Antiques Shows______

March 19-21: 37th Annual Darien Antiques Show, First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Rd, Darien, Fri 7-9 pm (preview party, adm $40), Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11:30 am-5 pm, show adm $8, 30+ dealers.

March 19-20: 42nd Annual Manchester Antiques Show, Second Congregational Church, 385 North Main St, Manchester, Fri 11 am-8 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, adm $4, lunch & dinner available, Tea Room; 860-649-7770.

March 20-21: 37th Annual Wilton Historical Society Antiques Show, Wilton High School Field House, Rte 7, Wilton, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $10, 95 dealers, proceeds benefit Wilton Heritage Museum; 203-762-7257.

March 20-21: Ephemera 24 – International Show & Conference, Hyatt Regency Greenwich grand ballroom, 1800 East Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $10, 85 exhibitors, appraisals (Sun 12-3, $5/item); 631-261-4590.

March 21: Opening day Elephant’s Trunk Bazaar, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm, adm $1 (early buying 5:45-7 am, adm $20), 300 dealers, outdoor flea market runs every Sun (closed Easter) to Dec 19; 860-355-1448.

March 21: Northwestern CT Antiques & Collectibles Show, Northwestern Regional High School, Central Avenue Extension (off Rte 44), Winsted, 9:30 am-4 pm (early buying 8:30, adm $10), show adm $4.50; 860-673-7070, 860-480-3339.

March 21: Weston Indoor Antiques Market, Weston High School, School Rd, Weston, 10 am-4:30 pm (early buying 9 am, adm $10), show adm $6, 50+ dealers, benefit for Weston High School Junior Class; 203-222-2259.

March 27: 12th Annual Country Antiques in CT’s Quiet Corner, Ellis Technical School, 613 Upper Middle St, Danielson, 10 am-3 pm (early buying 9 am, $10), adm $5, dealers from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI & VT, gourmet lunch & dessert available; 860-774-8511.

March 27-28: 30th Edition Cheshire Academy Antiques Show, Cheshire Academy, Rte 10 at Rte 68, Cheshire, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 10:30 am-4 pm, adm $6; 860-342-2540.

March 27-28: 28th Annual Nutmeg Depression Glass Club Depression Glass Show & Sale, Southington High School, 720 Pleasant St, Southington, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $4.50, free glass ID; 860-628-5389, 860-559-6313.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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.

*(new show) March 22-May 3, “Inside Out: The Paintings of Helene Brier,” March 27, opening reception, 4-6 pm (artist’s talk at 5).

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 March 20, “Tickle My Fancy,” nude self-portraits & “other curiosities” by member & guest artists.

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.

Through April 16, “Journal Pages,” work by members of The Scrapbag Quilters.

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

Through March 28, “Living With Fine Craft: The Heart of The Home,” multi-media national invitational juried exhibition of fine handmade functional craft work (ceramics, fiberwork, glassware, metalwork & woodwork) for the home focuses on items that can be used for fine cooking, serving & elegant dining.

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 March 31, “Victorian Postcards,” hundreds of postcards from turn of the center from society’s permanent collection.

Fine Line Art Gallery, 586 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-266-0110.

Through March 30, “Earth, Wind & Fire,” monotypes & mixed media collages by Tracey O’Connell Sperry; March 6, opening reception, 1-5 pm.

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.

Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury. Hours: (Nov 1-March 31) Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 790-9277.

“Unterseeboot,” exhibit detailing the history of submarine warfare during WWII incl formation of the German Submarine Art and the April 5, 1942 attack on Cape Hatteras.

Permanent life-size interior dioramas w/ major military vehicles, extensive outdoor displays, also “Names on the Wall” computer program to help locate names on Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

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

Through March 30, “Nature: Its Power and Poetry,” ceramics by Robin Johnson that rely on contrasting textures & eccentric shapes to capture the strength & timelessness of the natural world coupled w/ watercolor landscapes & seascapes of Italy & Connecticut by Marija Pavlovich McCarthy.

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

Through March 21, “Camera Works,” works by RGA members in film, digital, image/emulsion transfers, giclée prints, etc.

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

Through March 21, “A World Of Stage: Russian Costume & Stage Design from the George Riabov Collection of Russian Art,” works of pre-Bolshevik revolution Russian theater & items by Russian émigré artists who designed sets & costumes in the West.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through March 28, “Recent Work,” still lifes by Christine Hartman, still lifes & landscapes by Tina Re, landscapes by Tom Yost.

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 March 26, “Seeing,” prints & monotypes by Jane Cukor.

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.

Bushnell Center for Performing Arts Promenade Gallery, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford CT 06106-1621. Call 860-987-5929.

March 31: CT visual artists sought for 2004-05 season, contact Susan Finnegan at above # for application form & addt’l info, artists need to submit application, 10 slides, résumé & SASE.

Musicals at Richter, Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury. Call 748-6873.

April 1: Alumni Night auditions, by appt only, for mainstage musicals (Hello Dolly! June 17-July 3; State Fair, July 8-24; & Annie, July 29-Aug 14) & Fairy Tale Theatre (adaptations of Velveteen Rabbit, Pied Piper of Hamlin, Jungle Book & Sleeping Beauty), show descriptions & cast breakdowns at www.MusicalsAtRichter.org.

April 2-4: Open adult auditions for above musicals, Fri 7-10 pm, Sat 2-8 pm, Sun 1-5 pm, bring photo & résumé, prepare 2 Broadway showtunes (1 uptempo, 1 ballad) that show range (bring sheet music in key & be prepared to sing only best 16 measures if necessary), be prepared to learn short dance combo & to read from script; ALSO specialty dancers sought for featured choreography in Dolly & Fair (esp those w/ gymnastics, ballet & jazz backgrounds); ALSO performer w/ stilt walking talents needed for State Fair.

April 3: Youth casting, 10 am-1 pm, for Annie (title role & other orphans), State Fair boys & girls for ensemble) & Fairy Tale Theater (all roles, no singing ability needed), 10 am-1 pm, prepare 1 each Broadway uptempo & ballad, be prepared to read from script.

Volunteers also needed (all shows) for backstage duties (set construction, costumes, crew, etc) & front-of-house (house mgt, ushering & concessions).

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 39 (behind firehouse), Sherman. Call 860-355-4394.

March 21-22, April 3-4: Auditions for A Chorus Line, director Lanny Mitchell seeks 8 men & 9 women of ethnic diversity, ages 17-30, who sing, dance & act, several “cut” dancers (singers & dancers only, no speaking lines) ages 17-30 also needed, also male actor for role of Zack (any age), singers & dancers must be prepared w/ song & sheet music & be ready to learn a dance combo – March 21 (dancers only), 3-7 pm; March 22 (singers & actors), 7-10 pm; April 3 (dancers only, at Let’s Dance Studios, 994 Federal Rd, Brookfield), 3-7 pm; April 4 (actors & singers), 3-7 pm.

                  

Concerts, Musical Events ____

March 19-20, 26-27: The Balancing Act: Laughing and Singing through Life, new cabaret show by Donna Moore at Boyajian Sculpture Barn, Rte 39 at Milltown Rd, New Fairfield, performances 8 pm, tickets $20 (March 19-20 & 26) & $30 (incl post-show wine reception w/ Ms Moore, performance of 2-act 1-woman show will feature Ms Moore in evening of jazz songs, autobiographical monologue & comedy, accompanied on piano by arranger & conductor Arnie Gross, proceeds to benefit Candlewood Arts Fund Scholarship; 746-6101.

March 20: Irish Step Dancers of Newtown at The Village at Brookfield Common, 246-A Federal Rd, Brookfield, 2:30 pm, free performance by local dancers open to the public free of charge; 775-8696.

March 20: 30th Annual String Orchestra Music Festival concert, Bethel Middle School, 600 Whittlesey Dr, Bethel, 3 pm, tickets $5 adults, free ages 14 & under, performance by 200+ area middle & junior high school students recommended by teachers & accepted through audition incl Newtown & Sandy Hook students; 790-2808.

March 21: “From Russia with Love,” Danbury Symphony Orchestra concert at Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free adm, program will offer 3 masterpieces by Russian composers: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony #6 (“The Pathetique”), Shostokovich’s Festive Overture & Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody for Piano & Orchestra (w/ guest pianist Miko Kominami); 748-1716.

March 21: Borealis Wind Quartet at First Congregational Church, 6 Kirby Rd (at Rte 47, on the green), Washington Green, 4 pm, suggested donation $10-$15, performance by flutist Katherine Fink, oboist Tamar Beach Wells, clarinetist Kathryn Taylor, Dan Culpepper on horn & Wayne Hileman on bassoon will incl works of J.S. Bach, Rossini, Amy Beach, Wm Matthias, Nino Rota, et al; 860-927-3879.

March 25: Keb’ Mo’ at The Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and the Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $60 & $70, headlining performance by Grammy winning blues singer & guitarist; 203-438-5795.

March 27: “A Cinderella Fantasy” by Ridgefield Opera Company, at Keeler Tavern Garden Room, 132 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, tickets $25, performance will feature singers from Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera & local celebrities performing selections from Cendrillon and La Cenerentola and the comedic romp “The True Story of Cinderella”; 203-438-5170.

March 28: CT Alumni Senior Drum & Bugle Corps concert & open house, Great Hill Methodist Church, 225 Great Hill Rd, Seymour, performance 1:30 pm, followed by opportunity to meet members of corps, new members always welcome, light refreshments; 203-729-5179, 203-732-2326.

March 28: The Valley Chordsmen at North Congregational Church, Main St/Rte 6 at Rte 47, Woodbury, 3 pm, adm $5, performance by 4-part harmony all-male chorus w/ wide repertoire, reception to follow concert; 203-263-2410.

Newtown Friends of Music, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $15, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: March 21, the pianist Melvin Chen, works of Alessandro Scarlatti (3 selected sonatas), W.A. Mozart (Fantasia in C minor, K.457), Higdon (Secret & Glass Gardens), Ravel (Valses nobles et sentimentales), Debussy (Estampes), Chopin (Three Nocturnes, Opus 9) & Gottschalk (“Union,” a medley of American folk tunes).

Films _________________

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

March 19-25: Barbarian Invasions (R), daily 6:45 & 9:10 pm, mat Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4 pm; The Company (PG-13), daily 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 pm; The Cooler (R), daily 9:25 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 4:15 pm; Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind (R), daily 7:20 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:30, 2&45 & 5 pm; The Passion of The Christ (R), daily 6:30 & 8:55 pm, mat Fri 3:45 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:45 pm.

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

March 28: Trois Couleurs: Bleu, 2 pm, in French w/ subtitles.

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

March 19-25: Girl With a Pearl Earring (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm

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

Through April 1: Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, Mon-Fri 11 am, 1 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, 1, 3 & 4 pm; Whales, daily 12 & 2 pm (also double feature w/ Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, Fri-Sun 7 pm).

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-2282.

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

Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South, Southbury. Call 262-0626.

Western CT State University/Student Center, 181 White St (midtown campus), Danbury. Call 837-8486.

Western CT State University/White Hall, 181 White St (midtown campus), Danbury. Call 837-8350.

For Kids & Families _________

March 20: The Three Feathers puppet show, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rtoe 302, Newtown, 10 am, free performance of Grimms fairy tale will be presented by school’s early childhood teachers, suitable for ages 4-6 & parents; 364-1113.

March 27: “A Window Into Waldorf: Educating Through The Arts,” at Newtown Middle School, Queen St, Newtown, 10 am-noon, exhibition of art & performance of songs, poetry, instrumental music & exercises from current studies by students in grades 1-7 of Housatonic Valley Waldorf School; 364-1113.

April 2: Kindergarten Friday at Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 1:30 pm, free (registration requested/space limited), kindergarteners (or children age 5) invited to special program of games, stories & craft or video, continues first Fri/month into May; 452-5459.

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

Free public programs: March 25, Elmo’s Birthday storytime, 11 am, ages 2-5 invited to celebrate Elmo’s birthday w/ stories, activities & giveaways *(not a character visit program).

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: March 20, Sing Along With Irv, 1 pm, ages 3-6 invited to join Irv Playstock for sing-along program; March 21, Model Passover Seder, 3 pm, ages 6 & up (incl interested adults) invited to join Rabbi Shaul Praver for program focusing on Seder aspects, food, the theme of Freedom, dancing, discussion & more; April 3, Pinocchio: the puppet show, 1 pm, ages 4-10 invited to presentation by Junior Girl Scout Troop 809 to also incl easy craft program, registration requested (repeats April 10 & 17).

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: March 24, Roby Holler book discussion, 4:30 pm, one-hour program on Sharon’s Creech’s book.

Devil’s Den Preserve, 33 Pent Rd, Weston. Call 226-4991.

All events free, no pets (even on leashes), reservations required: March 21, “Spring Signs Family Walk,” 1:30-3 pm, search for early signs of spring incl spring peepers & skunk cabbage.

Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe. Call 452-5458.

Reading Adventures, 7 pm, parent & child book discussion series for grades 3-4, newcomers welcome, titles follow: March 30, The Knights of The Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka.

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

4 & 5-Year Olds w/ parents, $8 unless noted: March 25, Snakes! 10:30-11:30 am, learn about CT snakes, hear stories & then meet some of farm’s resident snakes.

6-12-Year Olds, $8 unless noted: March 23, Slither, Swin & Hop, 4-5 pm, learn about reptiles & amphibians & what makes them unique.

Family Programs: March 21, Solstice Treasure Hunt, 2-3 pm, $10/family, start spring w/ woodland treasure hunt.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-345-4800 x150.

March 28, Peter and The Wolf by New England Ballet Company, tickets $12, performance w/ narration will also incl post-performance reception where all children invited to meet dancers, take photos, see costumes & scenery up close, & ask questions about dance & theater.

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): March 27, Where Is That Bear? by The Paper Bag Players, “back w/ their usual vignettes using everything but the kitchen sink.”

Miscellaneous ___________

March 19: Hint O’Spring Dance at The Homesteads, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, begins 2:30 pm, free, all invited to enjoy dancing or just listen to music of Ethel Kaufman & Band; 426-8118.

March 20: Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7 am-noon, breakfast presented by Lions Club and NHS Leo Club will raise funds to continue work on Al’s Trail.

March 20: Canine Search & Rescue Fundraiser, Dickinson Town Park, Elm Dr, Newtown, 11 am-2 pm, adm $5/person, $10/family, demos of rescue techniques by underwater divers & rescue dogs, proceeds to benefit CT Canine Search & Rescue (CCSAR) & Newtown Underwater Search & Rescue (NUSAR); 426-0738, 426-0253.

March 20: “Beautiful Baskets and Beautiful Things,” C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4-7 pm, tickets $5, silent auction of 12 theme baskets presented by Newtown Woman’s Club will also incl live music by Peter Obre, wine tastings, proceeds to benefit local social services and community organizations; 426-5283, 426-5321, 426-2226.

March 20: Woodbury Junior Women’s Club Spring Fling Craft Fair, Nonnewaug High School, 5 Minortown Rd, Woodbury, 9:30 am-4 pm, free adm (donations will support projects of WJWC), 30+ crafters featured, also plant sale; 860-674-9902.

March 20: Café Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, public invited to join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for conversations in French, topics decided at beginning of program, BYO light refreshments, all levels of French speakers welcome; 203-263-4096, 262-0626.

March 20: Woodbury United Methodist Church Spaghetti Supper, in church’s fellowship hall, 3 Church St (at Main St South/Rte 6), Woodbury, 4:45-7 pm, adults $8, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, monthly spaghetti dinner (meatballs 50¢ extra) open to all, proceeds benefit church projects; 203-263-4775.

March 20: St Mary’s School beach Party Auction at The Stony Hill Inn, Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, viewing & silent auction begin 6 pm, live auction begins at 8, tickets $20 incl buffet dinner & dessert, proceeds benefit school; 748-3776.

March 21: PHD Psychic Fair, Danbury Maron (former Radisson), Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 11 am-6 pm, free adm, card & palm readers, pet psychic, vendors; 470-1806.

March 21: Spring Victorian Tea, St Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd (at Rte 111, opposite the green), Monroe, 1-4 pm, $15 incl tea, breads, sandwiches & desserts, also music, presented by Episcopal Church Women; 268-4265.

March 21: Annual Aldrich Poetry Competition Reading, Ridgefield Library’s Dayton Reading Room, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, $5 suggested donation, winners of 2003 Annual Aldrich Museum Poetry Competition – Mark Conway & Cameron K. Gearen – will be introduced by former US Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, reception follows; 203-438-4519.

March 23: “Love & Knishes: Gershwin and All That Jazz,” Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus, 444 Main St North, Southbury, $5.50 suggested donation, lunch at noon, program at 1, guest pianist Roger Young will usher in spring w/ jazz favorites & special requests; 267-3177 x105.

March 25: “Women Artists: Past & Present,” The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 7-9 pm, $5, slide show about past artists by Janice LaMotta (Paesaggio Gallery owner & director), then short slide shows by contemporary artists Liz Dexheimer, Nancy Lasar, M.G. Martin & Betty Ramey; 203-753-0381 x10.

March 26: Housatonic Habitat for Humanity 2nd Annual “Dream Builder’s Gala,” Candlewood Inn, Candlewood Lake Rd, Brookfield, 6:30-11 pm, tickets $125, black tie optional affair will feature full dinner, dancing to J&B 2000 Band, open bar & silent auction, all proceeds will support HH’s mission to eliminate substandard housing from Danbury area; 744-1340.

March 27: “A Window Into Waldorf: Educating Through The Arts,” at Newtown Middle School, Queen St, Newtown, 11 am, exhibition of art & performance of songs, poetry, instrumental music & exercises from current studies by students in grades 1-7 of Housatonic Valley Waldorf School; 364-1113.

March 27: Paperback & Children’s Book Sale, Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 9 am-5 pm, 5,000+ titles available; 203-438-8093.

March 27: 19th Annual Breath of Spring Craft Show, New Fairfield High School, Gillotti Rd, New Fairfield, 10 am-4 pm, 80 artisans featured, homemade baked goods, photos w/ Easter Bunny, refreshments; 746-2823.

March 27: Author & editor Marion Skedgell at Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury, 2 pm, editor of 100+ books & author will discuss her career in the world of publishing incl her latest release, Double Exposure; 860-350-2181.

March 27: “Bid Adieu To Winter” Benefit Evening, The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 6:30-11:30 pm, tickets $25, gourmet cuisine, cash bar, silent & live auction (live auction conducted by Wayne Mattox), proceeds benefit Mitchell Elementary School (Woodbury); 203-263-4498.

March 27: “Wine, Music & Good Times,” Temple B’nai Israel, 444 Main St North, Southbury, 7-9 pm, tickets $15 (2 for $25), wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres, desserts & coffee, music, free raffle, silent auction w/ tickets for Dangerfield’s Comedy Club, air & plane museums, movie tickets, NFL games, sports memorabilia & more; 267-3394.

March 27: Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight (dance lessons at 8, performance by Gherman Mustuc & Iveta Lukosiute, recent 10-dance winners in Washington’s Yuletide Ball), $15, singles & couples welcome, complimentary snacks; 203-374-7308.

March 27: 19th Anniversary Bash: CT Contact Singles Dance, Colonial Tavern, Rte 67, Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, $15, dancing to DJ selections, dinner & dessert buffets, jackets/dressy attire (no jeans); 203-468-1144.

March 27-28: A Spring Shower of Quilts X: CT Piecemakers’ Quilt Guild Annual Show, Seymour Middle School, 211 Mountain Rd, Seymour, 10 am-5 pm both days, adm $6 adults, $1 ages 3-12, hundreds of “extraordinary quilts created by ordinary people,” vendor area, free demos & lectures, quilt raffle, more; 261-2969.

March 28: 6th Annual Antiques Appraisals Day, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 2-5 pm, verbal appraisals $5/item *(limit 3 items per visit), appraisals by Jack DeStories, Tucker Frey, Wayne Mattox & Steve Stieglitz, bring items if at all poss, photos accepted for vy large items), proceeds benefit Newtown Historical Scty; 426-5937.

Active Singles. Call 860-489-9611 or visit www.ActiveSingles.org.

Hikes for singles (ages 30s-50s) 1st & 3rd Sun/month, 9:30 am (early arrival requested), free, no dogs or children allowed, 4 skill levels available, bring/wear hiking boots & bring water: March 21, Macedonia Brook State Park, Kent.

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: March 21, Mating Dance of American Woodcock, 6 pm, sugg donation $5, participants will have opportunity to witness courtship dance of American Woodcock, meet at welcome kiosk & dress for outdoors; March 28, Mating Dance of American Woodcock, 6 pm, sugg donation $5, participants will have opportunity to witness courtship dance of American Woodcock, meet at welcome kiosk & dress for outdoors.

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

Free public programs: March 30, program w/ author Roxana Robinson, 7 pm, local author will discuss her latest release (Sweetwater).

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

Programs free unless noted: March 23, Author Program: Stephen Rawley, 7:30 pm, Newtown resident will discuss his recent release on long-term health care insurance; March 24, Intrepid Travelers: Central Africa, 7:30 pm, Dr Milton & Wendy Clark will return w/ a new travel program; March 27, Computer Class for Intermediate-Level Users, 9 am-noon, $10, registration required; March 30, Author Program: Phil Steele, 7 pm, son of humorist & broadcasting legend Bob Steele will discuss his father’s career & his book The Word Of The Day: Sixty-Five Years of Wit, Wisdom and Mispronunciation; March 31, blood pressure screenings, 10 am-noon, no appt necessary, conducted by registered nurse, related info also available; April 1, “Can Great Literature Be Funny?” program, 7:30 pm, discussion of Shakespeare’s As You Like It concludes discussion series co-hosted by Liz Arneth & Gordon Williams, newcomers welcome.

Devil’s Den Preserve, 33 Pent Rd, Weston. Call 226-4991.

All events free, no pets (even on leashes), reservations required: March 21, “Spring Signs Family Walk,” 1:30-3 pm, search for early signs of spring incl spring peepers & skunk cabbage; March 28, “Saugatuck Valley Trails Day Hike,” 10 am-1 pm, join Steve White for 3-5-mile hike, pack lunch & plenty of water.

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

Misc programs: March 20-21, Maple Syrup Demonstrations, 1-4 pm, free programs offer ongoing history, science & humor of maple syrup production.

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

March 20, Annual Maple Sugaring Festival, 11 am-4 pm, $6 adults, $4 ages 4-16, demos will show how Native Americans made maple syrup & sugar hundreds of years ago, children’s activities, servings (11-1 only) of pancakes & syrup; March 21, Spring Equinox Drum workshop, 1-4 pm, $125, join E. Barrie Kavasch to create a 15” single-face drum; March 27, Tracking in The Woods, 1- am-noon, $15, all ages welcome to learn how to identify & track animals, also learn basic survival skills useful for winter months.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Call 426-1533.

Maple Syrup Days, through March 30, daily 10 am-5 pm weather permitting, $5, tractor rides, maple syrup tastings & sugar house tours, reservations requested for groups.

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: March 20, Todds Point, Greenwich (Jack Donlon, 203-966-8421); March 27, Orenaque Park, Woodbury (Ildiko Gramling, 203-263-0086), short hike will be followed by end-of-season potluck lunch, call for food coordination.

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, call for details.

Shepaug Eagle Observation Area, Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station, River Rd, Southbury. Call (Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm) 800-368-8954.

Observation area open Jan-mid March only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations required.

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

Meetings 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: April 14, acrylic figure program by Beverly Branch.

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: March 24, pastel program by Leslie Levy; April 28, sculpture by James Grashow.

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.

Wednesday Night Poetry, Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 270-6202 (Michael Seri), 748-2828 (BAJ).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: March 24, Lisa Starr; March 31, Susan Kinsolving.

 

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: March 28, The Moor Lark, new drama by Shannon Dow & Jan Henson Dow concerns Bronte sisters & brother.

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

Metamorphoses, through March 28, 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.

We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! through April 4, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $38-$55.

New Zenith Theatre, at Naugatuck Valley Community College MainStage Theatre, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury. Call 203-575-8193.

The Secret Garden, April 1-4, curtain Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students.

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

The Vagina Monologues, through April 3, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & students, doors open one hour before performance; play has adult themes & language.

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

The Matchmaker, March 25-April 25, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50.

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

Fuddy Meers, through March 20, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15.

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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 concerning photo files to be emailed.