Antiques Shows______

Nov 14-15: 3rd Annual Wethersfield Antiques Show, Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St, Wethersfield, Fri 7-9:30 pm (early buying preview party, adm $25), Sat 10 am-5 pm, adm $5, 45 dealers, special Nutting lecture 2 pm, sponsored by Wethersfield Hist Society; 860-529-7656.

Nov 15-16: Wilton Historical Society Celebrates American Craftsmanship, Wilton High School Field House, Rte 7, Wilton, Sat (early buying 8-10 am, $20), regular show hours 10 am-5 pm, adm $9; 203-762-7257.

Nov 15-16: 42nd Annual Giant Valley Antiques Show, Muller Library-Cultural Center, 2901 Dixwell Ave, Hamden, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $3.50, benefit for Hamden Historical Scty.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Beaux Arts Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: M-F 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-263-3939.

*(new show) Nov 15-Jan 15, “Annual Small Works Show,” juried exhibition of new & exciting artists from across country incl contemporary & traditional art from established artists w/ watercolors, pastels & other paintings, collages, photos & original prints, all works available for purchase & can be taken home the day of purchase.

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 Nov 15, “Tree-O,” works by Phyllis Boger, Kevin Conklin & Paula Renee.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Fri 12-5 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In library’s lower meeting room: Through Nov 30, fabric collage pcs & watercolor paintings by Eleanor Loecher.

On library’s main floor: Through Nov 23, miniatures & porcelains from the collection of Jean Mann; Nov 16, artist’s talk, 2 pm, free.

Also on main floor: Through Dec 2, 13 welded steel sculptures by local sculptor Jim Travers.

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

Through Nov 23, “Felicity Sidwell: Paintings,” watercolors & new oils by the Newtown resident; Nov 1, opening reception, 1-5 pm.

Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-266-4663.

Through Dec 1, “Postures of Yoga,” new collection of 30± paintings (oils & gouache on paper) by the French artist Frederic Monnet exploring the physical discipline & spiritually of yoga.

Gregory James Gallery, Bank Street Plaza, 27 Main St, New Milford. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm. *note: this is gallery’s new location & hours.  Call 860-354-3436.

*(new show) Nov 15-Jan 17, “3rd Annual Small Treasures & More,” group holiday exhibition w/ 50+ works by regular & new gallery artists incl Deborah Chabrian, Mel Crawford, Joseph Grieco, Christopher Magadini, Edward Martinez, Robert Myers, Alain Picard, Edgar Reims, Bill Rice, Anda Styler & John Swatsley; Nov 15, opening reception, 5-7 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.

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

Through Dec 31, “Clothing & Textiles: A Celebration of The Ingenuity and Creativity of The Indigenous Peoples of North America,” clothing & textiles showing various techniques used by Native Americans across the continent incl woven wearing blankets, plains-style dresses, beaded & woven moccasins, & beaded & quill worked accessories.

Through Dec 31, “Progression Of Indigenous People’s Weaponry: Technology and Mythology,” bows, arrows, coup sticks & clubs (condensed version of exhibition previously on view).

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Hours: daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-852-0700.

*(new show) Nov 22-Jan 20, “2nd Annual Holiday Lighthouse Contest,” beautiful, illuminated lighthouse models built & decorated by regional artists & crafters.

New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Hours: Tues, Thurs-Fri & Sun 12-5 pm, Wed 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm. Museum Highlights Tour offered each Sun at 2 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

Through Dec 7, approx 55 paintings on loan from Terra Museum of American Art (Chicago) incl works by Cassatt, Chase, Church, Copley, Eakins, Hassam, Homer, Hopper, Phillips, Sargent, et al.

Potter & Slack Fine Art, Rte 202, Marbledale. Hours: Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-868-3245.

Through Nov 16, “From Ship To Shore,” paintings, pastels & watercolors by 4 generations of artists who celebrate the delights of the water’s edge & the seagoing life incl works of Reynolds Beal, Frederick Judd Waugh, Curtis Hanson, George Van hook, et al.

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

*(new show) Nov 8-Dec 14, “RGA’s Annual Holiday Market of Ridgefield Guild of Artists,” show & sale of work by new & returning artists & artisans offers smaller, affordable, unique art incl paintings, drawings, prints, photos, sculpture, pottery, ornaments, toys, greeting cards, more.

Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-966-5617.

Through Nov 16, “24th National Print Exhibition,” winning selections of juried competition featuring 81 works selected by juror Joni Moisant Weyl.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-278-2670.

Nov 15, Discovery Day: Mixed Media Moses, 10:30 am-noon, free workshop, participants will use yarn to create a Moses-style landscape; Nov 15, exhibition tour, 1 pm, fee (call); Nov 16, exhibition tour, 2:30 pm, fee (call); Nov 22, Discovery Day: “Lore and Legend in The Galleries,” 10:30 am-noon, storyteller Ellie Toy will explore the magic & wonder of American folk tales, then offer family story-making activity; Nov 22, exhibition tour, 1 pm, fee (call); Nov 23, exhibition tour, 2:30 pm, fee (call).

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 Nov 20, “WAA Faculty Show 2003,” work by faculty in various media.

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

Through Nov 26, “Reflect Again – An Exhibition of Art by WestConn Alumni,” 34 works by 12 WCSU graduates (Phyllis Boger, Nancy White Cassidy, Carolyn Curie, Joe DiGuiseppi, Marsha Doran, Jessica Espinel, Viviana Espinosa, John Kane, Ival Stratford Kovner, Beau Marsh, Nancy Sweeney & Tom Taylor) presenting wide spectrum of media incl watercolors, pastels, prints & sculpture.

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.

*(new show) Through Dec 12, “Maya Boreen: Autumn Illusions,” recent oils by Ms Boreen; Nov 23, artist’s reception (public invited), 4-6 pm.

Wooster Community Art Center, 73 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury. Gallery hours: M-F 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Call 744-4825.

Through Nov 30, “William McGee: Poet of the Seen,” collection of unique works in collage & assemblage by the noted American artist.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Bel Canto Chorus, First United Methodist Church, 250 Country Club Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-241-1888.

Through Nov 23: Auditions for new chorus of women’s voices, Sun evenings, seeks experienced singers, conductor & artistic director is Leslie Eckstein, repertoire to incl all styles & types ca 10th-21st C, call for audition appt or additional info, rehearsals will also be Sun pm (or visit www.BelCantoChorus.tripod.com).

Connecticut Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury CT 06704-0053. Call 203-584-2857.

Dec 31: Deadline to receive entries for 2003 Wallace W. Winchell Poetry Contest, send SASE for full guidelines.

Family Counseling Center Newtown Holiday Festival, Newtown. Call 364-0597.

Volunteers needed for annual festival, 11 am-5 pm (antiques & crafts shows open at 10), openings in following:

Festival Gala (**on Friday, Dec 5, in Danbury): Decorations, guest check-in, reception, cashiers.

Signs: Set-up & take-down.

Ticket sales.

House Tour: Tour guides needed.

New England Café: set-up, replenish food, bus tables, casher & clean-up openings.

Crafts Show & Antiques Show: Runners needed for set-up & break-down.

Newtown Holiday Festival Arts & Crafts Fair, at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Call 270-9460, 426-7876.

Dec 7: Vendors sought for participation in this year’s event, 10 am-5 pm, call for details or application from co-chairs Leslie Troy (first phone #) or Laura Kurtz (second #).

St Jude Church, 707 Monroe Tpke, Monroe. Call 261-6404.

Dec 6: Openings for vendors in Annual Christmas Fair, will be 10 am-4 pm, fees are $40 for 7-ft table, $80 for 14-ft table, call for application.

St Theresa Confraternity, 5301 Main St, Trumbull. Call 261-3676 (M-F), 268-5785, 459-2512.

Nov 22: Openings for Annual Craft Fair, 9:30 am-3 pm in school gym, non-refundable registration fee $25, professional & non-professional crafters welcome, call for details & reservations.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Nov 14: Ridgefield Opera Company’s Fountain Music Series opener, First Congregational Church, 103 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 7:30 pm, free adm (donations accepted), performance by sopranos Christine Antenbring & Anna Christy & baritones Tom Meglioranza & Joe Kaiser will be directed by ROC music director Brent McMunn; 203-438-6589.

Nov 15: “Fiddlers Two: An Evening with Richard Geene and Julie Lyonn Lieberman,” Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $12/advance, $15/door, bluegrass, swing, blues, Celtic & old-time fiddle performances by bluegrass fiddler Greene and improvisational fiddler Lyonn Lieberman; 364-1510.

Nov 15: Arturo Sandoval at Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $25-$35, concert sponsored by Command Performance will feature the celebrated jazz trumpeter; 825-3131.

Nov 15: Eileen Ivers at The Klein, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, 8 pm, tickets $25-$35, performance by fiery violinist & her 5-pc band will take Irish music beyond traditional roots w/ jazz, rock, salsa & funk influences while remaining true to Celtic traditions; 203-345-4800 x150 (Harbor Yard box office).

Nov 15-16: 16th Northeast Music, Art & Dance (NOMAD) Festival, at Hill Career High School, 140 Legion Ave, New Haven, Sat 10 am-11 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adult adm $11 for 6 hours, ranges to $29/full weekend, lower rates for seniors & children, concerts, dance performances & participatory dance & music sessions for adults & families, folk bazaar & crafts, refreshments, dancers must wear (or bring) soft-soled, non street shoes; 203-372-3890.

Nov 15-16: “Musical Magic” by Waterbury Symphony Orchestra, Naugatuck Valley College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, Sat 8:15 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $18-$45 (special family rate for Sun, $35), guest pianist Hsing-at Hsu, works of Dukas & Stravinsky will re-tell The Sorcerer’s Apprentice & The Firebird (reading by guest storyteller Ellie Troy on Sun); 203-574-4283.

Nov 16: “Music For A Great Space,” concert by Danbury Concert Chorus & Danbury Symphony Brass at St Peter Church, 104 Main St, Danbury, 2:30 pm, free concert designed to take advantage of wonderful acoustics & beautiful surroundings of the church will incl works of Gabrielli, Pinkham, Rheinberger & Wilhousky; 748-1716.

Nov 16: “A Tribute to Irving Berlin” by The Red Balaban Swintet, Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, 3 pm, free concert in library’s community room will continue fall concert schedule, post-performance reception; 775-6241 x104.

Nov 16: Connecticut pianist Russell Hirschfield at St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington Green, 4 pm, tickets $15, works of Debussy & Messiaen; 860-868-2527.

Nov 20: The Derek Trucks Band and Pinetop Perkins at Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $35, Allman Brothers Band guitarist brings his band of jazz-blues-rock-Latin, etc for show that also features co-headliner Perkins, the 90-something pianist whose Mississippi Delta blues work is a major influence on others; 203-438-5795.

Nov 22: “It’s Showtime!” by The Ridgefield Chorale, at Veterans Park School, Governor St, Ridgefield, 7:30 pm, tickets $15 adults, $5 seniors & students, free ages 5 & under, coloratura soprano Daniela Sikora will direct Gina Wilson & The Ridgefield Swing Band and Ridgefield Chorale in program of music from Gilbert & Sullivan to current Broadway musicals; 203-438-3425.

Nov 22: Pianists Edith G. Sullivan & Margarita Nuller at Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, free recital by duo pianists will incl works for 4 hands by Beethoven, Moszowski, Debussy & Poulenc; 748-1716.

Nov 23: CT Master Chorale Annual Holiday Concert, at St Mary’s Church, 24 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Bethel, 3 pm, tickets $15/adv, $20/door, premiere of Jay Althouse a cappella spiritual “Shout The News!” also works of Stroope, Rutter, multi-cultural works, spirituals & gospel numbers, Hanukkah songs & other festive selections, CMC accompanied by CT Master Chorale Orchestra & pianist Joseph Jacovino; 743-0473.

Nov 23: “Romantic Songs of Europe,” Teikyo Post University’s MacDermid Hall, 800 Country Club Rd, Waterbury, 3 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students, $5 ages 12 & under, performance by mezzo soprano Margaret Capen & pianist King Bosworth will incl German lieder by Schumann, Russian songs by Rachmaninoff & Tchaikovsky, Italian & French songs by Falconieri, Donaudy, Poulenc & Satie, English songs by Edwards, Williams & Charles, & arias by Masenet, Saint-Saens & Bizet; 203-754-5590.

Ives Concert Hall at WCSU, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Nov 21, Brazilian guitar virtuoso Romero Lubambo, 7 pm, free performance by Lumambo joined by 6 WCSU Jazz Combos; Nov 24, “A New England Sampler,” 8 pm, free concert by WCSU Concert Choir & WCSU Chamber Singers will offer vocal music of New England composers.

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: Nov 16, The Los Angeles String Quartet.

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010, 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396).

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Nov 15, Pilobolus Dance Company, performance of mixed repertory from imaginative troupe; Nov 22, Krasnoyarsk National Dance Company of Siberia, $28-$38.

Films _________________

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

Nov 14-20: In The Cut (R), daily 9:35 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 4 pm; Lost In Translation (R), daily 7:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 pm; Master and Commander (PG-13), daily 6:50 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 3:50, Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm; Mystic River (R), daily 6:40 & 915 pm, mat Fri 3:40 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:50 & 3:40 pm; The Station Agent (PG-13), daily 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 5:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20, 3:20 & 5:20 pm.

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

Nov 14-20: The Swimming Pool (R), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Quick Center at Fairfield University, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Russian Film Series, screenings 7 pm, adm $7 ($30/series): Nov 17, Solyaris; next screening Dec 8.

For Kids & Families _________

Nov 22: Thumbelina by Theatre IV, at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15, musical adaptation of Hans Christian Anderson classic; 203-438-5795.

Nov 29: The Mighty Mysterious Megapuff by CosaComica Kids Company, School of Performing Arts, 55 West St, New Milford, 11:30 am, tickets $6 (group discounts available); 860-210-1444.

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: Nov 23, Sunday Afternoon Family Program, 2 pm, $5, one of center’s naturalists will lead informal, easy walk designed for all ages who are interested in nature, families w/ children particularly welcome, watch for winter resident & late-migrating birds, animal tracks or hike to one of the sanctuary’s overlooks.

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

Free public programs: Nov 18, book signing w/ Elisa Grodin, 3 pm, program by author of N is For Nutmeg: A Connecticut Alphabet.

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

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Nov 15, Thanksgiving Craft Program, 1-2 pm, $3 (materials fee), ages 6 & up invited to join workshop led by Marie Walker.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

Zoo adm is $7 adults, $5 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, programs included w/ adm: Nov 16, America Recycles Day, 12-3 pm, play Recycle Relay Game, learn fun & fascinating environmental facts about recycling & make wind chime from recycled plastic bottle caps (raindate Nov 23).

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre Co., 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

Rudolph! Nov 15-Dec 28, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50, group discounts available.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

Polka Dot Kids Theatre Series, monthly series w/ guest performers, shows at 10 am & noon, tickets $12, series tickets & group discounts available: Nov 22, Laugh Me To The Moon, or The Meaning of Life, performance of physical comedy, mime illusion, music, magic, wit & wisdom “served on a bed of humorous stories” by funnyman Stephen Stearns.

Quick Center for the Arts/Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Young Audience series, performances 1 & 3 pm: Nov 23, Amelia Bedelia For Mayor and other stories, performed by TheatreWorks/USA, for grades K-3.

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

2003-04 Saturday Series For Children, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15 (series discounts available): Nov 22, Thumbelina, children’s story performed by Theatre IV.

Miscellaneous ___________

Nov 14: Town and Country Garden Club of Newtown meeting, Newtown Senior Center/Multi-Purpose Building, Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, begins 7:30 pm, non members welcome, program by Katherine Neville on creating fast & easy decorations for holidays; 426-5359.

Nov 15: Wine Tasting & Silent Auction, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30-11 pm, adm $10/person, $18/couple, silent bids close 10 pm, sample wines from 6 international vineyards, also hors d’oeuvres, desserts, etc, hosted by Congregation Adath Israel of Newtown; 426-2932, 264-0804.

Nov 15: 26th Annual Holiday Bazaar, Center Firehouse, Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 9 am-3 pm, 40+ vendors w/ crafts, wooden toys, woodcraft, bears, dolls, knit & crochet goods, refreshments, baked goods, visits w/ Santa (10 am-noon & 12:30-2 pm, photos addt’l $3), proceeds to benefit Southbury Volunteer Fire Dept & Ladies Auxiliary (ladies present fair).

Nov 15: Holiday Mission Fair at Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 West Whisconier Rd, Brookfield, 9:30 am-3 pm, handcrafts from Ten Thousand Village & MayaWorks, also tag sale, bake sale & soup sale, proceeds to benefit local mission organizations; 775-2624.

Nov 15: Annual Harvest & Yuletide Fair, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, 9:30 am-3 pm, hand crafted items, books, flowers, baked goods, Gourmet Booth will offer plum pudding, visits w/ Santa, lunch (11 am-2 pm), free shuttle service from Bethel Municipal Center (on School St); 748-6112.

Nov 15: Holiday Bazaar, Haven Health Center, 162 South Britain Rd, Southbury, 10 am-3 pm, baked goods, raffles, white elephant, crafts; 264-9600.

Nov 15: Poetry reading featuring Doris Henderson & Marianela Medrano, The Women’s Center of Greater Danbury, 2 West St, Danbury, 3-5 pm, readings by each of the featured writers will be followed by open mic; 731-5200.

Nov 15: WUMC Monthly Spaghetti Supper, 3 Church St at Main St South, Woodbury, 4:45-7 pm, $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner (meatballs addt’l 50¢ each), proceeds support church projects; 203-263-4775.

Nov 15-16: Northeast festival of Music, Art & Dance (NOMAD), at Hill Career High School, 140 Legion Ave, New Haven, Sat 10 am-11 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adult adm $11 for 6 hours, ranges to $29/full weekend, lower rates for seniors & children, concerts, dance performances & participatory dance & music sessions for adults & families, folk bazaar & crafts, refreshments; 203-372-3890.

Nov 15-16: Artist’s Open Studio, Gallery & Sculpture Field, Milltown Rd at Rte 39, New Fairfield, 10 am-6 pm rain or shine, free adm, open house by sculptor David Boyakian will incl presentation of large scale wood sculptures, works on paper, smaller steel & bronze works, iron candlesticks, small etchings, more; 746-6101.

Nov 16: Psychic Fair, Danbury Maron (Radisson), Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 6-11 pm, free adm, tarot & palm readers, vendors; 470-1806.

Nov 16: 5th Annual Holiday Wine Tasting Experience, WCSU Warner Hall, midtown campus (White St), Danbury, 4-7 pm, donation $50, 125+ wines from around the world available for tastings, also gourmet food from local restaurants, proceeds to benefit WCSU Scholarship Fund; 837-8298.

Nov 16: “Searching For Happiness in All the Wrong Places? Begin Within,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by guest speaker Ro Palladino will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Nov 17: CT Poetry Society/Danbury area chapter meeting at Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St (at corner of West), Danbury, 6-8 pm, free & open to non-members, bring copies of original poems to share or just sit in for critiques, group meets 3rd Mon/month; 790-8073.

Nov 18: “Fire In The Connecticut Forest,” Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 7:30 pm, free program by Jeff Ward (Dept of Forestry & Horticulture) on the history of fire in CT & how fire has played a major role in the type of forest CT now has, large collection of historical photos & recent video of fires; 734-2513, 729-6777.

Nov 19: Steve Wronker the Comedy Hypnotist at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 7 pm, adm $5, proceeds to benefit Habitat for Humanity/Youth United and NHS Charity Club (show rescheduled from November 12).

Nov 19: Housatonic Valley Paddlers Club meeting, CL&P Service Center, Barnabas Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, free & open to anyone interested in kayaks, canoes & other human-powered craft, program by DEP wildlife biologist Peter Picone on the restoration efforts on Quinnipiac River; 203-263-3281.

Nov 19: Candlewood Valley Knitting Guild meeting (non-members welcome), Brookfield Community Center, Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 7:30 pm, all levels of knitters inivited, share skills & learn new techniques; 748-1094, 743-3701.

Nov 20: Michael Chabon at WCSU White Hall Theater, 181 White St, Danbury, tickets $35, 8 pm, reading by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist (The Wonder Boys, The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay, others) will appear courtesy of Aldrich Museum in Ridgefield; 203-438-4519.

Nov 22: Annual Holiday Festival, North Congregational Church, 11 Main St North/Rte 6, Woodbury, 9 am-3 pm, sports, took & garden offerings, baked goods, Children’s Room, visits & photos w/ Santa, raffle for Victorian-style dollhouse, Harvest Stew Luncheon, more; 203-263-2410.

Nov 22: Annual Craft Show, St Theresa Confraternity, 5301 Main St, Trumbull, 9:30 am-3 pm, free adm, professional & non-professional crafters participating, food & baked goods, raffle; 261-3676.

Nov 22: St Andrew’s Church Annual Bazaar, church’s parish house, Rte 341, Kent, 10 am-1:30 pm, crafts, baked goods, jellies & spreads, antique & fine quality items, white elephant table, children’s table (w/ toys, inexpensive jewelry & gift specially priced for children to purchase), door prizes, lunch & snacks, proceeds will benefit efforts of St Andrew’s Mission & Outreach Committee; 860-927-3486.

Nov 22: Nutmeg Stamp Club Holiday Show, Christ Episcopal Church, 2000 Main St, Stratford, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, 21 dealers w/ US & stamps from around the world, USPO substation will be set up, more; 203-834-8197.

Nov 22: Ridgefield Woman’s Club 33rd Annual Craft Fair, East Ridge Middle School, Rte 102, Ridgefield, 10 am-4 pm, adm $5, free ages 5 & under, juried show will offer 100+ crafters participating, shuttle bus available from Jesse Lee Methodist Church (on Main St/Rte 35); 203-438-5018.

Nov 23: D.E.E. Coin & Collectibles Coin & Paper Money Show, Danbury Sheraton Hotel, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, 40 tables w/ dealers from across Northeast presenting US & foreign coins, paper money, supplies & related items, limited appraisal services; 746-7531.

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: Nov 15, Project Feeder Watch Training, 10 am-2 pm (short program, will repeat hourly), learn how to ID common birds & receive introduction to winter survey that has been running since 1987; Nov 18, Introduction to Audubon Center Hike, 9:30 am, leisurely hike along river to center’s barn, learn about center’s programs & projects; Nov 19, adult nature walk, 9 am, donation $5; Nov 23, Sunday Afternoon Family Program, 2 pm, $5, one of center’s naturalists will lead informal, easy walk designed for all ages who are interested in nature, families w/ children particularly welcome, watch for winter resident & late-migrating birds, animal tracks or hike to one of the sanctuary’s overlooks; Nov 26, Adult Nature Walk, 9 am, $5, one of center’s naturalists will lead walk to notice details that may escape attention during warmer months incl winter resident & lingering migrants birds, bring binoculars if possible.

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

Free public programs: Nov 16, discussion & readings from The Family Without Borders (La Famiglia Senza Frontiere), 2 pm, Bethel native, author & anthropologist Joan Weibel-Orlando, PhD, will offer slides & discussion of old Bethel interweaved w/ lives of Tuscan-Americans who settled in the area, also Tuscan-style refreshments by author’s aunt & cousins; Nov 18, “Radio Classics: The Shadow, The Lone Ranger & The Adventures of Superman,” 7 pm, new series of programs offers playing of classic radio broadcasts.

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

Programs free unless noted: Nov 15, intermediate computer class, 9 am-noon (registration requested), $10 supply fee, led by Dan Tannenbaum; Nov 16, program by porcelain artist Jean Mann, 2 pm, talk by artist who is featured in library’s current exhibition; Nov 20, Evening Book Club, 7:30 pm, discussion of Lucy Grealy’s Autobiography of A Face, newcomers welcome.

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

Nov 16, “Thanksgiving: Let Them Eat Turkey! The Wampanoag Indians and The Plymouth Colonists,” 1 pm, incl w/ museum adm ($4 adults, $2 ages 6-16), slide lecture by WCSU Prof Laurie Weinstein.

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: Nov 15, Stagecoach Road Hike, Patterson, N.Y. (Eloise Muller, 241-6462, 740-8957); Nov 22, Devil’s Hopyard (Morie Colburn (203-937-8067).

Newtown Singles, meetings at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 261-4210.

Monthly “Meet & Mingle” events, 7-9 pm:

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.

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

Free programs: Nov 20, “Denizens of The Deep Reveal Their Secrets: Tapeworms of the World’s Sharks & Rays,” 7 pm, free lecture by UConn parasitologist & professor Dr Janine Caira, suitable for adults & older children.

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: Nov 22, “How To Talk With the Other Side,” with Cindy Miller.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: Nov 14, readings by NYC psychic-medium Joan Carra; Nov 21, Holiday Party.

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 Series, 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: Nov 19, Dimitri Rimsky; Nov 26, Happy Thanksgiving program (open mic to celebrate friends, family & things to be thankful for).

Theatre ______________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Brookfield Playhouse, Rte 25, Brookfield Center.

Jacques Brel Is Alive and Well and Living in Paris, through Nov 22, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Nov 9 only, call for time), also Thurs (Nov 13 only) 8 pm, tickets $15.

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

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn, through Dec 14, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, call for ticket prices.

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

*dates of performance changed: Fraulein Else, Nov 19-Dec 21 (previews Nov 19-24), curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets ($30-$40 during previews) $38-$55; Nov 20, “Theatre 101,” pre-performance discussion; Dec 2, Talkback Tuesday, post-performance discussion; Dec 7, Sunday Symposium, post-matinee discussion; Dec 9, Talkback Tuesday, post-performance discussion; Dec 16, Talkback Tuesday, post-performance discussion.

On Stage II: Fran’s Bed, through Nov 25 (run extended), curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets ($30-$40 during previews) $38-$55.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

Over the Tavern, through Dec 14, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$35, group rates available.

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

Oscar and Felix: A New Look At The Odd Couple, through Nov 30, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50 *(note: updated telling of 1966 Broadway hit brings Oscar & Felix into 21st Century).

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

The Best Man, through Nov 22, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat (*Nov 22 only) 4 pm, Sun (Nov 16) 2 pm, tickets $16 adults, $15 seniors & children.

Stamford TheatreWorks, 200 Strawberry Hill Ave (on Sacred Heart campus), Stamford. Call 203-359-4414.

K2, through Nov 23, curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $16-$29.

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

Deathtrap, through Nov 29, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Nov 16 & 23) 2 pm, tickets $12 for evening shows, $10 matinees.

WCSU/Berkshire Theatre, (midtown campus, off White St) Danbury. Call 837-8732, 837-8486.

Kiss Me, Kate, through Nov 22, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, tickets $17 adults, $12 seniors, students & ages 12 & under.

Wilton Playshop, Lovers La (behind congregational church), Wilton. Call 762-7629.

Camelot, through Nov 29, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun (Nov 16 only), tickets $18 adults, $15 students & seniors.

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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.