Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through Feb 24: “2007 Emerging Artist Award Exhibition: Marti Cormand,” paintings & drawings that focus on tightly-rendered landscapes which explore the nature of representation in the digital age.

Through May 26: “Charlotte Schulz: An Insufficiency in Our Screens,” first solo museum exhibition by artist who participated in Aldrich’s 2003 Radius program features 2- & 3-dimension charcoal drawings that “invite the viewer to explore strange composite architectural spaces in which dreams blend w/ memory & reality.”

Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Wed-Sat 1-5 pm. Call 203-367-7917.

*(new show) Feb 1-29: “Black History Celebration,” photographs by Yves Francois Wilson & Deana Lawson, also slave artifacts collected by Craig Kelly; Feb 2, opening reception, 4-7 pm (live music by Renard Boissiere, 6 pm; food by Miss Thelma’s Soul Food Restaurant); Feb 3, screenings of James Brown – Soul Survivor & Jim Brown: All-American Hero, 3 pm.

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 1-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through Jan 29: “My Pleasure: Paintings by Bill Carney,” paintings by Mr Carney, both realistic & whimsical.

*(new show) Feb 1-29: “A Quartet of Photographers,” favorite images by award-winning photographers Art Anderson, Bob Berthier, Frank Gardner & Carol Gibson; Feb 7, slide lecture by Mr Berthier & Mr Gardner, starts 11:30 am, reception to follow.

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

*(new show) Feb 3-March 16: “PMC Decade,” traveling exhibition of 60+ pcs of artist-designed, handmade jewelry made of Precious Metal Clay by nearly 3 dozen of country’s most innovative metalsmiths, showcasing how PMC & its applications have evolved since its introduction 10 yrs ago; Feb 3, opening reception, 1-4 pm, also gallery curator’s talk at 3 pm.

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

*(new show) Jan 26-April 20: “Robotics,” exploration of the science behind the operation of robots in environment designed for fun, also presentation of fictional robots that inspire the imagination.

Through Feb 24: “A Taste For Chocolate,” the natural & artistic history of chocolate, which has been consumed worldwide as confection & beverage but also traded as currency, given yearly as token of enduring love, & inspires passion bordering on obsession & addiction.

Through March 22: “Navajo Textiles from the Bruce Museum,” 10 examples from Transitional period to Rug period, exploring important period in the history of Navajo artistic when technological advances & growth of commercial interest in Navajo craft replaced traditional methods of weaving.

Center for Contemporary Printmaking, Mathews Park, 299 West Ave, Norwalk. Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Call 203-899-7999.

Through March 15: “Not Printed on Paper,” prints on anything other than paper incl leather, steel, copper, plastic, plaster, wax, carpet & fabric, curated by master printer Anthony Kirk.

Fairfield Arts Council, 70 Sanford St, Fairfield. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm, Sat 1-4 pm. Call 203-319-1419.

Through Feb 28: “A Printer’s Eye: The Print Collection of James Reed,” approx 50 selections from the extensive print collection of artist, master printmaker & teacher James Reed; Feb 5, Brown Bag Lunch, 12:30-1:30 pm.

Through Feb 28: mixed media drawings by e.b. tierney. 

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Wed-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through Jan 27: works by abstract painter Susan Monserud & collage artist Erica Harris.

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Call 203-365-7650.

*(new show) Jan 27-Feb 28: “Women Of A Certain Age,” works by Dotty Attie, Louise Bourgeois, Ann Chernow, Nancy Spero & Selina Trieff, all depicting or referring to women or the female of a species; Jan 27, opening reception begins 1 pm, panel discussion at 3:30.

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 3: “A Christmas Journey Around Italy,” 17 Italian crèches, ranging from 2 ft wide to more than 13 ft wide by 11½ ft deep, from through Italy (incl Rome, Venice, Naples, Sicily & the Alps), from a region w/ reputation as creating finest Nativity scenes in Italy.

Through Feb 3: “The Swiss Guard: Celebrating 500 Years of Papal Service,” armor, weaponry, uniforms & documents of the world’s oldest security force.

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

Through Jan 21: “Festival of Lighthouses,” sixth annual presentation of 24 model lighthouses decorated for the holidays by local artists & amateurs, visitors invited to vote for Viewers’ Favorite.

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

Through March 23: “Cover Stories: Quilts and Bed Coverings from Regional Collections,” 30-plus quilts, bed coverings & other needlework, most never before displayed, chronicle the lives of Colonial era families, the development of textile production, sewing machine manufacturing & needle & button making, all circa 1770-1900; Jan 30, “Stories Behind The Quilts: The Region’s History Through Quilts & Textiles,” 2 pm, program by collections manager Suzie Fateh & curator Dr Cynthia Roznoy will explain how quilts tell the story of their creators.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Mon 12-7 pm, Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am-2 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through Feb 18: :The Patterson Legacy: Three Generations of Artists,” paintings by Howard Ashman Patterson, his son Robert Burns Patterson & his grandsons David Burns Patterson & Michael Remington Patterson.

Morrison Gallery, Kent Village Barns, 8 Old Barn Rd (near Rte 7 at Rte 341), Kent. Hours: Wed-Sat 10:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 860-927-4501.

Through March 16: exhibition featuring works by internationally acclaimed artists Chris Armstrong, Bascove, Alexander Liberman, Billy Martin, Robert Andrew Parker, Eric Sloane, Michael Steiner, Yuri Vaschenko & Peter Woytuk.

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, Sherman. Hours: Tues-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-354-2455.

*(new show) Jan 25-Feb 29: “Portraits of Home and Beyond,” oils on canvas in impressionist style by Sara Bowman; Feb 3, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Tues-Fri 11 am-5 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

Through Nov 9: “Pop To The Present: New Questions, New Responses,” paintings, sculpture, collage, prints, installations & photography from museum’s permanent collection of contemporary art, w/ more than 40 artists represented; Feb 7, Phoenix After Hours: First Thursdays at the Atheneum, 6 pm, monthly program will feature gallery talk w/ guest curator John Paoletti.

*(exhibition extended) Through Dec 30: “Faith & Fortune: Five Centuries of European Masterworks,” pairing of 60 of museum’s Old Master paintings following three-year national tour w/ sculpture & decorative arts from the museum’s permanent collections incl works of Fra Angelico, Caravaggio, Hals, Zurbaran, Canaletto, Boucher, Tiepelo, et al.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through Jan 28: “Young Talent 2008,” works by Rita DeAngelo (“shadow paintings”), Chelsea Harris (drawings), Siobhan McBride (paintings), Marc Mitchell (paintings), Katherine Norton (sculpture) & Mari Skarp (mixed media/sculpture).

*(new show) Feb 2-28: drawings 7 etchings by Colleen Kinsella, painted furniture & mural pcs by Joan Morosani & woodworking & paintings by Edith Read; Feb 2, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Westover School main dining room, 1237 Whittemore Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Hours: daily 8 am-5:30 pm (when school is in session). Call 203-758-2423.

Through Feb 7: “A Journey Towards Hope: A Pictorial History of Oberlin (Ohio), Abolition and the Underground Railroad,” photographs by Westover School alumna Coriana Close depicting homes that sheltered runaway slaves in their flight toward freedom during mid 1800s, all shot at night in order to place viewer in perspective of slave seeking shelter; Feb 7, Chapel Talk by Ms Close, call for start time.

Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours:  Mon-Thurs 10 am-4 pm, Sun 1-4. Call 762-7257.

Through Feb 3: “Toys and Trains at Wilton Heritage Museum,” presentation of multiple working train exhibits.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

Through Jan 30: “Mostly Children: Portraits in Oil,” works by the painter Ariane Beigneux.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-567-3163.

*(new show) Jan 26-April 19: “Portals,” drawings by Mary Lou Alberetti based on studies & travels through Italy, Spain & Turkey, plus works by her husband Robert Alberetti in oil, collage, mixed media, watercolor & encaustic; Jan 26, opening reception, 1-3 pm.

Woodbury Antiques and Fine Art, 473 Main St South, Woodbury. Call 266-4753.

Through Feb 24: “New England: We shall be as a City upon a Hill,” historic New England landscape paintings incl works by Carolyn M. Bell, E.C.Coates, George Mitchell, J.W. Bell, et al.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Goodspeed Musicals, 6 Main St, East Haddam. Call 860-873-8664.

Jan 26-27: Local Equity auditions for 2008 season, 10 am-5 pm, by appt only, appointments may be made starting Jan 14, non-Equity actors will be seen as appts permit, seeking male & female actors ages 12-18 & adult, bring resume, photo & sheet music, be prepared to sing 1 uptempo song & 1 ballad, music must be legible & in proper key (no lead sheets), accompanist provided, call Company Management at above phone # for appt, details.

Fairfield Follies Foundation, auditions at Central High School, 1 Lincoln Blvd, Bridgeport. Call 203-331-4104.

Feb 4-6: Auditions for 9th annual Fairfield Follies, 5-9 pm each night, directors seeking singers, dancers & jazz musicians from greater Bridgeport region for annual show, to be performed at Klein Auditorium May 16-18, those auditioning should prepare song of choosing from favorite Broadway musical & bring sheet music or instrumental recording, dancers be ready to learn dance combo to be taught at auditions (bring tap shoes), call phone # above or send e-mail to FolliesNow@optonline.net.

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 3 (behind firehouse), Sherman. Call 860-354-3622.

Feb 11-12: Auditions for The Guys, director Susan Abrams seeks 1 female actor (age 40-50) & 1 male (age 45-55) for April production of Anne Nelson’s drama, leave messages for director at theater (phone # above).

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

Feb 4-5: Casting call for Ron Hutchinson’s Moonlight and Magnolias, 7-9 pm, director Sonnie Osborne seeking 3 men & 1 woman for fast-paced comedy (character breakdowns available at TheatreWorks.us), all roles available, professional & amateur actors welcome, auditions will be readings from script, stipends available for all performers, technicians & directors, rehearsals to begin late Feb (usu Mon-Thurs eves), performances to be weekends April 18-May 10 (incl matinee Sun, May 4).

Western CT chapter of CT State Music Teachers Assn, at WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury. Call 792-6985.

March 9: CSMTA chapter will sponsor 2nd Annual Ensemble Festival, open to vocal & instrumental student ensembles, 2 pianos to be available, teachers interested in having their students participate should call phone # above.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Jan 26: Monthly ballroom dance, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $15 (reservations suggested), dance lesson at 8, performance by four-time Bulgarian Latin Champions Plamen Danailov & Tina Gerova at 9:30, music provided by DJ, singles & couples welcome, snacks incl in adm; 203-374-7308.

Jan 27: “Postcards From Paris,” Danbury Symphony Orchestra at Western CT State University’s Ives Concert Hall (within White Hall), 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance will offer program of works by French composers incl Saint-Saëns’ “Bacchanale” from Samson and Delia, Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite, work for string orchestra by Pierne, also guest violinist Nicole Kilroy (senior at Poughkeepsie Day School, winner 6th Annual DSO Student Concerto Competition) will perform Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto; 748-1716.

Jan 27: “Doug Hartline & Friends: A Benefit Concert,” Long Ridge United Methodist Church, 193 Long Ridge Rd, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance by guitarist & composer Doug Hartline, w/ keyboardist Nick Bariluk & bassist George Skidd, will incl uniquely arranged traditional music & church hymns played in jazz, folk & country styles, reception to follow, goodwill collection will benefit Friends of Furcy for humanitarian relief efforts in Haiti; 744-2337.

Jan 27: Connecticut’s Own Concert Series: Dan Krieger, Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 4 pm, free performance of classical music will feature pianist Krieger offering compositions from variety of eras & composers incl Bach, Chopin & Shostakovich, reservations strongly suggested (pre-registrants must arrive by 3:50 or risk losing seats); 203-762-3950.

Jan 29: “Love & Knishes: Accordion Antics,” Walzer Family Jewish Community campus, 444 Main St North, Southbury, noon, suggested donation $8 adults, $5.50 ages 60 & under, lunch to be followed by performance by former USO performer Betty Biolo on accordion, taking requests & offering sing-alongs, reservations requested by Jan 25; 267-3177 x105.

Feb 2: NUMC Coffee House, 7:45–10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Road, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate Misc listing), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-9998.

Feb 2: FairWestSwing Swing Lessons & Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, doors open 7 pm, introductory swing lesson at 7:30, supplemental swing dance lesson 8:30, dancing 9:30-midnight, adm $15 (incl 1 dance lesson), $20 (for both lessons), $5 student discount, very beginner friendly event, no partner required, music by swing DJ, air conditioned & dehumidified hall, dances held 1st & 3rd Sat each month; 203-522-5341.   

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 students in grades K-12 w/ ticket-holding adult, reception follows performances: Feb 10, Daedalus String Quartet, program to incl Haydn’s The Quinten Quartet, Leos Janacek’s “Intimate Letters” Quartet & Brahms’s String Quartet in A minor, Opus 51 No. 2.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Jan 26, Jorma Kaukonen, $47.50; Jan 27, Richard Thompson’s 1,000 Years of Popular Music, $45; Feb 2, Michelle Shocked, $45; Feb 8, Leon Russell, $47.50.

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-438-3889.

Concerts at Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Rd/Rte 116, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $25-$50: Feb 2, “Innovative Innocence,” Jose-Luis Novo will conduct program of Ravel’s Mother Goose & Mahler’s Symphony No 4 in G Major, guest soprano Audrey Luna.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-574-4283.

Concerts at Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 3 pm (pre-concert lecture 2:15, also post-performance lecture w/ Music Director Leif Bjaland & Concertmaster Alyce Cognetta Bertz), tickets $15-$40: Jan 27, performance of Brahms’s Piano Concerto No 2 w/ guest pianist William Wolfram, also Dvorak’s Symphony No 8 in G Major.

Films _________________

Jan 25: Screening of The Collector, Mark Twain Library, Rte 53 at Round Hill Rd, Redding, 7:30 pm, free program hosted by sculptor, woodcut artist & educator James Grashow will feature documentary about famed NYC gallery owner Allan Stone, following his 46-year career; 203-938-2545.

Jan 26-27: The Nations of the Northeast, The Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, 2 pm, $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children, screenings will launch 6-part film festival featuring TBS series The Native Americans; 860-868-0518.

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

Independent Film Festival, free, screenings 7:30 pm: Jan 30, Viva Cuba.

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm & most Monday holidays (call ahead). Call 203-372-3521.

Planetarium shows: One Small Step and Larry – Cat in Space, call museum for screenings schedule.

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

Jan 27-31: Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead (R), daily 7 pm, ,at Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Through Feb 17: The Alps, Mon-Fri 11 am, 1 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, 1, 3 & 4 pm; The Polar Express, call for show times; Tropical Rainforest, daily 12 & 2 pm.

Through Feb 17: Beowulf (PG-13), Thurs 8 pm, Fri 7:15 & 9:30 pm, Sat 5, 7:15 & 9:30 pm & Sun 5 & 7:15 pm.

Western CT State University in Student Center, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury. Call 837-8486.

12th Annual African Film Festival, screenings Wed at noon (unless noted) & Fri 7 pm, free & open to public: Feb 6 & 8, Forgiveness (2005, in English & Afrikaans w/ English subtitles).

For Kids & Families _________

Jan 27: Family Day at Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St, New Haven, 1-4 pm, free adm & special events for families to incl art, story telling, tours suitable for ages 4-10, light refreshments, spring calendar of events will be available; 203-432-0600.

Feb 3: Magician-Illusionist Stephen Christopher, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, performances 1 & 3 pm, tickets $5, performances by Mr Christopher sponsored by Newtown Junior Women’s Club; 270-6569.

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 2, Valentine Craft, 1 pm, $3 material fee due at registration (in person; no phone registrations), ages 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for one-hour workshop.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Feb 5, Creative Chocolates for Valentine’s Day, 3-5 pm (snow date Feb 12), $6 supply fee, readers in grades 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for workshop.

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

The Native Americans Film Festival, included w/ museum adm ($5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children): Jan 26-27, screenings of TBS series will begin w/ The Nations of the Northeast, 2 pm, through the eyes & words of Mohawk, Seneca, Penobscot, Oneida & Wampanoag.

Norwalk Youth Symphony, Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave, Norwalk. Call 203-866-4100.

Feb 10, NYS Winter Concert, 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students & seniors, performances by Prelude, Philharmonia, Concert & Principal orchestras will incl well-known works such as “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson (celebrating the composer’s 100th birthday), Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite, Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Felix Mendelssohn, and three movements from Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique.

 

Miscellaneous ___________

Jan 25: Poetry reading by Jennifer Rose, Westover School, 1237 Whittemore Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury, 7:30 pm, free readings by the author of The Old Direction of Heaven & Hometown for an Hour; 203-758-2423.

Jan 26: “Sewing Workshop: Help preserve the museum’s textiles collection,” Naugatuck Historical Society Museum, 195 Water St, Naugatuck, sugg donation $2 (free for museum members), light refreshments; 203-729-9039.

Jan 26: Saturday Morning Bird Walk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 9 am, free relaxing walk in search of local birds, all levels of birders welcome, meet in lobby; 734-2513.

Jan 26: Gunn Writers’ Series – Robert Vare, Gunn Memorial Library, Wykeham Rd at Rte 47, Washington Green, 6:30 pm, reception for Litchfield resident & Atlantic Monthly editor-at-large will be followed by discussion of The American Idea: best of the Atlantic Monthly; 150 Years of Writers and Thinkers Who Shaped our History, which Mr Vare compiled, edited & wrote intro for; 860-868-7586.

Jan 27: Open House at Chase Collegiate School, 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 1-3 pm, families invited to tour campus, learn about curriculum, programs & application process, info session planned for those entering grades 1-12, also opportunities to meet current faculty, students & parents; 203-236-9560.

Jan 30: “Live, Learn, Laugh and Love: Tantrums & Massage Therapy,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, 10:30 am-noon, free program (registration requested) for moms w/ tots (children welcome at program) by counselor & educator Rebecca Blonski (Families Network of Western CT) will cover handling tantrums, also presentation by massage therapist Chris Ladd (Physicians Health & Injury Centers) will discuss benefits of massage to reduce stress, series continues (diff topic, final program) Feb 6; 797-4528 (registration; call 797-4505 if inclement weather).

Jan 31: Visiting Author Series: Leslie Garis, Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 7-8:30 pm, free presentation by author of House of Happy Endings, book signings to follow (copies available for purchase during program), reservations suggested; 203-762-3950.

Feb 2: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 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.

Feb 2: Connecticut ConTacts Singles Dance, Colonial Tavern, 24 Hawley Rd, Oxford, 8 pm-12:30 am, adm $20 incl dinner buffet & dessert, dancing (DJ selections of Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), “dress to impress” (no bluejeans); 203-468-1144.

Feb 3: “Connecticut and The Constitution,” Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Ridgefield, 2 pm, presentation by longtime CT State Historian, UConn professor emeritus & author will cover why CT is called “The Constitution State,” the role of CT in the Constitutional Convention & the issues that gave rise to a state & federal constitution, Q&A to follow, reservations suggested, first in 4-partlecture series co-sponsored by library & Wilton Historical Society; 203-762-3950.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Programs free unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: Jan 27, Adult Nature Walk: Winter Botany and More, 1-3 pm, $5 ($3 for members), join naturalist Jim Dennan for walk in fields & meadows to look for clues to ID the remains of summer’s floral, see animal tracks in snow, ducks on river & birds at feeders; Jan 27, Sunday Afternoon at The Bent, 1-4 pm, explore center’s trails on your own, then enjoy hot chocolate or tea in center’s barn, where naturalist Jim Drennan will be on hand to answer questions about Bent & its wildlife (after 3 pm); Jan 30, Wednesday Morning Nature Walk, 9:30 am, $5 ($3 members), join education program manager Chris Cohen for leisurely one-hour discovery tour through fields & forest in search “whatever nature has to offer – waterfowl in water, raptors overhead, or coyotes & foxes on the hunt,” meet at Welcome Kiosk.

Danbury BNI Trailblazers, meetings at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Clapboard 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.

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

Free programs unless noted, no registration needed (unless noted): Jan 30, “Live, Learn, Laugh and Love: Tantrums & Massage Therapy,” 10:30 am-noon, free program (registration requested) for moms w/ tots (children welcome at program) by counselor & educator Rebecca Blonski (Families Network of Western CT) will cover handling tantrums, also presentation by massage therapist Chris Ladd (Physicians Health & Injury Centers) will discuss benefits of massage to reduce stress, series continues (diff topic, final program) Feb 6 (call 797-4528 to register, call 797-4505 if inclement weather); Feb 6, “Live, Learn, Laugh and Love: Self-Praise & Respect,” 10:30 am-noon, free program (registration requested) for moms w/ tots (children welcome at program) by counselor & educator Rebecca Blonski (Families Network of Western CT) will cover developing self-praise in children, also teaching & modeling respect, plus activity to make old-fashioned valentines w/ artist Katie Stevenson (call 797-4528 to register, 797-4505 if inclement weather).

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

Jan 27, Spirituality & Drum Circle, 2 pm, new group will meet 4th Sunday/month, focus of each gathering will be listening silence, sacred drumming & rattling.

The Native Americans Film Festival, included w/ museum adm ($5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children): Jan 26-27, screenings of TBS series will begin w/ The Nations of the Northeast, 2 pm, through the eyes & words of Mohawk, Seneca, Penobscot, Oneida & Wampanoag.

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), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Jan 26, Bear Mountain Reservoir Trail, Danbury (Molly Schleiss, 914-766-4546); Feb 2, Bee Brook, Washington  (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); Feb 9, Huntington State Park (Len Patti, 426-3632).

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, 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 to March 12 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required (reservations line now open).

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6654.

Through Jan 27: Color in January 288, at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, 10 am-4 pm daily, show & sale of works by SCAN members incl paintings & drawings, opening reception; Jan 26 Vince Giarrano (oil still life), Jan 27 Beverly Branch (acrylic portrait); show chairman is Sandra Scott (203-445-8975).

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), 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 $24/year.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: Jan 26, opening acts TBA, headliner Pete Michaels.

Theatre ______________

Jan 25-26: You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown: The Musical, at Edmond Town Hall theatre, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, curtain Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 2 & 7:30 pm, tickets $18 adults, $13 students & seniors, performance by members of Sabrina’s Encore Productions, LLC will feature primarily Newtown young adult actors; 304-1236.

Jan 27: From Page to Stage: The Case of the Curious Condiment, Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport, 7 pm, $10 sugg donation, new series of play readings (or works in progress) & post-reading discussions w/ playwright & director will begin w/ Agatha Christie murder-mystery parody written by Jack Rushen; 203-333-3666.

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

Let Me Down Easy, through Feb 3, curtain Tues-Wed & Sun 7 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $31.25-$61.25.

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

Rabbit Hole, Feb 1-16, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (note: Twilight Matinee 4 pm on Feb 16, no 2 pm show), tickets $18 adults, $17 students & seniors.

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

Tea At Five, Jan 25-Feb 16, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Feb 10 only) 2 pm, tickets $20; Jan 31, Pay-What-You-Want Night, curtain 8 pm, name your ticket price.

 

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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.