Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (through mid-Dec): 38th 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 11): 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.

Aug 27: 34TH Madison Historical Society Antiques Fair, on the green, Rte 1, Madison, 9 am-3:30 pm rain or shine, adm $4, no pets, 115 dealers, refreshments; 203-245-0642.

Sept 3-4: Farmington Antiques Weekend, Farmington Polo Grounds, Town Farm Rd, Farmington, Sat 8 am-5 pm, Sun 120 am-5 pm, adm $10 Sat (good for both days), $7 Sun, free parking available inside polo grounds, 600± dealers from US & Europe exhibiting outdoors under tents, refreshments; 317-431-7154, show phone 860-677-7862.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Bachelier Cardonsky Gallery, Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-927-3129.

Through Sept 11: celebration of summer w/ paintings by Margaret Crenson, Silvius Krecu & Eleanor Miller & sculpture by Rhoda Keller.

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 Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through Aug 31: “Passport To Newtown’s Past,” images loaned from Newtown Historical Images Archive will illustrate life in Newtown during late 1800s-mid 1900s, Tercentennial exhibit presented by Newtown Historical Society.

In first & second floor display cases —*(new show) Through Sept 30: “The Prehistory of Newtown,” artifacts from collection of Town Historian Dan Cruson that illustrate the development of Native American culture in the area & the science of archaeology that enabled conclusions to be reached about development.

On library’s main floor — Through Sept 20: hand hooked rugs by award-winning rug hooker Liz Alpert Fay.

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 Aug 31: “The Ironworks District,” artifacts, photos, hat-making tools & memorabilia highlighting the historic significance of town’s former industrial production center, which ran along Still River.

City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Court, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues 12-5 pm, Wed-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 11 am-2 pm & by appt. Call 203-334-7748.

*(new show) Sept 2-Oct 15: “The New Landscape,” landscape paintings by Ira Barkoff & Don Bracken, sculpture by David Colbert, all of Cornwall; Sept 2, opening reception, 5:30-8 pm.

Connecticut Audubon Birdcraft Museum Gallery, 314 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-319-1419.

Through Aug 31: “Shadows,” watercolor & pastel paintings by Jo Ann Davidson, works reflect the artist’s interpretation of natural shapes in light & dark using warm & cool colors & the white of the paper.

*(new show) Sept 2-30: “Intimate Connection,” first solo exhibit by lifelong naturalist & nature photographer Laurie Jane Bepler will examine the relationship betw humans & nature; Sept 11, artist’s reception (public invited), 3-5 pm.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-5 pm, Tues & Wed 10 am-8 pm, Thurs 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm. Call 261-0134.

*(new show) Sept 1-Oct 18: “The Body Eclectic,” a collection of mixed media monotypes by Monroe artist Lisa P. Oswald, who uses texture & color to present abstractions of the human figure.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through Sept 11: “Layers,” abstract encaustics by Carol Padberg & inventive mixed media works by Gloria Santoyo Ruenitz.

Flanders Nature Center Welcome Center, Church Hill at Flanders Rd, Woodbury. Hours: Sun (during Aug only) 1-4 pm. Call 203-263-3711.

Through Aug 31: “The Progressive Nature Of Resemblance: Evolutions of Style in The Portraits of Natalie Van Vleck,” portraits by the founder of Flanders Nature Center.

Glebe House Museum & The Gertrude Jekyll Garden, 49 Hollow Rd, Woodbury. Hours: (May-Oct) Wed-Sun 1-4 pm, (Nov) Sat-Sun 1-4 pm. Call 203-263-2855.

*(new show) Aug 27-Oct 9: “The Marshall Family at Home,” special exhibit celebrating 80th anniv of Glebe House Museum will portray members of Marshall family, their slaves & friends as they would have gone about typical day in Sept 1776 of an 18th Century well-educated middle class family (Marshalls moved into Glebe House ca 1771), exhibition will feature mannequins dressed in carefully researched & hand sewn clothing by curators Sandie Tarbox & Hallie Larkin; Aug 28, reenactments, 1-4 pm (regular museum hours), group of 12 costumed reenactors will view the exhibition in full costume.

Haas Library at Western CT State University, Osborne St (midtown campus), Danbury. Call 837-8486.

*(new show) Sept 10-Oct 7: “Excursions – An Exhibition of Recent Works by Herm Freeman, Thomas Hamann, Kim Hanna & Phil Demise Smith,” 25+ original engravings, paintings & mixed media works by well respected artists; Sept 10, opening reception, 7-9 pm.

Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-0518.

Through Aug 31: “Images of The Southwest,” digital graphics, mixed media, watercolor & stained glass, inspired by Hopi & other Pueblo cultures, by Bernard T. Matus, Nancy R. Marus, Naomi Leavitt & Anna Lukasavage.

Through Sept 30: “Inuit Artists – Inuit Hunters: Arctic Stories in Ivory, Bone and Stone.”

Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Thurs-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 860-927-3989.

Through Sept 5: “President’s Show & Sale,” representational work by more than 100 member & non-member artists in oil, watercolor, pastel, graphics & sculpture; Aug 27, Annual Paint-Out & Auction, preview 3-4 pm, auction starts 4 pm, paintings by members & non-members done en plein aire earlier in the day will be auctioned, proceeds to benefit KAA.

Miller Studio & Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Mon-Tues by chance or appt. Call 203-263-3939.

Through Aug 30: “Seeing Through: A Retrospective Exhibition,” celebration of works by Judith Hinton Andrew.

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

*(new show) Aug 20-Oct 3: “Patty Mullins Paintings,” recent oils by Sharon resident; Aug 20, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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. Call 860-229-0257.

Through Sept 4: “New/Now: Gene Wilder,” first museum showing of watercolor portraits by Mr Wilder, who is better known for his work on the big screen.

Through Sept 18: “Innocence,” childhood innocence & its loss as expressed in American painting, sculpture, prints & photos of 19th, 20th & 21st centuries, from babies & children to young teens at work & play, incl pcs by Cassatt, Mann, Sturgess, Homer, Levitt, Hine, et al.

Through Sept 25: “For Spacious Skies: Hudson River School Paintings from the Henry & Sharon Martin Collection.”

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery, 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Through Sept 11: “Tercentennial Celebration: En Plein Air Exhibit of Newtown and Sandy Hook,” brand-new works done en plein aire in Newtown & Sandy Hook by 16 award-winning CT-based artists incl gallery-represented artists, also incl Newtown artists Pat Barkman, Betty Christensen, Ron DeFelice, Ruth Newquist, et al.

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

*(new show) Sept 1-30: “Chairs by Kristine Tino,” paintings by Ms Tino that depict chairs & shadows in series that incorporates the bold use of complementary colors in plance of actual colors of chairs & their shadows.

Western CT State University’s Warner Hall, Fifth Ave (off White St, on midtown campus), Danbury. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-4 pm. Call 837-8486.

*(new show) Sept 10-Sept 23: “Freedom: A History of US,” historical documents & early American artifacts incl a draft of US Constitution, rare printing of Declaration of Independence, photos, daguerreotypes, speech transcripts, etc, many not available to public prior to inclusion in exhibit being presented in collaboration w/ Smithsonian Institution Affiliations Program; Sept 14, ”The Ten Commandments in the Public Sphere,” 7 pm, in WCSU’s Alumni Hall, on White St, free discussion by Dr Paul Finkelman will be followed by Q&A moderated by Todd Brewster.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-2800.

*(new show) Aug 31-Dec 31: “The Worlds of Francis Wheatley,” highlights from YCBA’s rich holdings of Wheatley’s work in all genre & media incl oils, watercolors, drawings & prints.

 

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

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

Opening for 2005-06 season for bass voice, rehearsals begin after Labor Day & are Tues eves 7:30-9:30 pm, director is Tina Johns Heidrich, performances scheduled for Nov, March & May, also performance planned in Nov at Carnegie Hall under direction of John Rutter, visit CMChorale for details, contact Ms Heidrich for audition appt.

Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury. Call 748-1716.  Sept 7: Auditions for 80-pc Danbury Community Orchestra, openings for area teens & adults who play orchestral instrument (vacancies in all string sections, certain wind sections & percussion), Stephen Michael Smith is director, rehearsals Wed eves, group performs symphonic & other orchestral music in 2 concerts/season, call for details & appt.

Sept 16-17: Auditions for 38th annual Nutcracker Ballet, at Danbury High School, Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, artistic director & director/choreographer Arthur Fredeirc & co-director/choreographer Lisa Denton will hold open auditions to fill roles for children (age 7 & older), teens & adults, most roles are for dancers w/ formal training, very few roles for non-dancers, performances will be Dec 9-11, contact music center for audition brochure & schedule.

Oct 3: Postmark deadline for Student Concerto Competition, open to student musicians through senior year in high school & living in greater Danbury area, open to performers of all orchestral instruments, also piano & voice, $25 & recording representing student’s skill level must accompany application, auditions for 10 finalists will take place in Nov, winner will have solo performance w/ Danbury Symphony Orchestra on Feb 5, call for details.

*Danbury Concert Chorus, adult singers directed by Richard Price, will perform Nov 13, rehearsals are Tues eves, call for info on joining.

*Danbury Community Orchestra, amateur adult & teen performers direct by Stephen Michael Smith, rehearses Wed eves, will perform “B is for…,” featuring works of Beethoven, Bizet, Borodin & Bartok, on Dec 4, call for details on joining.

*Danbury Preparatory String Orchestra, intermediate level string students on violin, viola, cello & bass, under director Glen Levetkin, rehearses Thurs eves, call for details.

*Danbury Symphony Orchestra has openings in group of experienced orchestral performers, call for audition, rehearsals are Monday eves, first concert of season will be Nov 6.

Kent Art Association, at The Gallery at KAA, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, New Milford. Call 860-927-3989.

Sept 9-10: Receiving for KAA Fall Art Show & Sale, Fri 1-4 pm, Sat 10 am-1 pm, juried show seeking entries of oils, watercolors, pastels, graphics & sculpture, no collage or computer art accepted, all work must be representational, awards reception will be Sept 17, show will run Sept 16-Oct 16, visit KentArt.org or call gallery (phone # above) for additional info.

Newtown Choral Society, Newtown. Call 426-3769.

Openings in all sections for new season, preparing for Dec performance of Britten’s Ceremony of Carols & other works, director Mary Andreotta seeking singers w/ love of singing & willingness to learn, weekly rehearsals Wed pm, call for details.

Wilton Playshop, 15 Lovers Lane, Wilton. Call 203-378-2487.

Aug 28-29: Auditions for Stephen Sondheim’s Putting It Together, Sun 7 pm, Mon 7:30 pm, for first production of theater’s 69th season director George Vollano seeks 3 men & 2 women for “mature” couple, “young” couple & male “observer” (narrator, so specific age), production will open Nov 4, visit WiltonPlayshop.org for general info before contacting casting chairman Rich Mancini at phone # above w/ questions concerning auditions.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Aug 26: The Wood’s Tea Company at Brookfield Municipal Center, 100 Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 7 pm, free performance by Vermont-based band that offers mixture of lively folk, fiery Celtic tunes, sea chanteys & New England humor; 775-7310.

Aug 26: One Heart Festival at Ives Concert Park, westside campus of Western CT State Univ, off Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, gates open 5:30 pm, music begins 7:30, tickets $26 lawn, $45 & $58 reserved seating, $13 ages 3-12, discounts available for groups of 10 or more, performances by MercyMe, Salvador & Tammy Trent; 837-9226.

Aug 27: The Wood’s Tea Company at New Milford Town Green, Main St, New Milford, 7:30 pm, free performance by Vermont-based band that offers mixture of lively folk, fiery Celtic tunes, sea chanteys & New England humor, picnics welcome, continues 2005 Concerts on The Green series; 860-354-6768, 860-355-2873.

Aug 28: Dixieland Jazz Party 3 at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 4 pm, free concert featuring Randy Sandke & John Allred, w/ special guests Mark Shane, Murray Wall & Tom Melito, will offer jazz for all ages, audience invited to post-performance reception w/ musicians, BYO blankets & chairs; 775-6241 x104.

Aug 29: CCS Summer Sing-In, Trinity Episcopal Church, 30 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, registration 7 pm, singing begins at 7:30, $7 covers use of music & light refreshments, all singers invited for evening of fun singing with CT Choral Society; 800-555-5250.

Aug 30: Music from The Heart at Pomperaug Woods, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, free concert of popular American standards of 1920s-70s will continue summer series presented at gazebo within senior community, moves into Pomperaug Woods’ Wilson Hall if rain, BYO chairs/seating; 262-6555.

Sept 3: Easton Banjo Society at New Milford Green, Main St, New Milford, 7:30 pm, free performance continues 2005 Concerts on The Green series, picnics welcome; 860-354-6768, 860-355-2873.

Sept 6: Willie Nininger & John Kuhner at Pomperaug Woods, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, free concert will conclude summer series presented at gazebo within senior community, moves into Pomperaug Woods’ Wilson Hall if rain, BYO chairs/seating; 262-6555.

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

ZooGrass Concert Series, 2 pm, incl w/ zoo adm ($8 adults, $6 seniors & ages 3-11, free ages 2 & under & zoo members): Aug 28, Ash Creek String Band, roots music incl Appalachian banjo tunes, Celtic ballads & Irish fiddle tunes.

Ives Concert Park, WCSU westside campus, University Blvd, Danbury. Call 837-9226 (or TicketMaster, 744-8100).

Summer Concert Series, shows 7:30 unless noted, all shows rain or shine, children’s lawn tickets $12 (ages 2 & under free/lawn), all tickets $3 higher day of show: Aug 26, One Heart Festival feat Tammy Trent, MercyMe & Salvador, 7:30 pm, tickets $26-$58; Sept 1, Hall & Oates, special guest Tears For Fears, 7:30 pm, tickets $28-$88.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Aug 26, Joan Armatrading, tickets $65 & $70, Raúl Midón opening.

Sherman Chamber Ensemble. Call 860-355-6155.

Fri performances @St Andrew’s Church, North Main St, Kent; Sat performances @Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse, Rte 37 at Leach Hollow Rd, Sherman, tickets $20 adults, $15 students & seniors ($10 lawn seats available for Sat performances, free lawn seating for age 12 & under): Sept 2-3, Labor Day Season Finalé will feature flutist Susan Rotholz, violinists Jill Levy & Paul Woodiel, violist Sarah Adams & cellists Eliot Bailen & Peter Sanders in works of Salomon (arrangement for flute & strings of Haydn’s Symphony No 104), Brahms (Sextet #2 in G Major, Op 36) & Peter Schiekele (string sextet).

Films _________________

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

Aug 26-30: The Aristocrats (NR), daily 6, 7:45 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 4:15 pm, Sat-Sun 12:45, 2:30 & 4:15 pm; Broken Flowers (R), daily 7:20-9:45 pm, mat daily 5:20 pm, also Sat-Sun 12:20 & 2:40 pm; Crash (R), daily 9:25 pm, mat daily 5:05 pm, also Sat-Sun 12:50 pm; March of The Penguins (G), daily 7:30 & 9:15 pm, mat daily 5:45 pm, also Fri 4 pm, Sat 11 am (special benefit for Danbury Animal Welfare Society), Sat-Sun 12:30, 2:15 & 4 pm; Must Love Dogs (PG), daily 7:10 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2:55 pm.

 Aug 31-Sept 1: The Aristocrats (NR), daily 6, 7:45 & 9:35 pm, mat Wed 12:45, 2:30 & 4:15 pm; Broken Flowers (R), daily 7:20 & 9:45 pm, mat daily 5 pm, also Wed 12:20 & 2:40 pm; The Constant Gardener (R), daily 6:45 & 9:25 pm, mat Wed 1 & 3:50 pm; March of The Penguins (G), daily 7:30 & 9:15 pm, mat daily 5:45 pm, also Wed 12:30, 2:15 & 4 pm.

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

Aug 26-Sept 1: Bad News Bears (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Fri-Mon 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St, New Haven. Call 203-432-8842.

Spotlight on Michael Caine Series, free screenings, 2 pm: Aug 27, The Eagle Has Landed (PG).

For Kids & Families _________

Aug 27: Pied Piper School Day of Fun, 1 Sunset Hill Rd, Brookfield, 1-3 pm, $10/family (incl 10 raffle tickets), carnival rides, games, prizes, ice cream, raffle & more, proceeds to benefit St Jude Children’s Research Hospital; 775-2955.

Aug 28: Fashion Show for Make-A-Wish Foundation, at Sandy Hook Farmer’s Market, 1 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook, 12-2 pm, sugg donation $5, fashion show organized by local teens will feature kids’ & teens’ clothing provided by local merchants, proceeds will benefit Make-A-Wish.

Sept 3: Family Art Adventures, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 12-5 pm, free, families invited to enjoy drop-in activities during first Sat of each month, explore galleries through docent-led tours & then visit Education Center for hands-on activities based on topics, methods & materials addressed in current exhibitions; 203-438-4519.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Aug 27, teens book discussion, 10:30-11:30 am, concerning Goddess of Yesterday by Caroline Cooney.

Sherman Chamber Ensemble, at Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse, Sherman. Call 860-355-5930.

SCE’s Children & Family Concert Series, performances 2 pm, free educational & entertaining programs that introduce young people to the delight of listening to & making live music: Sept 3, 7th Annual SCE Bluegrass Jamboree, free program featuring virtuoso fiddler Paul Woodiel & The Sherman Bluegrass All-Stars will incl sing-along fun for children & adults of all ages, program repeats Sept 4 in Kent; Sept 4, 7th Annual SCE Bluegrass Jamboree, 1 pm, at St Andrew’s Church, Main St/Rte 7, Kent, free (repeat of Sept 3 program, see listing for details).

Miscellaneous ___________

Aug 27: Harmony Grange #92 Annual Agricultural Fair, at grange, corner Rte 110 at 111, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, small animals, handmade items, vegetable & flower, jelly & jam competitions, Grandma’s Attic, refreshments.

Aug 27: Poetry Workshop with Yuriya Kumagai, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 11:30 am-12:30 pm, free workshop open to ages 10 & up will have Japan’s celebrated poet leading group in writing haiku poetry & then creating origami birds (Ms Kumagai will also be doing free reading on Aug 28, see separate listing for details); 734-2513.

Aug 28: Annual Ukranian Festival, Paproski Christmas Tree Farm, 5 Hattertown Rd, Newtown, begins 11 am, sm donation requested, celebration will open w/ Divine Liturgy celebrated by Rev Stepan Yanowski (Holy Protection of Blessed Virgin Mary Ukrainian Catholic Church, Bridgeport) & church choir, then event continues during afternoon w/ refreshments, program of Ukrainian songs, dances & skits, exhibit of Ukrainian arts & crafts, hayrides, pony rides, volleyball & horseshoe games, more; 426-4017, 203-367-5054.

Aug 28: Beatrix Farrand Garden Open, Promisek at Three Rivers Farm, 694 Skyline Rd, Bridgewater, 10 am-4 pm, suggested donation $5, public invited to visit privately-owned historic garden created by Ms Farrand, a founding member of American Society of Landscape Architects, will be open to public last Sun of each month until Sept; 860-354-1788.

Aug 28: 73rd Annual Cannon Grange Agricultural Fair, Grange Hall grounds, 25 Canaan Rd, Wilton, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $2 adults, free ages 12 & under, free parking at Cannondale RR station, judged exhibits & competitions incl baked goods, fruits & vegetables, flowers, crafts, photography, poultry & more, also civic & educational exhibits, concessions/refreshments, working oxen show, live music & entertainment continues tradition of only agricultural fair presented in lower Fairfield County; 203-846-1840.

Aug 28: Poetry reading by Yuriya Kumagai at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 3 pm, free reading by Japan’s celebrated bilingual poet (optional workshop offered Aug 27, see separate listing for details); 734-2513.

Aug 28: “Is Spiritual Evolution Really A Priority in Life?” at Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free presentation by WYC co-founder & executive director Janaki Pierson will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & informal tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Sept 1: After Dinner Bird Walk at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 7 pm, free walk conducted during cool of the evening by volunteer Jay Connolly will have participants searching for summer nesting birds, program about an hour long, BYO binoculars & field guides if poss; 734-2513.

Sept 1: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing at WCSU Observatory & Planetarium, Lake Ave Extension (westside campus), Danbury, free, planetarium show starts at 7:30 pm, then viewings of Jupiter, Venus & summer Milky Way will run from 8:30-10:30 pm; 837-8672.

Sept 2: CT ConTacts Labor Day Weekend Bash at Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), “dress to impress” (no jeans); 203-468-1144.

Sept 2-5: 45th Annual Mark Twain Library Book Fair, at Redding Community Center, Rte 107, Redding, Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-6 pm, Mon 9 am-noon, free adm & parking, book prices double on Fri, remainders free on Mon, 50,000+ donted used & new books incl Collector’s Room, Children’s/Young Adults/Parenting area, new sets area & huge selection general books, also silent auction (Sept 2-4); 203-938-2545.

Sept 3: 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); 426-0617.

Sept 3-4: Annual Student & Faculty Pottery Sale, Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, Sat 10 am-2 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, functional ceramic treasures & unique sculptural pcs in all price ranges, also open house on Sun (1-4 pm, full campus will be open, ongoing demos & info available); 775-4526.

Sept 3-7: 30th Annual Friends of Booth Library Labor Day Weekend Book Sale, at Fairfield Hill campus, Wasserman Way, Newtown, 9 am-5 pm daily, adm (Sat only, 9-11 am, $10, numbers will be handed out beginning at 7 am), free adm remainder of sale, 100,000+ books clearly-marked 75 categories, building is handicapped accessible, refreshments, books half-price on Mon, $5/bag on Tues, remainders free on Wed, proceeds benefit Booth Library; 426-4533.

Sept 4: Brookfield Craft Center Open House, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, 1-4 pm, full campus will be open w/ dozens of faculty members demonstrating craft processes incl woodturning, weaving, pottery, blacksmithing, etc, info available on upcoming classes (student & faculty pottery sale will also be occurring, see sep Sept 3-4 listing for details); 775-4526.

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

Programs $5 unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: Aug 27, “Wonders of The Milky Way,” call for start time (*also: rain or clouds cancel event), join Patrick Comins & members of Astronomical Society of New Haven to explore summer night sky incl Jupiter & its 4 moons, the Milky War & more through power telescopes from dark viewing location.

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

Programs free unless noted: Sept 6, book discussion, 1 pm, program will cover Fred Ikle’s Every War Must End.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897 or 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Sept 3, season opening hike at Ward Pound Ridge Reservoir, Cross River, N.Y. (note – entrance fee $8/car; leader is Dave Wesley, 203-438-1459); Sept 10, Bish Bash Falls, Copake, N.Y., day-long hike, difficult but beautiful (leader Ildiko Gramling, 203-263-0086).

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.

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 $20/year.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury, 9:30 pm, first act, featured act & headliners as follows, tickets $15 unless noted: Aug 27, Richie Byrne & Mike Eagan co-headlining, opener TBA.

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.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: Aug 26, Angel Prayer & Healing Circle w/ Barbara Van Kirk, 7:30-9:30 pm, all welcome; Aug 28, “Heaven and The Afterlife,” 4-6 pm, $20, program w/ Karin Nemri will offer description of Heaven as based on Ms Nemri’s own near-death experience & communications w/ “spiritual entities,” also demo of energy healing method Aiikii.

Workshops at Fairfield County Agricultural Center (white building in rear), 67-69 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel: Aug 27, “Sugar Blues” discussion group, 7 pm, learn about the affects of sugar & why you crave it, presented by Cinda Gadow, certified holistic health counselor.

Theatre ______________

Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

The Sunshine Boys, through Sept 18, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 3 pm, tickets $38.50; no shows Labor Day weekend.

Town Players of Newtown, at The Little Theater, theater is on Orchard Hill Rd (mailing address is PO Box 211), Newtown. Call 270-9144.

Fuddy Meers, Sept 2-24, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 18 only) 2 pm, tickets $15 evening shows, $12 mat.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items listed first, with additional events listed by their start time. At the time of printing, the information here is accurate as presented; a call ahead is always a good idea to be safe.

 

DEADLINE INFORMATION

Press releases for the Enjoy calendar of events or the Enjoy section must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to the attention of Shannon Hicks, 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, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.