist Church Spaghetti Supper, 3 Church St, Woodbury, 4:45-7 pm, $8 adults, $7 senior citizens, $3.50 children, church beginning 4th season of monthly events featuring full spaghetti dinners, sides, desserts & soft drinks; 203-263-4775.

Sept 20-21: 3rd Annual Applefest Crafts Fair, Blue Jay Orchards, Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, free adm, crafters from across New England participating, sponsored by Artisans Alliance; 749-0863.

Sept 21: Equinox Psychic Fair, Radisson Hotel, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 11 am-6 pm, free adm, readings by area psychics, clairvoyants, astrologers, tarot & gemstone readers, also energy balancer Jean Hacker, pet psychic Donna Velardi (bring photo, not pets); 792-2939.

Sept 21: Colonial Fair & Muster Day, Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 12-5 pm, free adm, ca 1700-style entertainment, old-fashioned muster presentation, hearth cooking, story telling by Tom Hanford, stagecoach rides, Colonial-era games, more; 203-263-2855.

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: Sept 17, Adult Nature Walk, 9 am, $5, center faculty member will lead leisurely walk on one of center’s trails, bring binoculars if possible; Sept 21, Weekend Nature Walk, 2 pm, $5, 2-hour walk led by a naturalist is for all ages interested in nature.

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

Free public programs: Sept 16, author program w/ Katharine Weber, 7:30-9 pm, author of The Little Women will discuss & sign copies of her new novel.

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

Programs free unless noted: Sept 16, Mystery Book Group, call for start time, discussion of Anthea Fraser’s Pretty Maids All in A Row; Sept 13, Computers for The True Beginners, 9 am-noon, registration requested, class for beginners will be led by Dan Tannenbaum; Sept 18, Evening Book Group, 7:30 pm, discussion of Laura Hillenbrand’s Seabiscuit; Sept 20, Computers for The Advanced Users, 9 am-noon, registration requested, $10, class for beginners will be led by Dan Tannenbaum.

Flanders Nature Center/Van Vleck Farmhouse, Flanders & Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-3711.

Art at The Nature Center/Candlelight Art Evenings, 7:30 pm, $5: Sept 19, “Artists of The Litchfield Hills,” lecture & book signing by Robert Austin (author of new release of same name).

Kismet, programs at Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 748-3125.

Meetings 2nd & 4th Sun each month, 4-6 pm, $30: Sept 14, “Conversations With the Other Side,” featuring spiritual medium & clairvoyant Cheryl Scheinin.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897, 270-4340.

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome, bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Sept 13, Carmel, N.Y. Rail Trail, hike or bike (Nancy Ziegler, 203-732-2618); Sept 20, Tarrywile Park, Danbury (Jo Tolg, 264-2308).

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: Sept 24, “Painting Flat”/interactive demo-program by Sandra Kensler, BYO favorite art materials.

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: Sept 17, Chocolate Waters; Sept 24, James Scrimgeour.

Theatre ______________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Brookfield Playhouse, Rte 25, Brookfield Center.

The Prisoner of Second Avenue, through Sept 27, curtain Thurs (Sept 18 only), Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 14 only) 2 pm, tickets $15;

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

SummerStage 2003: Say Goodnight Gracie: The Life, Laughter and Love of George Burns and Gracie Allen, through Sept 20, call for curtain schedule & ticket prices.

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

Mainstage: The Syringa Tree, Sept 17-Oct 19 (previews Sept 17-23, opening night Sept 24), curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets ($30-$40 during previews) $38-$55; Sept 17, Pay What You Can preview performance; Sept 18, Theatre 101, 7 pm (pre-performance program). Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-757-4676.

Kiss Me, Kate, through Sept 14, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $17/adv, $19/door.

On Stage II (community theatre):

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

Lives of The Saints (David Ives one-acts), through Sept 27, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 21 only) 2 pm, tickets $12 evening shows, $10 mat; production will offer Ives’ The Mystery at Twicknam Vicarage, Captive Audience & Lives of The Saints.