Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (through mid-Dec): 39th Season Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, 787 Main St South (Rte 6, near Rte 64), Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150+ vendors each week; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1; 508-896-1975.

Jan 5-6: 53rd Papermania Plus, Hartford Civic Center, Asylum St, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $7, 160 exhibitors, free appraisals (Sun 11-2); 860-563-9975.

Jan 27: 42nd annual Tolland Antiques Show, Tolland High School, Old Cathole Rd, Tolland, 10 am-4 pm (early buying 8:30 am, adm $15), regular donation/adm $5, 65 exhibitors, presented by & benefit for Tolland Historical Society; 860-870-9599.

 

 

 

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..

Barn Hill Studio & Gallery, Rte 110, Monroe. Hours: Fri-Sat 12-6. Call 268-4225.

Through Jan 5: “Through The Generations,” celebration of artistic family lineages – works by Julia Provey of Newtown plus her mother Lucy Sikes & grandfather Ben Durand, also works by Linda Dohanos of Monroe, her mother Florence Dohanos & her grandfather Stevan Dohanos.

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) — *(new show) Jan 8-29: “My Pleasure: Paintings by Bill Carney,” paintings by Mr Carney, both realistic & whimsical.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Hours: Tues-Wed 10 am-8 pm, Thurs 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm. Call 261-0134.

Through Jan 10: “Reverse Glass Paintings by Milton Bond & Sue Bond,” collection of rare art form by father & daughter who have done commissioned works & have had their pcs shown around the world in major museums & collections.

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

*(new show) Jan 4-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; Jan 4, opening reception, 6-8 pm; Feb 5, Brown Bag Lunch, 12:30-1:30 pm.

*(new show) Jan 4-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.

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

Through Jan 8: “Wild,” paintings by Ridgefield painter & Newtown ceramic artist Marcia Taylor, who recently realized their artistic paths & materials parallel & complement each other.

Through Jan 8: “Roosters!,” recent works by Simsbury painter Susan Prentice featuring full-figure & profile views of a wide diversity of barnyard royalty.

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (on the green), New Milford. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun & eves by appt. Call 860-354-3436.

Through Jan 13: “Small Treasures & More,” annual group exhibit offers 50+ works by Thomas Adkins, James Coe, Rick Daskam, Ralph Della-Volpe, Robert Ferrucci, Joseph Greico, Sonja Grineva, Woldemar Neufeld, Bill Rice, Dennis Stuart, et al.

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

*(new show) Jan 15-Dec 31: “Made For Trade: Realities of Economic Survival,” articles once made for personal use that eventually became valuable commodities to be sold or traded for manufactured goods.

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.

Ongoing: “Frogs!” new permanent exhibition brings visitors nose-to-nose w/ range of amazing amphibians. Also “Adventure Under the Sea,” special exhibit allows visitors to meet some of the real undersea animals like sponges, crabs & sea stars that inspired SpongeBob SquarePants characters & learn about their amazing adaptations incl yellow boring sea sponge, king crabs, brittle stars, et al.

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.

*(new show) Jan 12-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; Jan 12, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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.

*(new show) Jan 6-30: “Mostly Children: Portraits in Oil,” works by the painter Ariane Beigneux; Jan 6, opening reception, 11:30 am-1 pm.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Connecticut Master Chorale, rehearsals at South Britain Congregational Church parish hall, Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd, South Britain. Call 775-2602.

Jan 8: Rehearsals begin for new season, appointments for auditions being made now, openings in alto & bass sections, chorale has 2008 concerts planned for March 9 & May 17, both at St Rose of Lima in Newtown, director is Tina Johns, visit CMChorale.org for details or contact Ms Johns at phone # above for audition appt.

Kent Film Festival, PO Box 846, Kent CT 06757. Visit KentFilmFestival.org.

Jan 15: Deadline for entries for consideration for 3rd Annual Kent Film Festival, narrative, documentary, animated short or feature films accepted, festival to run March 27-30, entries must be in DVD format & labeled (3 copies of each entry needed; see website for label details) & accompanied by entry form, clearances must be done by filmmaker, all work original, non-refundable entry fee $25 for shorts, $35 features, student rates $18 & $28, no films returned, accepted filmmakers notified by end of Jan, visit website for full details.

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 5: 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.

Jan 12: Arlon Bennett at Roots Music Coffeehouse, 345 Main St (in Common Ground Annex dance studio, former CityCenter Dance Factory), Danbury, doors open 7:30 pm, open mic at 8, featured act at 9, suggested donation $10/adv, $12/door, performance by award-winning songsmith will highlight songs from latest CD (Summer’s End); 417-9607.

Jan 12: Musical Cabaret at Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $35 (tax-deductible & will benefit new additional building fund), musical cabaret will incl live music & song, raffles, games & prizes, refreshments available; 203-431-9850.

Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 268-8570.

Weekly Ballroom Dancing, Wed 7-11 pm, adm $15 (incl buffet), music provided by DJ, free dance lesson (7:15-7:45 pm), cash bar, door prizes, singles, couples & beginners all welcome.

 

 

 

Films _________________

Jan 5: Screening of My Kid Could Paint That, Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, noon, tickets $5, special screening of controversial documentary will incl discussion by director Amir Ben-Levi & Elizabeth Cohen, who wrote NY Times story that led to film being made, part of Western CT State University’s 3rd Annual Winter Literary Festival; 837-8876, 837-8486.

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.

Searching For Shakespeare, free screenings: Jan 15, The Merchant of Venice (2004), 7 pm.Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-2475.

Jan 4-10: Across The Universe (PG-13), Fri-Sat 7 & 9:25 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

 

 

For Kids & Families _________

Jan 15: “Adventure Time with Dora,” YMCA of Western CT Greenknoll branch, 2 Huckleberry Hilll Rd, Brookfield, 5:30-6:30 pm, $12 non-members ($10 YMCA members), registration required, participants will receive map, go through obstacles & solve puzzles to help Dora find something she lost, also visits w/ Dora; 775-4444.

Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4505 (Junior Dept, 797-4528).

Teen Movie Night series, for students in grades 6-12, 7 pm, free but adv reservations & permission slips required (call teen librarian, 797-4528): Jan 18, The Bourne Ultimatum.

 

 

Miscellaneous ___________

Jan 5: 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.

Jan 5: “Introduction to Ice Fishing,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 2-4 pm, free indoor workshop for all ages (those 16 & under will need to be accompanied by adult to attend) will be suitable for novice & experienced individuals w/ intro to tools, techniques & laws of ice fishing in CT, also winter safety for water & cold weather, outdoor demo weather permitting, registration required; 734-2513.

Jan 6: Reading of Aaliyah Miller’s Finding Patience, Western CT State Univ westside campus Campus Center, Univ Blvd, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free reading of Ms Millers play, which had is premiere reading for National Academy for TV Arts & Sciences in NY in Dec, will be final program of 3rd Annual WCSU Winter Literary Festival; 837-8876, 837-8486.

Jan 9: “Getting the Most from Your Digital Camera” at Genealogy Club of Newtown meeting, C.H. Booth Library meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, free & open to nonmembers, presentation by Cathy Vaneria (CT Photographics) will cover digital camera basics & how they can enhance genealogical research; 426-1840.

Jan 11: Comedy-Dinner at Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, doors open 6:30 pm, buffet dinner at 7, showtime 8:30, tickets $25 (incl dinner, dessert & coffee; cash bar available), performances by Rodney Laney & Chris Monty, reservations required; 470-7528.

Jan 12: Saturday Seminar Series, The Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury, 11 am-3 pm, $10 (incl lunch), presentations by George Dragon (Dragone Classics, Bridgeport, will cover restoration dos & don’ts, also display & discussion of some CT made vintage vehicles), Dennis David (author & International Automotive Assn member, on auto appraisals, car collector insurance, proper storage & agreed value) & Robert Manchester (museum board member, will cover history of museum & his relationship w/ museum founder Richard J. Guerrera); 203-577-2181.

Jan 12: Singles Dance Party at Anthony’s Lake Club, Vespucci Dr, Danbury, 8 pm-12:30 am, adm $20, dinner buffet (8-9:30 pm), coffee & dessert (11:30), dancing to DJ selections of Rtop 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests, guests urged to “dress to impress” (no bluejeans); 203-468-1144.

Jan 13: “Military Archaeology and Why The Revolutionary War is Important to 21st Century Americans,” Institute of American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, 6:30 pm, adm $5, lecture sponsored by Litchfield Hills Archaeology Club by Dr Laurie Weinstein (professor of anthropology & chairman of social sciences, Western CT State Univ) will detail her archaeological excavations at former Revolutionary War encampment in Redding, the lessons learned from the Redding encampment incl American democracy; 860-868-0518.

Jan 15: “Bats!” at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 7:30 pm, $4 donation requested, slide program by wildlife biologist Jenny Dickson (CT DEP/Wildlife Division) will cover current bat research in CT, ways to discourage bat roosting, bat houses, disease concerns & more; 734-2513.

Jan 16: “Salem Bridge Clocks” lecture, Naugatuck Historical Society Museum, 195 Water St, Naugatuck, $5 (free for historical society members), lecture by historian & Salem Bridge expert Mary Jane Dapkus will cover museum’s collection & other historic clocks, will follow general meeting; 203-729-9039.

Jan 19: New Year’s Psychic Fair, Fairfield County Agricultural Center, 69 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 11 am-4 pm, free adm, presented by Trinity Productions; 860-355-1511.

Jan 20: 2nd annual Designer Bridal Gown Sample Sale, Burr Homestead, 739 Old Post Rd, Fairfield, 10 am-4 pm, store sample bridal gowns from bridal salons across CT incl some by designers Monique Lhuillier, Anne Barge, Paloma Blanca, Melissa Sweet, Lazaro, Romona Keveza, et al, will be offered at 40-80% discount from full retail prices, 50% of sale’s proceeds will benefit Bridgeport Childcare Center Project; 203-259-9995.

Jan 23: “The Ecological Importance of Sea Turtle Conservation,” Western CT State University Science Building Room 219, Osborne St at Dr James Roach Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, free presentation by Dr Theodora Pinou (assistant professor, WCSU Dept of Biological & Environmental Sciences); 837-8793.

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: 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.

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

Free public programs: Jan 14, discussion of Christina Schwarz’s All Is Vanity, 7:30 pm; Jan 15, “Get Organized!” program, 7-8:30 pm, event by professional organizer Kerri Colombo will concern how to declutter & rediscover space.

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

Programs free unless noted: Jan 8, “Searching for Shakespeare: The Merchant of Venice lecture,” 7 pm, lecture by Dr George Geckle (professor emeritus, Univ of South Carolina & author of sev books on Shakespeare & other literary subjects) will continue ongoing “Searching for Shakespeare” series; Jan 14, Daytime Book Discussion, 1 pm, discussion of John Steinbeck’s Tortilla Flat, newcomers/drop-ins always welcome; Jan 15, “Putting Your Past on Paper: A Memoir Writing Workshop,” 3-4:30 pm, free workshop w/ Linda Chiara, registration requested;

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.

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

Jan 13, United Plant Saver slide show, 1 pm, $12 adults ($10 IAIS members), 90-min informative slide show by Lupo Connell will share “at risk” medicinal plants of North American, many of which were once commonly found throughout the area but now are less abundant due to various factors (CT educators may earn 0.15 CEUs); Jan 19, Winter Walk, 12:30-2:30 pm, $8 adults ($6 members), $4 children, join Jamie Leffler for walk & program to learn which animals live in the area & also how to start a fire in the show (CT educators can earn .2 CEUs);

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 5, #4 Lakes Trails, Oxford (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); Jan 12, White Memorial (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.

Jan 19-27: 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 19 2-4 pm, also demos each Sat-Sun at 12:30: Jan 19 Pat Barkman (watercolor landscape), Jan 20 Alain Picard (pastel landscape), Jan 26 Vince Giarrano (oil still life), Jan 27 Beverly Branch (acrylic portrait); show chairman is Sandra Scott (203-445-8975).

Programs 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Jan 9, demo on painting still life w/ oils by Bob Boger.

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 5, opening sets by Sharon Simon & Ray Pennetti, headliner Andres Fernandez; Jan 12, opening sets by Nanci Richards & Daren Dillion, headline performance by The Improvisational Comedy of Some Assembly Required (starring Scott Baker & Al Isaacs).

 

 

 

Theatre ______________

Jan 5: The Voices in My Head Have Formed a Choir and Somebody’s Singing Flat! At Western CT State Univ Berkshire Hall/Reimold Theatre, WCSU main campus, Osborne St, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free, special performance of Don Stitt’s one-man show(by the playwright) will continue WCSU’s 3rd Annual Winter Literary Festival; 837-8876, 837-8486.

Jan 6: Reading of Aaliyah Miller’s Finding Patience, Western CT State Univ westside campus Campus Center, Univ Blvd, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free reading of Ms Millers play, which had is premiere reading for National Academy for TV Arts & Sciences in NY in Dec, will be final program of 3rd Annual WCSU Winter Literary Festival; 837-8876, 837-8486.

Jan 12: Musical Cabaret at Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $35 (tax-deductible & will benefit new additional building fund), musical cabaret will incl live music & song, raffles, games & prizes, refreshments available; 203-431-9850.

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

Let Me Down Easy, Jan 9-Feb 3, curtain Tues-Wed & Sun 7 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $31.25-$61.25.