Antiques Shows______

May 22: Old Avon Village Merchants Assn Antiques Show, Old Avon Village (“just look for the big rocking chair), Rte 44, Avon, 10 am-5 pm, free adm, outdoor show; 860-257-3647.

May 29: Outdoor Antiques Show, Madison Town Green, Post Rd/Rte 1, Madison, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $4; 203-245-7394, 888-353-0552.

June 5: Annual Outdoor Ridgefield Antiques Market, Lounsbury House (Ridgefield Community Center), 316 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $6 (early buying 7 am, $20); 203-894-1921 show manager Corinne Burke), 203-438-6962 (Lounsbury House).

June 5: Second Annual Woodbury Antiques Fair, Three Rivers Park, Jack’s Bridge Rd (off Rte 47), Woodbury, 10 am-5 pm (early buying 8-10 am, $25), adm $8, benefit for Glebe House Museum will offer 200± dealers from immediate area & surrounding states; 845-876-0616.

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.

Through May 23, “Raw Energy,” paintings by David Eddy & William Thomson, also paintings & monoprints by Lisbeth Firmin.

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

Through June 12, “Recent Works: Tarol Samuelson,” new pcs by Newtown artist who conceptualizes works as electronic images before executing them in traditional media incl oil on canvas.

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 (lower meeting room): *(new show) Through May 28, “NHS Student Art: Selected Works,” mixed media, 2-D & 3-D works of art by students of NHS art teachers Diane Dutchick & Carol Pelligra.

In first floor display cases (near Children’s Dept): Through June 15, sports portrait figures created by local sculptors Jack Rudolf & Peter Rubino.

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

Through June 6, “Stand and Deliver: Handmade Moveable Books,” handmade artist books by 52 book & paper artists representing 24 states & 5 foreign countries.

Brookfield Historical Society, Rtes 133 & 25, Brookfield Center. Hours: Sat 12-4 pm, also by appt & by chance (when museum flag is displayed). Call 740-8140.

Through Aug 31, “Inner Space To Outer Space.”

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) May 15-Sept 12, “Off The Wall: Works from The JPMorgan Chase Collection,” approx 65 drawings from one of the foremost corporate art collections in the world incl 2-D & sculptural works, classic & modern, by Jean Michel Basquiat, Mathieu Mercier, Vik Muniz, Gerhard Richter, David Salle, Saul Steinberg, Mark Tanseu, et al.

The Cosmic Hippo, Kent Green Shopping Village, Kent. Hours: daily 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-927-3069.

Through May 31, “Dogs and The Animals They Chase,” animal themed art & fine crafts incl pet photography by Hank Meirowitz, stained glass by Heidi Kelly, pottery & ceramics by Marbie Kollath, oil paintings by Jerry Cable, photography by David Buck, handmade paper critters by Françoise Morgan & homemade gourmet dog biscuits by Rachel Sperry in addition to works on view by the gallery’s regularly-represented 55 artists.

Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm, Sun 12-10 pm. Call 203-266-4663.

Through June 7, “Lush Life,” recent works on acrylics by Joan Lockhart, who is celebrating her successful return to professional roots after years working as graphic designer.

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.

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 Aug 31, “Creating St Peter’s: Architectural Treasures of The Vatican,” artifacts that tell the continuing story of one of the world’s most famous & beloved landmarks incl Michelangelo’s 1560 study model for the dome of St Peter’s Basilica.

Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-753-0381.

Through Sept 5,” Back To Nature: City Parks and Country Retreats,” celebration of cherished retreats created during 20th Century to fill the needs of rapidly growing industrial community of Waterbury through original drawings by park architects, postcards, pictorial histories, broadsides for entertainment events, engravings, scrapbooks and more.

Miller Studio & Gallery/Beaux Arts 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 July 3, “The Modern Landscape,” works of Judith Andrew, Joy Bristow, Robert Crawford, Fran Henry-Meehan, MaJo Keleshian, Annabelle Meacham, Katrina Schmidt-Rinke & Tom Yost.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Sat 10 am-2 pm, Mon & Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through May 31, “A Personal Garden of Eden,” oil paintings by Kathi Packer, who uses brilliant color & fine detail to portray her vision of the Garden of Eden.

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. Museum Highlights Tour offered each Sun at 2 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

Through May 23, “Jeremiah Goodman’s Interiors,” paintings of interiors by NY artist that are imbued w/ the spirit of their inhabitants & reflect the interests & tastes of the rich & famous incl Greta Garbo, Sir John Gielgud, Mary Martin, Richard & Dorothy Rodgers, Diana Vreeland, Ronald & Nancy Reagan, et al.

Through May 23, “New/Now: Irene Hardwicke Olivieri,” paintings by Ms Olivieri, who translates the relationship between the natural world & her own life in colorful, mysterious images.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-5050.

Through June 1, “Dinosaur Eggs, Nests and Young,” more than 100 fossil dinosaur eggs & embryos at hands-on exploration stations & animated video presentations featuring well-known dinosaur experts allow visitors access to new evidence that unlocks the mysteries of dinosaur reproductive behavior.

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

Through May 30, “RGA Student & Faculty Show,” works by RGA art students, ages kindergarten through adult, also work of RGA instructors.

WCSU Warner Hall Gallery, 181 White St, Danbury. Call 837-8466.

Through May 23, “WCSU Spring Thesis Exhibition,” works by candidates to receive their master or fine arts degrees, marking culmination by 1 illustrator & 7 painters of 2 years of intensive study & creative work by students whose work depicts the disparity of their backgrounds through wide variety of themes & techniques.

Wilton Art Gallery & Framing, 379 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-762-8311.

Through May 31, “Collections: Jack H. Hellaby and Gregg Welz,” artist representations of the everyday things in life the two artists admire & collect – oils on canvas, monotypes & painted furniture by Mr Hellaby & Mr Welz.

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.

*(new show) May 21-Aug 22, “The Art of James Ward,” retrospective of one of finest animal, portrait & landscape painters of Regency England, drawn from YCBA’s collections of paintings, drawings, prints & manuscripts, offers viewers a rare opportunity to become acquainted w/ key works of the artist; May 22, exhibition tour, 1 pm, free; May 23, exhibition tour, 1 pm, free; May 27, exhibition tour, 11 am, free.

Through May 24, “Richard Hamilton: Prints and Multiples, 1939-2002,” more than 150 prints & multiples, as selected by the artist, offering retrospective of his work from first foray into drypoint in 1939, through leading work during Pop Art movement & into current work w/ digital media, works from artist’s private collection & loaned from Kunstmuseum Winterthur, Switzerland; May 22, exhibition tour, noon, free; May 23, exhibition tour, 2 pm, free; May 24, exhibition tour, 11 am, free.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Brookfield Arts Commission. Call 740-2801.

May 29: Dancers & singers, food vendors, artists & crafters being sought for International Cultural Festival, will run on Brookfield Town Hall property, 12-4 pm, contact Joanne Hunter ASAP for details.

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

May 26: Vacancies in all string, woodwind (except flutes), brass & percussion sections for 2004-05 season, auditions available by appt only, rehearsals will begin in Sept & meet each Wed 7-9 pm until May, call for details & appt.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

 

May 22: Newtown Choral Society Spring Concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, tickets $9 adults, $7 seniors & children 12 and under, selections from Smokey Joe’s Café, jazz standards & “Bohemian Rhapsody,” music director Mary Andreotta & singers will be joined by accompanist Todd Gorski, guest instrumentalists & soloist Daniel J. O’Connor (St Rose School 5th grade student); 426-3769.

May 22: CT Master Chorale at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $15/advance, $20/door, spring performance by 55-voice auditioned chorale will offer Dvorak’s Te Deum & Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise: A Symphonic Cantata, accompanied by CT Master Chorale Orchestra & professional soloists Louise Fauteux, Richard Slade & Brendan Cooke; 743-0473.

May 23: “Celebration of the Arts II,” Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 3 pm, tickets $15/advance, $18/door, performances by classical pianists Margarita Nuller and Rosaleen Rhee, vocalists Pamela J. Hoffman (soprano) & Boyd Schlaefer (bass-baritone) w/ accompanist Susan Anthony-Klein, also art show & sale by painters Betty Christensen, Ruth Newquist & Dimitry Shibayev, fundraiser for meeting house; 270-8293.

May 23: Harding University Concert Choir at Danbury Church of Christ, 90 Clapboard Ridge, Danbury, 6 pm, performance by 90-member mixed choir devoted primarily to presentation of sacred, unaccompanied music; 743-4400.

May 30: Pianist Barbara Geary at Promisek at Three Rivers Farm, 694 Skyline Ridge Rd, Bridgewater, $20 donation sugg, recital by Litchfield resident & piano teacher will incl works of Schubert, Ravel & Liszt, reception to follow; 860-354-1788.

Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-7001.

Ballroom, Latin & Swing Dance Party, every Wed 7-11 pm, $12, singles & couples welcome for free dance lessons (7:30), buffet dinner (8), open dancing to DJ selections, dressy attire (no jeans).

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: May 15, The Berkshire Baroque Trio, “extraordinary & unusual blend of recorder, harpsichord & baroque flute” w/ music of Baroque/Renaissance period; May 22, Nefesh, popular group specializes in Israeli & klezmer music and audience participation.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Hours: daily 11 am-5 pm. Call 426-1533.

“Garden Jazz,” Sun through Oct 10, 1-4 pm rain or shine, $10 (reservations a must), enjoy intimate jazz performance & wine tastings in garden overlooking vineyards, non-alcoholic drinks also available.

Films _________________

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

May 21-27: Shaolin Soccer (PG), daily 5:20 (mat), 7:20 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 3:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 3:20 pm; Shrek 2 (PG), Fri-Mon, Wed-Thurs 5:10 (mat), 7:30 & 9:35 pm, Tues 7:30 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 3 (& 5:10) pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:50 & 3 pm; Super Size Me (NR), Fri-Mon, Wed-Thurs 5 (mat), 7:20 & 9:15 pm, Tues 7:10 & 9:15 pm (no 5 pm show), mat Sat-Sun, Wed 12:40 & 2:50 pm; Troy (R), daily 6:40 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 3:35 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:30 & 3:35 pm.

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

Free screenings: May 23: Trois Couleurs: Rouge, 2 pm, in French w/ subtitles.

“Foreign Film Series: Newtown a la Cannes,” screenings 7:30 pm, free: May 27, Ali Zaoua (NR, adult situations, language & violence).

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

May 21-23: The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (PG-13), daily 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun pm.

May 24-June 2: Along Came Polly (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

May 22: Touch-A-Truck event, Christ’s Church, 59 Church Rd, Easton, 11 am-3 pm; 268-3569.

May 22: Professor C.O. Scope & His Traveling Magic Lantern Show, Rexford House, Monroe Green, Rte 111, Monroe, 7 pm, free (reservations suggested), children must be attended by adult, presentation using century-old Magic Lantern & antique hand painted glass slides; 261-8554.

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

June 1, discussion of Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix, 6:30 pm, program that is part of CT Book Voyagers program is open to readers in grades 3-6.

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

Through Aug 1, “Simply Sensational: An Exploration of The Sense,” family-oriented exhibition illustrates how people & animals use their senses to survive in & strive to understand the world.

New Pond Farm, 101 Marchant Rd, West Redding. Call 203-938-2117.

4 & 5-Year Olds w/ parents, $8 unless noted: May 24, Meet the Babies, 11 am-noon, come meet the farm’s newest residents.

Family Programs: May 22, Pigs, Lambs & Calves, 3-4 pm, $8/family, help Farmer Chris w/ farm chores & meet some new faces on the farm; May 23, Spring Treasure Hunt, 2:30-3:30 pm, $10/family, hunt the property for clues based on signs of spring.

Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Saturday Series For Children, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15 (series discounts available): May 22, Sleeping Beauty, beloved childhood favorite performed by American Family Theater.

Summer Series for Children, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15: June 4, Sugar Beats, performances 4 & 7 pm (note special times, also tickets $15 & 20 for this show), group led by Sherry Goffin Kondor performs hip, funky songs of 1960s-80s that parents & children can enjoy.

Miscellaneous _________

May 21-23: Annual Heritage Village Library Book Sale, Heritage Village Green, Heritage Rd, Southbury, Fri-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, 6,000+ items incl fiction, non-fiction, children’s books, tapes, records, audio books & more, proceeds benefit library; 267-7546.

May 21-24: Friends of Ridgefield Library Annual Spring Book Sale, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, Fri 8:30 am-5 pm (early buying 8:30-noon, $10 adm; no children’s books), Sat 9 am-5 pm (Children’s Party 10 am-2 pm), Sun 1-5 pm (all books half-price), Mon 10 am-5 pm ($5 bag sale 10 am-noon; remainders then free); 203-438-8093.

May 22: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections, “dress to impress” (no jeans permitted); 203-468-1144.

May 22: Second Annual Flanders Artists’ Day, Flanders Nature Center, Flanders Rd, Woodbury, 9 am-2 pm (rain date May 23), $5, all levels & all media invited to spend the day illustrating Flanders, resulting works will then be exhibited at Flanders the weekend of June 12-13, then at Woodbury Library June 15-30; 203-263-3711, 203-263-2548.

May 22: Church Tag Sale at First United Methodist Church of Shelton, 188 Rocky Rest Rd, Shelton, 9 am-2 pm rain or shine (event presented indoors), furniture, decorations, household goods, etc, plus bake sale & refreshments; 203-929-3537.

May 22: “Miss Jekyll’s Favorites: A Plant Sale,” Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, 49 Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 10 am-4 pm; 203-263-2855.

May 22: Artisans Alliance Craft Fair, at Danbury Airport’s Arrow Aviation Field, 21 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, unique creations by artisans from throughout region; 749-0863.

May 22: 2004 Nutmeg Stamp Festival, Christ Episcopal Church, 2000 Main St, Stratford, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, 20 dealers will be buying & selling US & worldwide stamps, collections, covers, postcards, etc, USPO will have substation set up, presented by Nutmeg Stamp Club; 203-384-8197.

May 22: Colonial Day at Keeler Tavern Museum, 132 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 10 am-5 pm, adm $6 adults, $5 seniors & students, free ages 5 & under, demos by Colonial craftsmen incl rope making, kettlecorn cooking, dried flower arranging, rug hooking, open put cooking, weaving, etc, also musicians, Punch & Judy puppet shows (11 am & 1 pm), ongoing presentations of The Eve of the Battle of Ridgefield, tavern building, Garden House & acres surrounding 18th C tavern building will all be open, games & activities for children, refreshments, etc; 203-438-5485.

May 22: Alliance Française of Northwestern CT annual meeting, Church of the Epiphany, 262 Main St North, Southbury, 10:30 am, $5 (non-members welcome), short business meeting following by program by author Peter Steiner (A French Country Murder) on how he came to write his first book, optional luncheon follows at Café Grappa (900 Main St South, reservations mandatory, call for details & entrée choices); 748-3489.

May 22: “Without Literature A People Cannot Exist: Rusyn Literature and Identity,” St John’s Church auditorium, 346 Mill Hill Ave, Bridgeport, 2 pm, free lecture by Prof Elaine Rusinko (professor of Russian language & literature at UMaryland, also author Straddling Borders: Literature and Identity in Subcarpathian Rus); 914-273-9019.

May 22: Professor C.O. Scope & His Traveling Magic Lantern Show, Rexford House, Monroe Green, Rte 111, Monroe, 7 pm, free (reservations suggested), children must be attended by adult, presentation using century-old Magic Lantern & antique hand painted glass slides; 261-8554.

May 23: 3rd Annual Bowlfest 50/50, Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, 12-4 pm, afternoon of food, music, fellowship, silent auction & sales of bowls created by faculty & students of BCC, proceeds benefit center’s ongoing campus renovation; 775-4526.

May 23: B’nai Israel Women’s Book Group meeting, B’nai Israel, 444 Main St South, Southbury, 2 pm, all welcome, guest speaker Sonda Zeidenstein will lead discussion of anthology Family Reunion; 203-263-0396.

May 25: “Flowers With Flair,” C.H. Booth Library (lower meeting room), 25 Main Street/Rte 25, Newtown, 1 pm. free program by Sherry Sanelli on designing floral arrangements for flower shows is hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown (non-members welcome); 270-1108.

May 27: “A Room With A View: Homes & Garden Tour,” 10 am-2 pm, tickets $45, ten homes & gardens in Brookfield incl sev antique properties of historical importance & some homes of unique architectural interest, also contemporary homes on Brookfield’s two lakes, all homes have special views of gardens, waterfronts or rolling hills, sponsored by & benefit for YMCA’s Escape to The Arts; 794-1413.

May 27: “History Bites: Footprints Under the Land,” Glebe House Museum, Hollow Rd, noon, free lecture by Stephen Bartkus will discuss recent archaeological evidence found at museum (rain location St Paul’s Church, Main St, Woodbury), concludes “4th annual History Bites” series, BYO light lunch (beverages & dessert provided); 203-263-2855.

May 27: “Gardening With Containers,” Glebe House Museum & Gertrude Jekyll Garden, 49 Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 6 pm, workshop presented by Jane

Brook Barba, call for fee details; 203-263-2855.

May 28: CT ConTacts Memorial Day Weekend Singles Dance, Colonial Tavern, off Rte 67, Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, indoor-outdoor eventwill feature picnic –style buffet, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40 & soft rock), casual dress OK; 203-468-1144.

May 29: Lobsterfest 2004 at Sherman Volunteer Fire Department, Rte 39, Sherman, fresh Main lobster available cooked or uncooked beginning 9 am, dinners served beginning 4 pm rain or shine, lobster only $12, lobster meal $15, dinners incl 1¼ lb lobster, corn, cole slaw, soft drinks & dessert, hot dogs & cookies also available, presented by Sherman Republican Town Committee; 860-354-6933.

May 29: International Cultural Festival at Brookfield Town Hall, Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 12-4 pm, free adm, ethnic pastries, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Brazilian & other foods, Irish dancing, Japanese band, henna tattoos, French love songs, Caribbean drinks, Russian food & crafts, face painting, pony rides & more; 740-2801.

May 30: Memorial Day Strawberry Festival, Brookfield Historical Society Museum, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield Center, 12-3 pm, annual event begins after Memorial Day Parade, sales of strawberry shortcake will benefit museum/historical society events & activities, live jazz band & antique car exhibit; 740-8140.

May 31: Open Turret Day at Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, wear shows & clothing appropriate for climbing into museum’s collection of military vehicles (which are not usually open to the public); 790-9277.

May 31: Fairfield Historical Society Tag Sale & Open House, 636 Old Post Rd, Fairfield, 9 am-4 pm, items donated by members of society,proceeds will benefit society; 203-359-1598.

June 1: “Black Bears and Coyotes in Connecticut,” Newtown Congregational Church House, 41-A Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free, monthly meeting of Housatonic Valley group/The Sierra Club will feature guest speaker Henry Woods (CT DEP) with illustrated lecture on animals that are begin seen more frequently in state’s towns, non-members welcome; 775-9644.

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, leave pets home: May 26, Adult Nature Walk, 8 pm, join staff members for 2±hour  walk to view birds & seasonal aspects of the center’s rich natural history.

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), adm $5 adults, $2 ages 18 & under.

Special Events: May 23, Historic Garden Walk, 3 pm, led by museum guide Jane Blaurock, visitors will learn about garden’s collection of 20 types of lilacs & learn about their history, care & special characteristics.

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

Free public programs: May 25, “Cooking Chinese with The Traveling Gourmet,” 7 pm, free program w/ check Norma Chang who will demo cooking techniques & discuss Chinese ingredients, table settings & more, space limited so RSVP required.

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

Early Morning Bird Walks, Sundays in May, 7 am, free guided walks (led by members of Western CT Bird Club) through fields & forests in search of varieties of birds that call Van Vleck Sanctuary their home.

Botany Bound, Sundays in May, 1 pm, free guided walks along Flanders’ Botany Trail.

Misc programs: May 22, Second Annual Flanders Artists’ Day, 9 am-2 pm (rain date May 23), $5, all levels & all media invited to spend the day illustrating Flanders, resulting works will then be exhibited at Flanders the weekend of June 12-13, then at Woodbury Library June 15-30 (203-263-2548, Artists’ Day organizer Joan Anthony).

Highstead Arboretum, 127 Lonetown Rd, Redding. Call 938-8809.

Garden Conservancy Sunday Walks, guided walks at 10 am, noon & 2 pm: May 23, Azalea Walk, view & learn about several of the East Coast native species azaleas in Highstead’s collection; Aug 8, Clethra Walk, one-hour guided walk to learn about & enjoy the magnificence of sweet pepperbush.

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

May 22, “Politics and Tribal Government,” 1-3 pm, included w/ museum adm ($4 adults, $2 ages 5-12), discussion by Wendell Deer With Horns (Tow Kettles Band, Lakota Nation) about politics & tribal government on Cheyenne River Reservation, where he spent young adulthood.

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

“Conversations from The Other Side” by Cheryl Scheinin, programs 2nd & 4th Sun each month, 4-6 pm, $30: next program May 23.

Dinner programs 4th Sat/month, $35/adv, $40/door, reservations required: May 27, dinner at Stony Hill Inn, Rte 6, Bethel.

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: May 22, Bushkill Falls, Penn., all day hike, entrance fee, very picturesque, dinner is optional, leader is Morie Colburn (203-937-8067); May 29, Bartholemew’s Cobble, Mass., entrance fee $4; leader is Claire Sivacek (744-0086); June 5, Minnewaska, New Paltz, N.Y., all day hike, ten miles, entrance fee, moderate to difficult, dinner optional; leader is Morie Colburn (203-937-8067).

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.

Sacred Grounds/Trinity Productions workshops, 24 Alpine Circle, Sandy Hook or Brookfield Commons, 246 Federal Rd, Suite C-23A, Brookfield (call for location), or by appt, or in-home by appt. Call 426-9448.

Workshops to communicate w/ angels, God, deceased or living by guidance, 2nd & 4th Sat/month in Sandy Hook, 1-3 pm, $40, call for details.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: Fridays in May, Touched by Angels with Nancy Ellany, 7:30-9:30 pm, $10.

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: May 26, oil program by Anda Styler.

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.

Theatre ______________

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

Playwrights Collective readings, 1 pm, suggested donation $5, readings of original work followed by audience discussions: May 23, Chieftains, original work of Middletown playwright James Childs.

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

Let’s Go! May 25-27, curtain 7:30 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 ages 18 & under, special presentation of original production by Original Works Inc, adult content & material (viewer discretion advised).

Idols of The King, May 21-Aug 1, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $32.50 & $42.50, student, senior & group discounts available.

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

Call Me Madam, through July 3, curtain Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed & Sun 2 pm, Sat 4 pm, tickets $22-$51 (student rush tickets available, call for info).

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

Edward Albee’s Home Life & The Zoo Story, through June 20, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun-Thurs 7:30 pm, call for mat schedule (selected Wed, Sat & Sun).

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

Hamlet, through May 23, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $38-$55.

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

The Rink, through June 12, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $18 adults, $12 seniors & students, contains adult language (not recommended for children); also Thurs, June 3, 8 pm.

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

Route 66, through June 6, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50.

Square One Theatre Company, Stratford Theatre, 2422 Main St, Stratford. Call 203-375-8778.

As It Is In Heaven, through May 22, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat (*May 22 only) 4 pm, tickets $16 adults, $15 seniors & children.

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

The Beauty Queen of Leenane, through May 22, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 9 only) 2 pm, tickets $15.

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

Don’t Dress for Dinner, through May 29, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 23 only) 2 pm, tickets $15 ($12 matinee).

 

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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 .