Antiques Shows______

Saturdays: Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, Rte 6 near Rte 64, Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week, event runs weekly through mid-Dec; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec 19): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1.

Sept 12: Phonograph-Music Box-Record Show, The Inn at Ethan Allen, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 7 am-3 pm; 330-325-7866.

Sept 19: 6th Annual Greenwich Antiquarian Book Fair, Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, 11 am-5 pm, adm $5; 413-528-2327.

Sept 19: Wilton DAR Antiques Show, Wilton High School Field House, Rte 7, Wilton, 10 am-5 pm (early buying 9 am, $20), adm $9, dealers from CT, New England, GA, IL, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH & PA, also silent auction; 203-762-3525.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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.

*(new show) Sept 10-Oct 31: “Awakening Spirit,” new works by Beverly Branch, Kevin Conklin & Marcia Taylor; Sept 10, opening reception, 6-9 pm.

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 — *(new show) Through Sept 24: “Out Of Doors,” new paintings by artist & teacher Randi Rote; Sept 12, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

On library’s main floor — *(new show) Sept 11-Oct 14: “A Song in My Heart,” art quilts by members of The Scrapbag Quilt Artists Guild, each inspired by music (titles of songs, verses, imagery of lyrics, etc).

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

Through Oct 10: “50<>50: The Craft Continuum,” works by 59 of the country’s leading master craft artists, all of whom have studied, taught and/or exhibited at BCC over past 50 years, plus works by emerging artists associated with BCC, to celebrate center’s 50th anniv w/ look at past, present & future.

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 Sept 30: “A Quilter’s Odyssey,” quilts, dolls & wearable art from the collection of award-winning local quilter Patricia Jennings; Sept 11, artist’s reception, 1-5 pm, artist will be on hand to meet visitors & answer questions about her works; Sept 29, artist’s lecture, 7:30 pm, Mrs Jennings will conduct lecture on her work.

Creative Arts Workshop, 70 Audubon St, New Haven. Hours: Mon-Fri, 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat (beginning Sept 25) 9 am-noon. Call 203-562-4927.

*(new show) Sept 10-Oct 15: “Tactile Tentions: Twelve Fiber Artists Engage,” curators Myra Serrins & Jennifer Davies have brought together works by 12 North American fiber artists who work in diverse styles & media,from metal & horsehair to plastic netting & traditional fibers.

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.

Gunn Memorial Library Stairway Gallery, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green. Hours: Mon & Fri 9:30 am-5 pm, Tues & Thurs 9:30 am-8 pm, Sat 9:30 am-3 pm. Call 860-868-7756.

Through Sept 25: murals, trompe l’oeil, classic & contemporary faux finishes & more by Matt Wood.

Handcrafter’s Haven, 40 Main St North/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-263-2111.

Through Sept 30, doll clothes & accessories designed by Monica Weber (Miniatures by Monica).

Miller Studio & Gallery/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) Sept 12-Nov 15: “Thomas C. Adkins: Recent Paintings,” new works by Mr Adkins sharing his “visual journey into the hills of New England”; Sept 19, artist’s reception (public invited), 2-4:30 pm.

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

Through Sept 12: “Portraits & Figures,” annual exhibit of works by members of RGA’s life drawing & painting groups.

Sadelier, 69 West Wooster St, Danbury. Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sat 11 am-5 pm, Fri 11 am-6 pm, Mon by appt. Call 743-4830.

*(new show) Sept 11-Nov 20: intricately sculpted ceramic pcs by Mary Lou Alberetti; Sept 11, artist’s reception, 3-6 pm.

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

*(new show) Sept 10-Nov 14: “Political Persuasions: Left, Right & Center,” works in myriad media by guild artists invited to express their personal opinions on the state of the country, politics & the upcoming election; Sept 10, opening reception, 7-9 pm.

*(new show) Sept 10-Nov 14: “Paper, Scissors, Rock,” painted aluminum sculpture & mixed media paper collages by Judith Steinberg, who describes the former as “three-dimensional drawings or drawings in space”; Sept 10, opening reception, 7-9 pm.

*(new show) Sept 10-Nov 14: “The Diet Show,” paintings & monotypes by Natasha Karpinshaia, whose work is distinguished by brilliant colors, lush surfaces & sense of humor as she explores “What does a diet or dieting represent? Is it health self-awareness, a necessity, an obsession or our new religion?”; Sept 10, opening reception, 7-9 pm.

*(new show) Sept 10-Nov 14: “Director’s Choice: Barbara Wilk – Visions,” monoprints, etchings & lithographs by Ms Wilk inspired by nature in all its forms; Sept 10, opening reception, 7-9 pm.

*(new show) Sept 10-Nov 14: Director’s Choice: Barry Guthertz – Close Encounters of Another Kind,” black & white photos by Mr Gutherz that aim to capture “the exquisite & mysterious beauty beneath the sea, where spectacular structures, patterns & living creatures create memorable & hypnotic compositions”; Sept 10, opening reception, 7-9 pm.

White Silo Farm Winery & Gallery, 32 Rte 37, Sherman. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-355-0271.

Through Sept 12: new works by Phyllis Boger (oils & acrylics, also batiked paintings & scarves), Diane Mesagno (garden sculpture & “true-to-nature” paintings), Adele Moros (multi-media paintings & hand-painted furniture) & Paula Renee (multi-media artist incl paper constructions, loom-woven paintings & tapestries).

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Candlewood League of Artists, at New Fairfield Senior Center, Heritage Plaza, Rte 39, New Fairfield. Call 746-3077.

Sept 23: Receiving for CLA’s Autumn Art Show & Sale, 3-7 pm, show will be on view Sept 25-26, contact Florence Froeder at above phone # for prospectus & details.

Connecticut Choral Society, at South Britain Congregational Church Parish House, Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd, South Britain. Call 800-555-5250.

Sept 13: Rehearsals begin for new season, weekly 7:15-9:45 pm, director John Robert Liepold invites interested choral singers to join CCS for 2004-05 season, first performance is Dec 12 in Danbury, call for appt, visit www.CTChoralSociety.org for full details.

Danbury Music Centre, at Danbury High School, Rte 139, Danbury. Call 748-1716.

Sept 17-18: Open auditions for DMC’s 37th Annual Nutcracker Ballet, call for audition brochure & schedule, all roles will be filled by open audition, performance dates are Dec 10-12 at high school, Arthur Frederic is returning as artistic director & director/choreographer, Lisa Denton is returning as co-director/choreographer.

Diaz Memorial Video Festival, c/o Charter Communications, 11 Commerce Rd, Newtown. Call 860-350-4630, 860-354-8930.

Nov 19 (deadline extended): Videos due for 2nd annual festival, awards in 2 age groups (students/ages 14-18 & adult), contact Charter for full competition details, winners will be announced in Dec, non-winning entries from last year may be resubmitted.

Edgerton Performing Arts Center at Sacred Heart University, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Call 203-371-7909.

Sept 12-13: Auditions for Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, at 7:30 pm, director E. Kyle Minor is looking to cast non-traditionally, actor/actress playing Feste must sing & (preferably) play a portable instrument, be prepared to read from (experience w/ Shakespeare important but not required), show will run weekends Oct 28-Nov 6 & incl one Sun mat & one Wed (student) mat.

Newtown Choral Society, rehearsals at Newtown Middle School, Queen St, Newtown. Call 426-3769.

Sept 15: Choral Society Open Sing, 7 pm, interested singers invited to join Newtown Choral Society for first rehearsal of the season, director Mary Andreotta has openings in all voices, no auditions – singers just need love of singing & willingness to learn, rehearsals are weekly, first performance will be in Dec 11, contact Laura Lerman (phone # above) for info or if unable to make first rehearsal.

Ridgefield Theatre Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850.

Sept 13 & 19: Open auditions for Pageant, a musical, Mon 7:30-9:30 pm, Sun 6-8:30 pm, director Joel Paley seeks 7 men (ages 20s-30s) to portray 7 very characterized female beauty contestants & 1 male (ages 30s-40s to play the master of ceremonies), for all characters think “seriously funny … in style of Monty Python & Kids in the Hall” – not campy, over-the-top caricatures, callbacks Sept 21, performances Fri-Sat Nov 19-Dec 18 plus Sun mats Nov 28 & Dec 5, visit www.TheaterBarn.org/auditions for full details.

School of Performing Arts, 55 West St, New Milford. Call 860-210-1444.

ASAP: Seeking boy soprano to sing title role of Amahl and The Night Visitors as part of school’s holiday production, contact SOPA for audition appt, production to be mid-Dec in Washington (CT), boy should look age 11-14, ; also seeking addt’l chorus members & dancers.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Sept 11: Danbury High School Marching Hatter Band’s 21st Annual Jamboree, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 139, Danbury, 5-10 pm (ending time depends on bands’ performances), $7 adults, $5 students & seniors, DHS Marching Hatter Band will host 12 bands & color guards incl Newtown, Bethel, New Milford, Trumbull & out of state groups, refreshments available; 797-4839.

Sept 11: Third Annual Holy Trinity Catholic Church Hoe Down, at the church, Rte 37 at 39, Sherman Center, begins 6 pm, adm $15 adults, $8 children, free ages 6 & under, full chicken dinner (BYOB), dancing to music by The Country Travelers, games for all ages, western wear encouraged; 860-354-9269.

Sept 12: “Northern Lights: Songs from Finland, Norway, Russia & Sweden,” The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 2:30 pm, free performance by Swedish soprano Dominique Hellsten & Russian pianist Maxim Vladimiroff, light refreshments, RSVP requested; 426-8118.

Sept 14: “Love & Knishes: Autumn Memories,” Walzer Family Jewish Community Center, 444 Main St North, Southbury, noon, sugg donation $8 adults, $5.50 seniors, lunch by Chef Nancy Stokes at noon, then program at 1 w/ diners invited to stories & reminiscences of school, work, holidays, growing up & anything else thought about as seasons change, reservations ASAP; 267-3177 x105.

Sept 18: Annual Ashlar Classic Car Show & Sock Hop, Ashlar of Newtown/Lockwood Lodge, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, 11 am-2 pm, free adm, cars on view by members of The Classic Nights Car Club, music provided by DJ Mark Edwards, lunch available (for small fee); 426-5847.

Sept 18: “A Tribute to Washington – With Sounds of Music, Dance and Story,” Shepaug Valley High School, School St, Washington, 7:30 pm, tickets $10, historical facts & characters from town’s history will continue celebration of Washington’s 250th anniv; 860-868-1615.

Sept 19: Colonial 18th Century-era Dance, First Congregational Church, 46 Main St (corner Main & Chestnut), Bethel, 2-4 pm, tickets $10 (adv reservations requested by Sept 13), live music by Patricia Campbell & The Reel Thing, costumes optional, refreshments will be served; 743-5893.

Danbury Concert Assn, WCSU/Ives Concert Hall, Fifth Ave at White St, Danbury. Call 748-0522.

Subscription $32 (good for all season), $12 single ticket, students age 18 & under free, post-performance receptions w/ performers: Sept 19, pianist Andrew Armstrong, season-opening program will incl works of Bartok, Chopin, Debussy, Liszt, Rachmaninov & Schubert.

Hartford Symphony Orchestra, The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford. Call 860-246-6807.

Sept 18-19, The Lord of The Rings Symphony: Six Movements for Orchestra and Chorus, Sat 8 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $25-$65, New England premiere of Howard Shore’s massive work will open 2004-05 season w/ 6 movements drawn from 12 hours of music composed for Lord of the Rings trilogy, HSO will be joined by 120-member chorus, a children’s chorus & guest soloists.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Hours: daily 11 am-5 pm. Call 426-1533.

“Garden Jazz,” Sun through Oct 10, 1-4 pm rain or shine, $10 (reservations a must), enjoy intimate jazz performance & wine tastings in garden overlooking vineyards, non-alcoholic drinks also available.

Merryall Center for the Arts, Chapel Hill Rd (off Merryall Rd), New Milford. Call 860-354-7264.

Performances 8:30 pm (unless noted), tickets $15, season tickets available: Sept 11, Adam Battelstein, Pilobolus dancer & freelance performer will offer unique dance interpretations & stories; Sept 18, The Volkes-Walker Duo, soprano Sara Vokes & percussionst James Walker perform art songs of 18th C to present.

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

Concerts 8 pm unless noted: Sept 11, Broadway Kids, 4 pm, tickets $22.50 & $28.50, the best of Broadway sung by some of the most talented kids straight from the Great White Way, post-performance reception w/ singers; Sept 17, pianist Rui Shi, tickets $25-$45 (also $100 Benefactor available), fundraiser for Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra; Sept 18, Paul Williams, $75 & $85, evening of favorites by Grammy, Golden Globe & Academy Award winner.

Films _________________

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

Sept 10-16: Bright Young Things (R), daily 7:10 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4 pm; De-Lovely (PG-13), Fri-Mon, Wed 6:50 & 9:15 pm, Tues 6:50 only, mat Fri 4:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 & 4:10 pm; Garden State (R), daily 7:25 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 5:10, Sat-Sun, Mon 12:50, 3 & 5:10 pm; Vanity Fair (PG-13), daily 6:40 & 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm.

Sept 14: Unconstitutional (NR), 7 pm.

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

Sept 10-18: Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban (PG), daily 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Thurs noon & 3:30 pm.

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

Through Oct 7: Dolphins, daily 1 & 3 pm, also Fri-Sat 7 pm as double feature w/ Legend of Loch Lomond.

Through Oct 7: Legend of Loch Lomond, Fri-Sat 7 pm as part of double feature w/ Dolphins.

Through Oct 7: The Living Sea, Mon-Fri 12 & 2 pm, Sat-Sun 12, 2 & 4 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Sept 18: “Creativity Safari” at Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 10 am-12:30 pm, $5 adults, free ages 12 & under (pre-registration suggested), join instructor Margaret DeMarino in exploration of diff painting styles in museum’s galleries through music, cartooning & art, create “symphonies,” stories, improv comedies & scripted scene work, program repeats Oct 16, Nov 13 & Dec 4; 203-753-0381 x10.

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

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Sept 18-19, “A Mysterious Afternoon at The Library,” 3 pm each day, readers in grades 6 & up invited to one-day program to solve a “mystery” presented by The YA Mystery Players, pre-registration requested.

Miscellaneous ___________

Sept 10: 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, WCSU Quadrangle, 181 White St, Danbury, noon, solemn ceremony of remembrance for victims of 9/11 will incl bagpiper Dr David Machell, narrator Dr Harold Schramm, WCSU Police Dept Color Guard & guest narrator WCSU President Dr James W. Schmotter; 837-8486, 837-8696.

Sept 11: Danbury High School Marching Hatter Band’s 21st Annual Jamboree, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 139, Danbury, 5-10 pm (ending time depends on bands’ performances), $7 adults, $5 students & seniors, DHS Marching Hatter Band will host 12 bands & color guards incl Newtown, Bethel, New Milford, Trumbull & out of state groups, refreshments available; 797-4839.

Sept 11: Alliance Française of Northwestern CT Cafe-Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, anyone interested in practicing their reading, pronunciation & conversation skills (or just listen in) in French invited to join conversation, topic selected by session leader, BYO beverages/snacks; 203-266-5588.

Sept 11: WUMC Fall Festival of Quilts, Woodbury United Methodist Church, corner Main & Church streets, Woodbury, 11 am-4 pm, adm $5, 150 quilts, also appraisals, vendors, silent auction, door prizes, boutique table, baked goods, lunch & other refreshments, proceeds benefit WUMC; 264-7730, 860-945-0897.

Sept 11: 3rd Annual Dog Show at The Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St North, Bethlehem, 1-3 pm, $5 adults, $1 children, fun-filled events for dog owners & spectators, also dog-related arts & crafts; 203-266-7596.

Sept 11: “In Remembrance of 9/11,” The Village at Brookfield Common, 246-A Federal Rd, Brookfield, 2 pm, public invited to free ceremony w/ residents of Brookfield Common singing, playing instruments & reciting poetry & short stories in honor of 9/11.

Sept 11: Newbury Church Turkey Dinner, Newbury Congregational Church, 126 Tower Rd, Brookfield, 5-7 pm, adm $10 adults, $5 ages 12 & under.

Sept 11-12: 54th Annual Danbury Mineralogical Society Gem & Mineral Show, New Milford High School (new location), Rte 7, New Milford, 10 am-5:30 pm, Sun 10 am-5 pm, adm $3.50 adults, $2.50 seniors & students w/ ID, free ages 5 & under & Scouts in uniform, club displays of minerals, fossils, lapidary material & mining memorabilia, also gold panning for children, door prizes, vendors, info about club; 860-354-0296.

Sept 11-12: 18th Annual CityCenter Taste of Greater Danbury, CityCenter Green, Ives St & Patriot Dr, Danbury, Sat 6-10:30 pm, Sun 12-7 pm, food festival offers samplings of food from many area restaurants (prices $5 or less), also (on Sunday) raffles, family activities & vendors, food drive (all weekend) to benefit The Volunteer Center of Western CT, live entertainment (both days), also Danbury Trolley running betw food festival, Danbury Railway Museum & WCSU (“Arts on The Quad” show & sale); 792-1711.

Sept 11-12: Arts on The Quad Celebration, WCSU Quadrangle, White St, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm both days, adm $4 adults, free ages 17 & under, approx 50 juried professional artisans & crafters will showcase paintings, jewelry, photos, sculpture & more, proceeds benefit WCSU scholarship funds, Danbury Trolley will be running betw arts & crafts festival, A Taste of Danbury (in CityCenter area) & Danbury Railway Museum; 792-1711.

Sept 11-12: Apple Festival, St Peter’s Episcopal Church, on the green (Rte 111), Monroe, 10 am-5 pm both days, crafters, Country Kitchen, Cookie Walk, baked goods, mums, children’s games, Apple Central (fresh apples & related treats), raffles; 268-4265.

Sept 12: Celebrity Softball Game: Newtown Hook & Ladder members vs NE Patriots Legends, Fairfield Hills baseball field, Wasserman Way, Newtown, 1 pm, adm by donation, meet favorite legends incl Steve DeOssie, Robby Lippett, Steve Grogan, Max Lans, et al, autographs, refreshments, live play-by-play announcements, proceeds benefit Hook & Ladder.

Sept 12: Informational meeting about upcoming Holocaust Survivors Video Project, The Federation/Jewish Communities of Western CT, 444 Main St North, Southbury, 11:30 am, area Holocaust survivors and children of survivors whose parents live in area invited to learn about upcoming video project that will incl taped interviews; 267-3177.

Sept 13: “A Journey Into The Past: Aboard the Great Ocean Liners of the North Atlantic,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free program by Michael Jedd will cover the history of the great ships as they transported passengers & soldiers across the ocean for almost a century, also display of liner memorabilia, sponsored by Newtown Historical Society; 426-5937.

Sept 13: BookTalk, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free discussion of Dan Brown’s The DaVinci Code led by Ron Perrault; 264-1716, 262-6123.

Sept 14: WCSU Visiting Artist Series: Altoon Sultan, WCSU White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am, free public lecture by the landscape painter Sultan will open university’s 2004-05 visiting artist series; 837-8410.

Sept 14: “Case Studies Using A Holistic Health Medical Model,” WCSU Warner Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, panel discussion 7-8:30 pm (networking will begin at 6:30), $10 adults, $1 senior citizens, panel discussion featuring area holistic health practitioners presenting case studies of their approaches to heart disease, osteoporosis, fatigue, obesity, headaches & digestive disorders, presented by WCSU & Danbury branch of CT Holistic Health Assn (CHHA); 837-8612, 203-753-0868.

Sept 15: Housatonic Valley Paddling Club meeting, CL&P Service Center, Barnabas Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, open meeting, anyone interested in learning about club & its activities is welcome; 203-263-3281.

Sept 15: Candlewood Valley Knitting Guild meeting, Brookfield Community Center, Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 7 pm, new members & anyone interested in knitting is invited to join regular members for yarn, book, pattern & needle swap & sale, also planning meeting for upcoming year; 775-3672.

Sept 16: “Museum Favorites: Curator Ann Smith,” Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 7 pm, $5 donation suggested (pre-registration encouraged), Mattatuck curator Ann Smith will offer views at & discussion of some of her favorites works in the museum’s collection; 203-753-0381 x10.

Sept 18: Annual Ashlar Classic Car Show & Sock Hop, Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, 11 am-2 pm, free adm, cars on view by members of The Classic Nights Car Club, music provided by DJ Mark Edwards, lunch available (for sm fee); 426-5847.

Sept 18: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party at The Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), no jeans; 203-468-1144.

Sept 18: Amber Alert Kids ID Session, Redwood Plaza, 78 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 10 am-4 pm, free opportunity for parents & guardians of children ages 18 & under to receive wallet-sized ID card w/ color digital photo & child’s info, provided by Rotary Club District 7980 & CT State Police Amber Alert Center; 743-9161.

Sept 19: Second Annual Tour of Kitchens, Newtown, 11 am-3 pm, tickets $20/advance, $25/day of (incl booklet & map to homes), walking tour of 7 kitchens in private homes in varying sizes & styles, presented by Newtown Residential Preservation Society; 426-0406, 270-9344, 426-4228.

Sept 19: Newtown Hook & Ladder Touch-A-Truck, at Hook & Ladder’s firehouse, 45 Main St/Rte 25 (behind town hall), Newtown, 12-4 pm, see heavy equipment incl Mack, Caterpillar, John Deere, Peterbuilt & Kenworth cranes, bucket trucks, excavators, backhoes, tractors & more, also raffles & refreshments.

Sept 19: 26th Annual Trumbull Arts Festival, Town Hall Green, 5866 Main St, Trumbull, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, free adm, 70 fine artists & crafters from6 states, Children’s Creative Corner, performances by Roamer, swing group Moxie & songwriter Ethan Chandler, also mime performances by Bruce Pancoast, refreshments available; 452-5065.

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: Sept 12, Bird Banding Demo, dawn-10:30 am, master bander Mark Szantyr will capture migrant & resident birds, fit them w/ lightweight leg bands & then release them; Sept 15, Adult Nature Walk, 9-11 am, leisurely guided walk focusing on center’s rich natural history, current migrating birds, late summer wildflowers & butterflies in their garden.

Ongoing: Through Sept 24, Annual Hawk Watch, Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm, BYO binoculars & meet faculty members at Welcome Kiosk to attend daily counts of migrating raptors.

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

Free public programs: Sept 14, book discussion: Alexander McCall Smith’s The No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency, 7 pm.

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

Programs free unless noted: Sept 11, computer class for beginners, 9 am-noon, free (pre-registration requested), hands-on course covers mouse & keyboard skills, geared to the true beginner; Sept 13, Daytime Book Group (newcomers always welcome), 1 pm, discussion of L.P. Hartley’s The Go-Between; Sept 13, Newtown Historical Society program, 7:30 pm, free presentation by Michael Jedd on “A Journey Into The Past: Aboard the Great Ocean Liners of the North Atlantic,” also small display of ocean liner memorabilia; Sept 14, Non-Fiction Book Talk, 1 pm, discussion of David McCullough’s Truman, all welcome; Sept 16, Booth Library Book Discussion Group, 7:30 pm, discussion of Midnight’s Children by Salmon Rushdie; Sept 16, Flagpole Photographers meeting, 7:30 pm (call 270-1943 or 426-0558 for program details).

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 11, Mianus River Gorge, Bedford, N.Y (leader is Ildiko Gramling, 203-263-0086); Sept 18, Teatown Lake Reservation, Ossining, N.Y. (leader is Sil Gleissner, 947-2189); Sept 25, Airline Bike Trail, East Hartford, hike, bike or roller blade (leader is Ann Kozar, 374-6679).

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.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: Sept 10, 17 & 24, “Touched by Angels” programs, 7:30-9:30, $10 donation, lively discussion on spiritual topics; ALSO at Brookfield Commons – Sept 11, “Spiritually Speaking with Kathanna Knapp,” 4-6 pm, $10, this month’s topic is “Working with Affirmations to Change Your Life.”

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.

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: Sept 8, Ed & Janet Granger-Happ (he is founder & they are co-editors of The Fairfield Review); Sept 15, Claire Zoghb (recipient of artist fellowship from CT Commission on the Arts, first prize winner of Urban Artists Initiative’s Annual Literary Competition 2002 & 2004, graphic artist, book designer & more); Sept 22, Brad Davis.

Theatre ______________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Brookfield Playhouse, Rte 25, Brookfield Center. Call 775-0023.

The Food Chain, through Sept 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 12), tickets $15; note: adult comedy w/ strong language & sexual content (not for children).

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

Idols of The King, through Sept 26 (performances extended), curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $32.50 & $42.50, student, senior & group discounts available.

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

Where’s Charley?, through Sept 25, curtain Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed & Sun 2 pm, Sat 4 pm, tickets $22-$51 (student rush tickets available, call for info).

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

Light Up The Sky, through Sept 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 19 & 25) 2 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & students, cabaret style seating (OK to bring in food & beverages, doors open one hour before show).

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

On Stage II (community theatre): Showstoppers: The Music and Times of Your Life, Sept 10-19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun (Sept 19 only) 7 pm, mat Sun (Sept 12) 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $10 students.

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 39 (behind firehouse), Sherman. Call 860-354-3622.

Woody Guthrie’s American Song, through Sept 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $18 adults, $16 seniors & students; Sept 11, guest musician Larry Deming (fiddle) will be joining My Dad’s Truck for the evening performance; Sept 19, guest musician Larry Deming (fiddle) will be joining My Dad’s Truck for matinee show.

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

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? through Sept 11, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 5) 2 pm, tickets $15 eves, $12 mats.

*******************

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, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.