Antiques Shows __________________________

Feb 28-March 1: Orange Historical Society Antiques Show, High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Rd, Orange, 10 am-4 pm, adm $4.50; 203-795-6465.

Art Exhibits, Museums, Historic Places ____________________________

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport; 203-331-1104.

Through March 29: “Freedom Dancing,” works by Bridgeport painter & poet Shanna Melton, whose imagery reflects an intimate response to the African diaspora.

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — *(new show) Through Feb 28: nearly 50 photographs, most in color, by members of Candlewood Camera Club.

In first floor display cases — Through Feb 20: “The Wonderful World of Miniatures,” tiny dioramas from found & purchased objects created by Martha Bishop.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield; 775-4526.

Through March 8: “Sacred Containment: Vessels, Nests and Shelters,” art forms created using earth-born & contemporary materials by curator Miani Carnevale & 12 addt’l artists.

Featured Artist of the Month, special presentations in BCC Gift Shop: Through Feb 28: intricate vests, sweaters, scarves, bags & glass pcs by fiber artist Beryl Maddalena, and complementary works by lampwork glass artist Stephanie Maddalena (Beryl’s daughter).

Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rtes 133 & 25), Brookfield Center; 740-8140.

*(new show) Through Feb 28: “Valentines on View,” vintage Valentine’s Day cards & postcards, circa 1900-1950s, from former collection of Mrs Carrie Ferry (collection since donated to museum).

Through March 22: “Ann Chernow: Picasso Project,” prints by the Westport artist that follow the printing techniques of Pablo Picasso, collaborative project done w/ master printer James Reed to replace toxic media used in Picasso’s printer’s workshop; Feb 19, opening reception 12-3 pm, artist’s talk at 1:30 pm.

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

Through March 22: “Lest We Forget: Images of the Civil Rights Movement,” compelling presentation of work by the late Woodbury artist Robert Templeton, who devoted two-plus decades to creating portraits of those who personified the Civil Rights Movement.

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

Through Feb 23: “Birds From The Hand,” works on paper by Audrey Anastasi & sculpture by Deborah Menzell Dressler.

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.”

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

Through May 3: “‘Endless Forms’: Charles Darwin, Natural Sciences and the Visual Arts,” highlight of global celebration of Darwin’s bicentenary will explore impact of Darwin’s most important theories on visual artists of the late 19th & early 20th Centuries; Feb 15, exhibition tour, 2 pm; Feb 18, lecture “Darwin, Evolutionary Aesthetics, and Victorian Visual Culture,” 5:30 pm; Feb 19, exhibition tour, 11 am; Feb 21, exhibition tour, noon.

Concerts, Musical Events   ______________

Feb 13: “Be My Valentine: Valentine’s Day Through the Ages,” Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 1-3 pm, free workshop for all ages led by Laurie Pasteryak will have participants creating unique valentines while learning variety of art techniques & viewing antique valentines from museum’s collection, registration requested, young children must be accompanied; 203-753-0381 x10.

Feb 14: Marc Black at Roots Music Coffeehouse, Common Ground Annex dance studio, 345 Main St (former CityCenter Dance Factory), Danbury, doors open 6:30 pm, music begins at 7, open mic at 8, featured performer at 9, sugg donation $10/adv, $12/door, refreshments available; 417-9607.

Feb 18: “Love Songs,” Nunnawauk Meadows Community Building, 3 Nunnawauk Rd, Newtown, 3 pm, free performance & sing-along of seasonal songs led by professional vocalist, refreshments; 426-5000.

Feb 19: WCSU Midtown Coffeehouse, Western CT State Univ Alumni Hall, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, free adm, open mic performances 8 pm, feature act Tim Walsh at 9; 837-9700.

Feb 21: The Boston Duo at Pomperaug Woods Wilson Hall, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 3 pm, free but reservations requested, performance by piano-violin duo; 262-6555.

Feb 21: “From Puccini To Pops,” Chase Collegiate School Smith Cornerstone Room, 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 7 pm, $25, $15 students, seniors & staff, performance of classical arias & contemporary show tunes by soprano Marissa Famigliette, baritone Shae Apland & pianist Michael Ferrari, proceeds to benefit Chase Singers Carnegie Hall Residency;

203-236-9588.

Feb 21: FairWestSwing Swing Lessons & Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, introductory dance lesson 7:30 pm, supplementary lesson 8:30, open dancing to jump & swing blues 9:30-midnight, $20 (incl 1 lesson, or $5 for 2nd lesson; students $5 discount), very beginner friendly, no partner required, music provided by The Blue Saracens & swing DJ “Stretch”, hosted by FairWestSwing Project; 203-522-5341.

Feb 22: Storm King Brass at The Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free concert by 5 members of US Military Academy Band to incl diverse program, reception follows; 775-6241 x104.

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

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, tickets $18, $16 seniors, free ages 5-14, reception follows performances: March 1, The Hugo Wolf Quartett, program to incl early & late Haydn string quartets & premier of new Wolfgang Muthspiel work.

For Kids & Families ______________________

Feb 13: The Princess and The Pea by St Rose School and Missoula Children’s Theatre, St Rose School Gathering Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, $10; 426-3405.

Feb 16-17: Kids’ Days, The Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, crafts & games incl talking stick & games (1 pm each day, $7 children, $5 adults) & beaded necklace w/ arrowhead & games (2:30 each day, $6 children, $5 adults), join IAIS educators for Native American inspired crafts & games of skill & change, for ages 4 & up, registration requested; 860-868-0518.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Feb 14, Rapunzel by Purple Rock Productions, 2 pm, free (registration required), puppet play adaptation of classic story recommended for ages 4-9.

Miscellaneous _________________ ___________

Feb 13: Ziti Dinner at United Methodist Church of Danbury, 5 Clapboard Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, 5-7 pm, $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 ages 10 & under, ziti & meatball dinner w/ bread, salad, desserts & drinks, 746-2262.

Feb 14: “An Affair to Remember: 2nd annual Trinity Church Wine Tasting,” Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-10 pm,  $30, food & wine samples, silent auction, entertainment, proceeds to support church’s youth programs, also Newtown Youth & Family Services;

426-9070.

Feb 14: “Women of the Night 2: Comedy For Valentine’s Day,” Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8:30 pm,  $20-$25, VIP seating also available, Treehouse Comedy Club show by Cory Kahaney, Carie Karavas, Pat Candaras & Peaches Rodrigues; 268-5857.

Feb 15: Wedding Steps Valentine Bridal Extravaganza, Western CT State Univ O’Neill Athletic & Convocation Center (westside campus), Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, 1-5 pm, free adm, display of products & services; 746-7648.

Feb 15: “The Power of Presence: Mastery 1,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free talk by David Van Handel will be first of 2-part into to his March workshop, group meditation (instruction available) & tea reception follows; 263-2254.

Feb 17: “The Penny Postcard during the 20th Century,” The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 1 pm, program by Bob Berthelson (charter member & past president, The CT Post Card Club) will discuss the significant role of penny postcards during early 20th Century incl Feb celebrations, children invited to make their own (supplies provided) following presentation, incl w/ museum adm ($2 all ages each Tues); 203-331-1104 x106.

Feb 18: “The Craft Criterium: The Tao of Inspiration,” Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, 8 pm, presentation by Susan Bradley will explore the mysterious yet dynamic relationship between universal life force known as Chi energy & the inner dimensions of creativity; 775-4526.

Feb 19-22: 28th Annual CT Flower & Garden Show, CT Expo Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, Thurs-Sat 10 am-8 pm, Sun 10 am-6 pm, adm $14 adults, $12 seniors (Thurs-Fri only), $2 ages 7-14, free ages 6 & under, show theme “America the Beautiful” will offer Advanced Standard Flower Show, 80+ hours of seminars & lectures (incl w/ show adm), floral & garden arts & crafts, free soil testing & more; 860-844-8461.

Feb 21: 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.

Feb 21: Mary Gilliatt at Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Rd, Southbury, 10 am-1 pm, presentation in French at 10, British tea reception at 11, second presentation (in English, w/ guest interior decorator Paula Smith) at 11, programs by author of Fabulous Food and Friends: Entertaining Princess Margaret, Spike Milligan and Other Friends hosted by Alliance Française of Western CT, reservations requested; 206-4384.

Feb 21: “Protecting & Caring For Fine Jewelry,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, 2 pm, free program by Joe Brandt (author Protecting Your Family Jewels: How to Protect Your Jewelry for Now, and for the Future, also owner J.L. Brandt Co., Inc) will offer basic facts about caring for, buying & selling jewelry, not an appraisal clinic; 796-8061.

Feb 21: “Who’s Barn Is It Anyway?” at Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield, doors open 7 pm, show at 8, $22 ($18 tax-deductible), improv comedy by The Role in the Hay Players, cabaret seating, BYO food & beverage, proceeds benefit building fund; 203-431-9850.

Feb 24: 52nd Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, St John’s Episcopal Church, 5 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, $8 adults, $4 ages 3-10, free ages 2 & under, traditional pancake meal w/ sides & beverages; 426-3112.

Danbury BNI Trailblazers, meetings at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Clap-board Ridge Rd, Danbury. Call 797-1122.

Group meets Wednesdays, 8-9:30 am, members network & help build businesses, all visitors welcome, contact Mark Vendetti at above phone # for details.

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

Special Events: Feb 14, “Women of the Night 2: Comedy For Valentine’s Day,” 8:30 pm,  $20-$25, VIP seating also available, performances by Corey Kahaney, Carie Karavas, Pat Candaras & Peaches Rodrigues (call 268-5857 for tickets).

(FILM) Feb 14-20: Bolt (PG), Sun-Fri 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat-Mon, Fri 1 & 4 pm, Tues-Thurs 1 pm.

Flagpole Camera Club, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 364-1441.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: Feb 19, program on photography basics by Frank Gardner, members competition subject is “Macros.”

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

Feb 21-22, screenings of Our Spirits Don’t Speak English: Indian Boarding School, 2 pm, $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children, screening of documentary about Native Americans who were taken away from parents as children & forced into gov’t run boarding schools; Feb 22, Artifact Identification Day, 1-4 pm, $5 adults, $4.50 seniors (regular museum adm), bring stone artifacts & Native American cultural items for ID by archaeologist & museum Director of Research & Collections Dr Lucianne Lavin, limit 12 items/person.

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: Feb 14, Bear Mountain, Danbury, medium hike, short (Molly Schleis, 914-945-2996); Feb 21, Monroe Bike Trail – snowshoe, cross country, easy hike (Rita Qubick, 268-4119).

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25: see Edmond Town Hall details.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: Feb 14, Al Lubel, w/ Bill Campbell & Tim Gage opening; Feb 21, Patrice O’Neal, w/ Peter Vouras & John Poveramo opening.

Theatre __________________________________

Feb 14: Cabaret performance of Love Letters, at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, noon, $10, Town Players will offer staged reading of A.R. Gurney’s work for Valentine’s Day, bring lunch, theater will have coffee & dessert available; 270-9144.

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

On Stage II: Bad Dates, Feb 18-March 22, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Wed & Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $32-$62 (student & senior discounts available); call for special program details.

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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.