Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places ___________________________

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield;

203-438-4519.

Through Feb 8: “Peggy Preheim: Little Black Book,” the museum exhibition to fully explore the wide range of Ms Preheim’s very delicate & intensely private work incl 75 drawings, paintings, sculptural objects & photos created between 1984-2007.

Through Feb 14: “The Soul - Journey to America,” huge freestanding paper sculpture (14+ ft tall, approx 650 pounds) by the Korean artist Kwang-Young Chun.

Through Feb 14: “Full Circle: Ten Years of Radius,” anniversary celebration of successful professional artist development program presented by the Aldrich that has jumpstarted many careers will incl work by14 previous Radius artists.

Through Feb 14: “The Silent Echo Chamber,” multiscreen video installation by award-winning comedic actor,writer, musician & radio host Harry Shearer.

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

Through Jan 4: “Celebrate the Season,” museum’s period rooms decorated in elaborate 19th Century style demonstrating early trends & later elaborate ornaments became part of American tradition; Dec 30, Celebrate the Season For Kids, 11 am-noon, $7 adults, $4 ages 4-17 (incl museum adm), grades K-4 invited for age-appropriate gallery tour of “Celebrate the Season,” to be followed by craft time, reservations requested (program also being offered Jan 2); Dec 31, Best Night-New Year’s Eve Celebration, Barnum Museum w/ Playhouse on the Green & City Lights Gallery, downtown Bridgeport, 4-8 pm, $5 adults, $3 children, storytelling, magician, puppeteer, face painting, balloon animals & craft activities for all ages; Jan 2, Celebrate the Season For Kids, see Dec 30 details.

Permanent exhibitions: “Come One Come All: The Barnum Festival,” exhibit highlighting the history & significance of the festival as an event & an organization in constant operation since 1949 incl ballgowns, portraits of past Ringmasters, pins, posters & props, photos & other paraphernalia to reflect upon as symbols of community spirit & historical significance the festival has given to city of Bridgeport. “Grand Adventure: A Celebration of the American Spirit in Bridgeport,” permanent exhibit on museum’s 2nd floor provides in-depth exploration of Bridgeport’s 19th Century industrialization & urbanization w/ emphasis on P.T. Barnum’s role in the city’s growth; “P.T. Barnum: Bethel To Broadway To Bridgeport,” artifacts incl reproduction of Barnum’s Fejee Mermaid, souvenir pc of cake from Tom Thumb’s 1863 wedding & personal items from Barnum family; re-creation of library from Barnum’s first Bridgeport mansion Iranistan; “Baby Bridgeport,” preserved 6’8” 700-lb elephant, 2nd elephant born in captivity & 1st to be preserved; re-creation of drawing room from Harral-Wheeler mansion, considered one of most outstanding examples of Gothic Revival in America, ca 1847; “P.T. Barnum Presents the ‘Divine Jenny’ Lind,” artifacts from American tour of opera star reveals impact of Barnum-Lind collaboration on culture & society & Barnum’s promotional talents; 1,000-sq ft 3/4-inch scale model of five ring circus hand-carved by Meriden resident William Brinley w/ more than 3,000 miniature pcs; “General Tom Thumb,” original furniture, clothing & personal objects belonging to Barnum’s legendary protégé; and Pa-Ib, an Egyptian mummy documented by Egyptian priest as more than 2,500 yrs old.

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

In first floor display cases — Through Dec 30: menorahs from collections of members of Greater Newtown chapter/The Hadassah Project.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich;

203-869-0376.

Through Jan 4: “Paris Portraits: Artists, Friends and Lovers,” first museum show to feature “the great mosaic of Parisian art as a ‘group portrait’ of its leading practitioners” incl works of Picasso, Matisse, Chagall, Duchamp, Beckmann, Brancusi, et al, incl famous images alongside rarely seen works.

Through Feb 1: “That Liberty Shall Not Perish,” 18 original WWI posters recently given to museum’s permanent collection by Beverly & John Watling, incl those created for the four Liberty Loan campaigns, the War Savings Stamp program, the Victory Loan program & the Red Cross.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury; 778-8337.

Permanent exhibitions on railroad history (museum is along old New Haven RR line & housed in former Danbury station & railyard), also original & restored rolling stock incl a New Haven RR Mack FCD railbus, Alco RS-1 diesel locomotive, fully operating turntable, etc.

Discovery Museum and Planetarium, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport;

203-372-3521.

Through Jan 25: “How To Make A Monster: The Art and Technology of Animatronics,” secrets behind movie creatures & how they get made incl original concept, storyboard, maquettes & full size sculptures & moldings incl Inspector Gadget, Abominable Snowman, gorillas from George of the Jungle 2, aliens from Pitch Black & others.

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

Through Jan 5: “And Furthermore… Clay Horses,” hand built clay horses by Louise W. King.

Through Jan 5: “Pentimento,” paintings by Matt Wood that contain thick massing of pigments & raw canvas.

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (on the green), New Milford;

860-354-3436.

Through Jan 17: “Small Treasures & More,” 8th annual holiday group exhibit features works by Thomas Adkins, James Coe, Rick Daskam, Ralph Della-Volpe, Robert Ferrucci, Vincent Giarrano, Christopher Magadini, Woldemar Neufeld, Alain Picard, Bill Rice, Danielle Wexler & Scott Zuckerman.

Gunn Memorial Library & Museum, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green; 860-868-7756.

Through Jan 11: “Trucks, Hydrants and Hoses,” holiday exhibit featuring vintage toys, fire engines & memorabilia incl toy fire trucks of all shapes & sizes loaned from area collectors.

Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington;

860-868-0518.

Through 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.

Through Dec 31: “Digging Into The Past: Archaeology in Connecticut,” exploration of tools & techniques archaeologists use to uncover past histories, w/ focus on CT sites incl Templeton site in Washington, Tubbs Shellheap in Niantic & Schaghticoke Village in Kent.

Through Dec 31: “The Venture Smith Homestead Site,” expanded collection features items from 18th Century African prince, ex-captive & free black American merchant farmer.

Through Dec 31: “Mississippi Peoples and Their Pottery,” effigy vessels made in form of animal or human, also globular bowls & hooded bottles made during era starting ca 700 AD.

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 1: “Nativities of Europe: Folk Art to Fine Art,” approx 90 crèches from across Europe borrowed from 3 American collections as well as 24-ft wide diorama from Naples.

Through Feb 1: “Christmas in Connecticut: Nativities in New Haven, Hamden and Middletown,” Nativities by students from Sacred Heart Academy featuring Hamden’s contemporary landmarks & historic places w/ Holy Family in midst of snow covered diorama, and another by students of Xavier High School, placing birth of Jesus in middle of historic river port city circa 1930s, and third scene depicting Christmas in New Haven circa 1882 w/ Holy Family next to St Mary’s Church.

Koenig FrameWorks, 97 South Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 270-1887.

Through Dec 24: “Perspective,” photographs by Art Anderson, Bob Berthier & Frank Gardner.

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

Ongoing: “Frogs!” 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.

Mark Twain House & Museum Center, 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford;

860-247-0998.

Permanent exhibition: “Twain, Tiffany & Other Treasures: Highlights from the Collection,” 100+ objects incl some of most important pcs in museum’s collection, many never before presented publicly, arranged in 4 thematic sections – “The Work of Louis Comfort Tiffany,” “The Clemens Family in Hartford,” “Sam Clemens/Mark Twain” & “Victoriana.”

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

Through Dec 28: “The Brave and Valiant: The History of the Waterbury Fire Department,” historic photos, oral histories & memorabilia loaned by local firefighters & their families.

Through Jan 11: “Speak To Me: The Connecticut Biennial 2008,” works by 18 artists who were selected to participate in biennial event for their forward-thinking & compelling works, ranging from paintings & performance to sculpture & video.

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

Through Jan 5: “Familiar Faces and Figures,” portraits by multimedia artists Lorraine Agri & metal sculptures by James Travers.

Mocha Coffee House, 3 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook; 364-9200.

Through Dec 31: paintings by artist & teacher Claudia Mitchell.

Morrison Gallery, Kent Village Barns, 8 Old Barn Rd (near Rte 7 at Rte 341), Kent; 860-927-4501.

Through Jan 11: 15 new oils by New England artist Chris Armstrong featuring works on canvas, aluminum & panel.

Visual Impact Gallery, 4 Eagle Rd, Danbury; 790-9650.

Through Dec 31: “Holiday Arts Festival,” limited edition prints by more than 40 nationally recognized artists & photographers.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford;

860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

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.

Through Jan 4: “At Home With Gustav Stickley: Arts & Crafts from the Stephen Gray Collection,” approx 140 exceptional objects from the Gray collection, plus related works from Atheneum’s holdings.

Through Jan 25: “Who Was Anna Tuels? Quilt Stories, 1750-1900,” celebration of quilting’s history from 18th & 19th Centuries in America, featuring famed “Anna Tuels” quilt, believed to be earliest dated American pieced quilt in existence, also items from museum’s permanent collection focusing on history of ownership & what quilting tells us about the lives of women in the past.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Grounds are always open dawn through dusk; call for visitor center and gallery hours; 203-761-9945, 203-834-1896.

Through Feb 1: “Preservation And Protection: Conservation of Art at Weir Farm National Historic Site,” 12 recently conserved, historic works on paper from Nat’l Historic Site’s collection by J. Alden Weir, his father Robert Walter Weir, Mahonri Young, & Weir’s daughters Caroline Weir Ely & Dorothy Weir Young, incl large pastel drawing that was study for 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven;

203-432-2800.

Through Jan 4: “Benjamin West and The Venetian Secret,” both versions of West’s “Cicero Discovering the Tomb of Archimedes,” along w/ recent technical analysis, copies of the fake manuscript regarding “long-forgotten recipes … of Venetian High Renaissance techniques of oil painting.”

Through Jan 4: “Sun, Wind and Rain: The Art of David Cox,” first major retrospective of Cox’s work ever in US, marking 150th anniv of artist’s death, examines the work of important figure in  development of British landscape & watercolor paintings through 100+ watercolors & drawings, plus one dozen oils.

Auditions, Juried Events     _________________

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Call 917-699-4045.

Jan 10-12: Open auditions for Camelot, based on T.H. White’s Once and Future King, Sat 12-2 pm, Sun-Mon 7-9 pm, rehearsals to be eves & some weekends mid-Feb to late May, performances Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun afternoons, May 29-June 27, contact director Craig David Rosen at above phone # for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events ______________

Dec 28: 8th Annual Concert Society Chamber Orchestra Holiday Concert, Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $30 (must be purchased or reserved in advance; no ticket sales at door), program to incl debut of new composition by William David Brohn, also works of Vivaldi, Williams & Tchaikovsky, guest soprano Maria Ferrante, performance conducted by Richard Serbagi, reception to follow, fundraiser for Newtown Parent Connection; 426-9280, 994-5394.

Dec 28: 4th annual Community Messiah Sing-In, Roxbury Congregational Church, 24 Church St/Rte 317, Roxbury, 4 pm, free, public invited to join community chorus to be directed by Christopher Shay, w/ guest vocalists, for “Christmas section” of Handel’s masterpiece, will be using Schirmer scores (limited supply will be available to purchase at door); 860-355-1968 (church), 860-355-4032 (Shepaug Friends of Music/Allen Eddy).

Dec 31: Anthony Nazzaro Trio at Rizzuto’s Restaurant, 6 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 9 pm-1 am, jazz standards of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, et al; 790-4444. 

Jan 2: 2nd Annual Twelfth Night Celebration, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free renaissance theme celebration will include music, dance, dramatic readings, ceremonial carrying in of boar’s head and selection of king and queen, suitable for entire family, costumes encouraged, reception to follow; 426-9024, 426-6470.

Jan 3: NUMC Coffee House, 7:45-10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Road, adm $4 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate Misc listing), $5 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-9998.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Dec 30, Gregg Allman, $90; Jan 4, Little Feat, $55-$65.

For Kids & Families ______________________

Through Dec 31: 21st annual Hands-On Train Display, Railroad Station, 11 Railroad St, New Milford, 12-4 pm daily (closed Christmas Day only), free, four operating layouts for all ages to enjoy; 860-354-6080.

Dec 30: Celebrate the Season For Kids, The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 11 am-noon, grades K-4 invited for age-appropriate gallery tour of “Celebrate the Season,” to be followed by craft time, reservations requested (program also being offered Jan 2); 203-331-1104 x106.

Dec 30: Teddy Bears, Toys & Tea at The Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 1-3 pm, $5/child ($4 museum members), scavenger hunt, tea party, guest story teller Rita Hughes & refreshments, children encouraged to bring stuffed animal w/ them, registration requested; 203-753-0381 x10.

Miscellaneous ___­­­­­­­­­­­­­­________________________

Through Dec 31: 21st annual Hands-On Train Display, Railroad Station, 11 Railroad St, New Milford, 12-4 pm daily (closed Christmas Day only), free, four operating layouts for all ages to enjoy; 860-354-6080.

Dec 31: Best Night-New Year’s Eve Celebration, Barnum Museum, Playhouse on the Green & City Lights Gallery, downtown Bridgeport, 4-8 pm, $5 adults, $3 children, storytelling, magician, puppeteer, face painting, balloon animals & craft activities for all ages; 203-331-1104.

Jan 2: 2nd Annual Twelfth Night Celebration, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free renaissance theme celebration will include music, dance, dramatic readings, ceremonial carrying in of boar’s head and selection of king and queen, suitable for entire family, costumes encouraged, reception to follow; 426-9024, 426-6470.

Jan 3: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $9 adults, $8 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.

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

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

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

(FILM) Dec 26-31: Walt Disney’s Beverly Hills Chihuahua (PG), Fri-Tues 7 & 9 pm, mat Fri-Wed 1 & 4 pm.

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

Weekly games, Sat 1-5 pm, drop-in chess open to all skill levels, sets & boards provided, hosted by US Chess Federation expert Glenn Budzinski.

Newtown Hikers. Call 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown,10 am (winter start time), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Jan 3, Southbury Land Trust, moderate hike (leader Pat Callan, 264-2153); Jan 10, Whittle More Sanctuary, Woodbury, medium hike (leader Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); Jan 17, Silver Sands Beach Walk, Milford, easy hike (Ray Falk, 203-520-3793).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, New-town. 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 Dec 27 to March 11 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required (reservations line now open).

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: Dec 27, comic ventriloquist Pete Michaels & Billy Winn co-headlining, John Ivarone opening; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve w/ Rich Vos, Bonnie McFarlane & Mitchell Walters, shows at 8 (tickets $29.95) & 10 pm ($39.95), both incl champagne toast, party favors, dancing, show & dinner available.

Theatre _________________________________­­­­­­­­­­

Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call

203-576-1636.

42nd Street, through Jan 4, curtain Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 5:30 & 8:30 pm, tickets $49 Fri-Sat, $39 Sun; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala, curtain 8 pm, tickets $75, performance followed by dancing w/ DJ Jimmy Cabaret until 2 am, party favors & noise makers, balloon drop, coffee & Danish, set ups, soda, mixers & parking.

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

The Producers, through Jan 11 (production extended), curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, call for ticket info.

On Stage II:

TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford. Call

860-350-6863.

Mrs Bob Cratchit’s Wild Christmas Binge, through Jan 3 (production extended), curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve gala fundraising performance, curtain 8 pm, tickets $50 incl hors d’oeuvres & open bar (wine & beer), soft drinks.

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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.

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.