Aug 25: 30th Annual Original Antiques Fair, Madison, On the Green, Madison, 9:30 am-4:30 pm rain or shine, adm $3.50, 120 exhibitors; 203-245-2130 evenings).

Sept 8: Outdoor Antiques Show & Business Expo, Madison Town Green, Madison, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine early buying 8 am, $10), reg show adm $3.50; 203-245-7394.

Sept 9: Westport Antiques Show & Sale, Colonial Green, 244 Post Rd East, Westport, 10 am-4 pm early buying 9 am, $15; rain date Sept 16), adm $4, 70 dealers; 203-227-9234.

 

550 Gallery, BCM Building, 550 Main St So, Bethlehem. Hours Sat-Sun 1-5 pm, Mon-Fri by appt. Call 203-266-6990.

*new show) Aug 26-Sept 30, “Rogues Rendezvous,” new work by 14 gallery artists ? a/k/a The Rogues ? who have spent the summer creating at various locations around the area, works in oil, pastels, watercolors, pen & ink, pencil, & photography; Aug 26, opening reception, 2-5 pm; Sept 8, “The Rogues’ Road Show,” day-long event offering art, pottery, jewelry & glass for purchase, also pottery & painting demos, hands-on children’s art activities.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Thurs & Sat-Sun 1-5 pm, Fri 12-8 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through Sept 9, “Fourth Annual Emerging Artists Exhibition,” works by 3 award-winners of museum’s invitation for local artists to enter works for juried exhibition to promote artists who have not yet had solo exhibit at established gallery or museum will incl B&W landscape photos by James Duval, abstract anthropomorphic sculpture by Ashley James, bright & highly stylized paitings by Christopher Mir.

Through Sept 9, “Art at the Edge of the Law,” work by artists who flaunt the law for their aesthetic aims but ask questions that get at the heart of moral & social underpinnings of society.

Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: daily 9 am-4 pm. Call 203-394-6565.

Through mid-Sept, “Cargo To Extinction,” World Wildlife Fund’s traveling exhibit on wildlife trade presents animal products ranging from ocelot skins & crocodile handbags to canned whale meat & ivory jewelry, all imported illegally & confiscated by US Fish & Wildlife Service.

Brass Mill Center, Union St immed off I-84 Exit 23), Waterbury. Call 203-755-5003.

Through Aug 26, “Dinosaur Families ? The Story of Egg Mountain,” first-hand look into land before time w/ fossilized dinosaur eggs & moving robotic dinosaurs, suitable for most ages.

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

Through Aug 26, “Twenty-Five Years of Fine Craftsmanship: Brookfield Craft Center Faculty, 1976-2000,” artistry of BCC teachers from past 25 years w/ works by 100+ artists divided between BCC spaces and The Silo Hunt Hill Farm, New Milford) in ceramics, woodworking, forging, jewelry design, weaving, glassblowing, metalsmithing, fiber & folk art.

*new show) Aug 26-Oct 21, “Millennial Metal: The Art of Precious Metal Clay,” juried exhibit presents works by 36 nat’l artists who design jewelry either entirely or substantially made from new art material known as precious metal clay.

Burnham Library, Rte 133, Bridgewater. Hours: Tues 1-5 pm, Wed 9 am-6 pm, Th 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm. Call 354-6937.

Through Sept 30, “Bridgewater Artists: A to Z,” works in various mediums by 30± local artists.

Christopher Clelland Gallery, 7 Fulling La, Kent. Hours: Sat-Sun 12-5 pm, M-F by appt. Call 860-927-1001.

Through Sept 2, gallery’s debut show features photographs & mixed media works of Gabriel Stillwater.

The Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-372-3521.

Through Sept 2, “Toying With Science,” toys that demonstrate or use science principles. Through Sept 2, “Cabinet of Curiosities,” artworks from museum’s permanent collection. Through Sept 28, “Water Colors,” surreal colored images created by underwater camera by Pamela Crimmins. Through Sept 30, 22 quilts from Amistad Friendship Quilt Project.

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.

Through Sept 15, “Sparks In Ink,” drawings by Anju Khanna inspired by ancient art forms of India, significance of works explained by accompanying posters by Mrs Khanna.

Fine Line Art Gallery, Sherman Village, 682 Main St So above Gepetto’s Toys), Woodbury. Hours: Th-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 266-0110.

Through Aug 26, “Some Like It Hot!” paintings by gallery members depicting CT lakes, landscapes & gardens.

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 10:30 am-4:30 pm. Call 270-1199.

Permanent display of works by Dick McEvoy, Ken Evans, et al.

Gunn Memorial Library & Museum, Wykeham Rd at Rte 47, Washington Green. Hours: museum) Thurs-Sun 12-4 pm & by appt, library) Mon & Fri 9:30 am-5 pm, Tues 2-8 pm, Thurs 9:30 am-8 pm, Sat 9:30 am-3 pm. Call 860-868-7586 library), 860-868-7756 museum).

In Stairwell Gallery: Through Sept 1, “Scenes of Tranquility,” painting-like photographs that evoke tranquility & peacefulness by J.Y. Hsu.

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

Through Sept 3, “KAA President’s Show,” 130 representational works in oil, watercolor, pastels, acrylics, graphics & small sculpture by artists of CT, NY, MA & NJ.

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

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

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-2282.

Through Aug 31, oils by Joan Fles incl landscapes, still lifes & portraits.

*new show) Sept 1-30, “Place of Rest,” photographs & poetry by John Ulatowski that inspire & recall the sensation of peace & relaxation.

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 Aug 31, “11th Annual Student Competition & Exhibition,” drawings, paintings, photographs, sculpture, prints, ceramics, mixed media, jewelry & computer graphics in adult & youth Silvermine student categories, juried by Prof Virginia Zic. Through Sept 16, “Silvermine School of Art Faculty Exhibition,” works by members of the school’s faculty in various mediums.

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

Through Sept 2, “Fiona Tan/MATRIX 144,” recent works by filmmaker who interweaves her own footage & text w/ stock footage or images to create new narratives. Through Sept 23, “Picasso: The Artist’s Studio,” paintings by the artist of his studio, which reveal the painter’s irrepressible imagination & capacity for experimentation & self-renewal in Cubism, Realism, Symbolism, Surrealism, using array of subjects, commentaries & allegories. Through Oct 7, “Snap! Photography from the Collections.”

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Washington Depot. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm closed Wed), Sun 2-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through Aug 26, “Different Paths from Common Ground: A Retrospective,” paintings by Gertrude Barrer 1921-1997), who exhibited nationwide & expanded stylistic ideas concerning Indian Space movement, and painting & sculpture by Edward Renouf 1906-1999), whose works were driven by rudimentary forces & multi-culturing.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-6 pm, Tues-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

*new show) Aug 31-Sept 27, works in watercolor & colored pencil by scientist-turned-artist Pat Pranitis; Sept 9, opening/artist’s reception public invited), 11:30 am-1 pm.

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.

Through Sept 2, “Photographs By Snowdon: A Retrospective,” first full retrospective of one of Britain’s leading photographers w/ works from 1950s-1990.

Through Sept 2, “The Line Of Beauty: British Watercolors and Drawings of the 18th Century,” 100+ drawings & watercolors selected from YCBA’s permanent collection.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Masterpiece Tours of Permanent Collection every Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through Nov 4, “A Gallery of Poems,” 22 works of art in various mediums selected as inspiration for 22 Yale-trained poets, coupled with their resulting poetry; Sept 6, readings by participating poets David Slavitt, Rika Lesser & Sylvia Plimack Mangold, 3 pm.

Through Sept 2, “Ancients and Moderns: Tradition and Transformations in the Arts of Asia II,” early works, which were modern in their time, along w/ 20th C art by Asian artists.

 

Connecticut Master Chorale, South Britain Parish House, Rte 172, South Britain. Call 775-2602.

Music director & conductor Tina Johns Heidrich is scheduling auditions for 2001-02 season, will incl performances of “A Holiday Prelude Concert” in Nov, Rutter’s Requiem & Sullivan’s Festival Te Deum in March, & “The Power of Bethlehem” in May, auditions by appt only, openings in alto & bass sections, group rehearses weekly at parish house.

Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1634.

Aug 28: Open auditions for Children’s Company Young Audience Season, need adult men & women who sing, young men & women ages 13-20) who sing & move well, also boys age 12 no roles for girls under 13 this season), openings for Beauty and The Beast, Aladdin, The Ugly Duckling, Creature Double Feature & The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus, prepare 16 bars uptempo & ballad, bring sheet music if poss, also bring photo/resume, all positions paid.

Good News Gospel Choir, Norfield Congregational Church, 64 Norfield Rd, Weston. Call 203-454-4695.

Aug 29: Auditions to join choir, begins 7 pm, be prepared to learn gospel style of music & movement, weekly Wed eve rehearsals, some weekend performances, call for addt’l info.

Wilton Playshop, Lover’s Lane, Wilton. Call 203-840-1381.

Sept 4-5: Auditions for 1776, begins 7 pm each night callbacks Sept 6, also 7 pm), openings for 25 men ages 20-75) & 2 women age 30±), director is Skip Ploss call # above or send email to Lploss@snet.net), show dates Fri-Sat Nov 2-24 incl 2 Sun matinees.

 

Aug 24-25: Theatre Barn Cabaret Showcase: Kevin Briody with George Wurzbach, Ridgefield Theatre Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield, doors open 6:30, performance begins 8 pm, call for ticket details, performance by current CT State Troubadour & Mr Wurzbach of original material in cabaret setting; 203-431-9850.

Aug 26: Themselves at Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury, 3 pm, free concert by group of performers widely known for its exceptional performances of traditional Irish music, 8th annual Frasier W. McCann Concert incl free post-performance reception w/ performers; 860-350-2181.

Aug 27: CT Choral Scty Summer Sing-In, Trinity Episcopal Church, Main St at Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 7-9:30 pm, $5, all are invited to join CCS members in singing Mendelssohn’s Elijah w/ CCS conductor John Leipold & assoc conductor James Balmer, music provided; 203-263-7603, 800-555-5250.

Sept 1: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:45 pm, adm $4 or $3 if staying after Pasta Dinner earlier that evening), bluegrass music & other styles led by Roger Sprung, et al, choice of desserts, soft drinks/coffee; 426-9998.

Sept 8: John Gorka & Brooks Williams at Breadsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport, gates open 6 pm for picnics zoo not open for tours during concerts), opening performance by CT State Troubadour Kevin Briody begins 6:45 pm, tickets $15/advance, $17.50/gate, $10 ages 3-11 & seniors, performances by Gorka & Williams begins 7:30, final concert of annual ZooFolk Concert Series; 203-392-6572.

Sept 9: 6th Annual Jazz in the Garden: Chris Brubeck and Friends, Weir Farm Nat’l Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton, 4 pm, tickets $15, free age 12 & under, outdoor performance in terraced gardens by jazz musician Brubeck & friends will be rain or shine, bring chairs/blankets for seating, picnics welcome; 203-761-9945.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-4519.

Stage A Performance, eclectic music & multi-media series showcase, performances 7 pm, tickets $30: Aug 24, DJ Spooky That Subliminal Kid with Matthew Shipp; Sept 7, Duncan Sheik.

CityCenter Danbury, Ives St & Patriot Dr, Danbury. Call 792-1711.

2001 CityCenter Summertime Festival of the Arts, free concerts.

Fri-Sat performances 7:30 pm w/ classic rock, opera, jazz, blues, oldies, Big Band, etc: Aug 24, Songland, 4 singer-songwriters offer passionately clever folk/pop, great vocals & harmonies; Aug 25, Northeast Navy Show Band rain location Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St), one of most sought after Big Bands in New England will offer variety of American musical styles incl swing, blues, patriotic music & popular favorites.

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

Family Concert Series, tickets $10 adults, free ages 12 & under: Aug 26, The Importance of Being Earnest, 3 pm.

Summer Concert Series: Sept 3, The Yes Symphonic Tour, 6 pm, tickets $25-70, children $10, classic rock band is touring w/ 40-pc orchestra.

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 8, Out To Lunch, string band will offer blend of fiddle, swing & bluegrass w/ vocals.

Music Mountain, Music Mountain Rd near Rtes 63 & 126), Falls Village. Radio broadcasts on WMNR Monroe, 88.1 FM). Call 860-824-7126.

72nd Season, tickets $17.50/adv, $20/door, $10 students.

Chamber Concerts: Aug 26, Blair String Quartet w/ guest pianist Frederic Chiu & guest bassist Alvin Brehm, works of Beethoven, Shostakovitch & Schubert; Sept 1, Shanghai String Quartet w/ guest pianist Ruth Laredo, 8 pm, works of Turina, Shostakovitch & Schumann; Sept 2, Shanghai String Quartet w/ guest pianist Ruth Laredo, 3 pm, works of Yiwen Jiand, Smetana & Dvorak.

Jazz Concerts, Sat 8 pm: Aug 25, Cynthia Sayer’s Hot Jazz Trio, jazz banjoist & vocalist Sayer is backed by ensemble of musicians for evening of jazz from 1920s-30s.

Sherman Chamber Ensemble. Call 860-355-6155.

Ensemble regulars are Eliot Bailen, cello; Susan Rotholz, flute; Jill Levy, violin; & Sarah Adams, viola.

Fri performances @St Andrew’s Church, Main St, Kent; Sat performances @Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse, Sherman, single concert tickets $20 adults, $15 students & seniors $10 lawn seats available for Sat performances, free lawn seating for age 12 & under), series tickets $35: Aug 31-Sept 1, guest artists Mary Westbrook-Geha soprano), James Baker percussion) & Stacey Shames harp), works of George Crumb, Spohr, Ravel & Saint-Saens.

Summer Sounds of the World concert series, Bridgeport. Call 203-367-7917.

Free concerts suitable for all ages.

Chase Plaza/City Hall Annex, Broad St downtown area), performances at noon: Aug 30, Sunrise Steel Band, Caribbean socca, folk sons, authentic calypso & music of the islands performed on authentic Trinidadian steel drums.

Washington Park, Barnum Ave at Noble Ave, performances 3 pm: Aug 26, Los Pleneros Del Coco, New England’s premier plena ensemble w/ lively, percussive brew of authentic toe-tapping dance music from Puerto Rico w/ more than a dozen master musicians performing plena, bomba, salsa, calypso & jazz Latino.

 

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

Aug 24-30: Bread and Tulips PG-13), daily 5 & 7:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 12:45 pm; Curse of The Jade Scorpion PG-13), daily 5:20, 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:10 pm; The Deep End R), daily 5:30, 7:40 & 9:55 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:15 & 3:20 pm; Hedwig & The Angry Inch R), daily 9:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 3 pm; The Others PG-13), daily 7 & 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4 pm.

The Discovery Museum/Henry B. duPont Planetarium, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-372-3521.

Children’s planetarium shows Tues-Fri 1 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm. Shows suitable for all ages Tues-Fri 3:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1 & 3 pm. Call museum for current programs.)

Through Aug 31: Sat-Sun, Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System ages 7-adult), 1 & 3 pm, Wonderful Sky preschool-age 7), 2 pm; Mon-Fri Wonderful Sky 1 pm, Traveler’s Guide to the Solar System, 3 pm.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main Street, Newtown. Call 426-2475.

Aug 24-30: Shrek PG), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Fri, Mon-Tues 1 pm, Sat-Sun 1 & 3:45 pm.

Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk/IMAX Theatre, 10 N. Water St, Norwalk. Call 203-852-0700.

Through Sept: Journey Into Amazing Caves, daily 11 am, noon, 1, 2 & 3 pm; All Access: IMAX Concert Film, Sat-Sun 5 pm; double feature Everest and Journey Into Amazing Caves, Fri-Sun 7 pm.

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

Italian Film Series, coffee & desserts 7 pm, screenings 8 pm: Aug 26, Il Postino The Postman).

 

Aug 24: St Rose Junior Youth Group Night, St Rose of Lima Parish Hall, Church Hill Rd, Newtown, free, all boys and girls entering sixth and seventh grade invited to video screening, also music and snacks; 426-2572.

Sept 1: 3rd Annual SCE Bluegrass Jamboree, Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse, Sherman, begins 2 pm, free, Sherman Bluegrass All-Stars will offer musical fun for children & adults of all ages, sponsored by Sherman Chamber Ensemble; 860-355-6155.

Beardsley Zoological Gardens, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

Aug 26, Teddy Bear Picnic, 12-3 pm, all children under the age 12 who bring their teddy bear get free admission when accompanied by a paying adult, activities incl teddy bear clinic, storytelling, children’s crafts & info about real bears and their plight in the wild, also Adults Only Bear Facts contest w/ fun prizes to challenge your bear knowledge.

Science Center of Connecticut, Trout Brook Dr, West Hartford. Hours: Tues-Wed 10 am-5 pm, Thurs 10 am-8 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-231-2824.

Through Sept 9, “Experiment Gallery: Hands-On Fun for Inquiring Minds,” create rainbows, see sounds, make a weather system, etc ? learn about scientific principles in fully interactive, hands-on exhibit. Through Sept 9, “Animal Eyes,” 5 areas offer exploration of how animals see incl “Different Kinds of Eyes,” “Different Places on Different Places,” “Night Eyes,” etc.

Tarrywile Park & Mansion, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury. Call 744-3130.

Magic Story Hour series, 11 am-noon, free program w/ story teller Joyce Marie Rayno offers preschoolers the chance to use their imaginations while hearing stories: Aug 28.

 

Through Aug 25: St Jude Parish Italian Festival 2001, Rte 110 at 111, Monroe, Wed-Thurs 6-10:30 pm, Fri 6-11 pm, Sat 2-11 pm, rides, games, money wheels, raffles, Italian food, pastries, live music, Wed & Thurs are Bracelet Nights $15), also Sat 2-6 pm only); 261-6404.

Aug 25: Annual Harmony Grange Agriculture & Craft Fair, fairgrounds at corner of Rte 110 & Rte 111, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, presentations of vegetable, floral & handicraft categories, also baked goods competion, craft vendors, refreshments, farm animals, etc; 268-4502.

Aug 25: Military Museum Summerfest 2001, Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm rain or shien, adm $4 adults, $2 seniors, children ages 6-18 & active military members, visitors allowed to climb inside museum’s armored military vehicles, also incl museum adm, presentation of latest women’s military-look fashions by Enlisted Inc 10-3), info from American Red Cross, US Army recruiters will answer questions,new exhibit “”G.I. Joe: The Boy Next Door,” also “The Evolution of the Jeep” outdoor presentation jeeps circa WWII to present incl rare folding jeep The Harrier); 790-9277.

Aug 25: A Victorian Picnic, 6 Aspetuck Ave, New Milford, 4-6 pm, $5 adults, children free, celebration of Ingleside School operated 1892-1914) will incl family games, playing of Victrola, etc, bring blankets for seating, presented by New Milford Hist Scty; 860-354-3069.

Aug 25: Annual Beef Barbecue, Roxbury Congregational Church, Roxbury, 5:30-7 pm, adm $9.50 adults, $8.50 high school students, $6.50 elementary & middle school students, free preschoolers & younger, fresh, homemade food in outdoor setting is one of church’s annual fundraisers; 860-354-7210, 860-355-1870.

Aug 26: Annual Ukranian Festival, Olga Paproski’s Farm, 5 Hattertown Road, free admission, festival begins 11 am with Celebration of the Divine Liturgy, afternoon event continues with Ukranian and picnic-style food, hay rides, children’s activities, musical performances, etc; 426-4017.

Aug 26: 27th Annual Cannon Grange Agricultural Fair, Grange Hall grounds, 25 Cannon Rd off Rte 7), Wilton, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $2 adults, free ages 12 & under, judged exhibits & competitions incl baked goods, homegrown fruits & vegetables, flowers, crafts, etc, also tag sale, baked goods & refreshments sales, concessions, working oxen show early afternoon), live music, etc; 203-847-2344, 203-846-1840.

Aug 27: CT Choral Scty Summer Sing-In, Trinity Episcopal Church, Main St at Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 7-9:30 pm, $5, all are invited to join CCS members in singing Mendelssohn’s Elijah w/ CCS conductor John Leipold & assoc conductor James Balmer, music provided; 203-263-7603, 800-555-5250.

Aug 28: Candlewood Camera Club Kick-Off Meeting, VFW Hall, 5 Byron St, Danbury, 8 pm, all photographers invited to learn about club; 744-0141.

Sept 1: Monthly Pasta Project Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner w/ choices of sauce, garlic bread, salad, desserts & soft drinks; 426-9998.

Sept 1-5: 26th Annual C.H. Booth Library Annual Labor Day Book Sale, Fairfield Hills building, Trades La, Newtown signs posted), Sat 9 am-5 pm 9 am-noon, adm $10; noon-5 pm, adm $5), Sun 10 am- pm, Mon 9 am-:30 pm, Tues 2-6 pm, Wed 10 am- pm remainders free), 70 categories books, audio & video tapes, numbered tickets on sale Sat 7 am; 426-4533.

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

Free programs: Aug 29, Women Authors book discussion group will discuss Sleeping Arrangements by Laura Shaine Cunningham, 7 pm, new members always welcome, have book read before attending.

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

Free programs unless noted, reservations requested, call any time weather is questionable: Aug 29, fern identification workshop, 9:30 pm, learn how to identify ferns using field guides & key points.

CT Contacts, New Haven. Call 203-468-1144.

Dances each Fr @Pinecrest Country Club, 745 River Rd/Rte 110, Shelton, 8 pm-1 am, $13, no jeans/sneakers. Dances Sat @Colonial Tavern, Rte 67, Oxford, 8:30 pm-1 am, $13, no jeans/sneakers, themes as follows: Aug 31, Deck Party at Pinecrest Country Club, holiday event will offer picnic buffet, smoking outdoors only, casual attire OK, dancing to Top 40/soft rock; Sept 1, Patio Party at Colonial Taavern, see Aug 31 details.

Gunn Memorial Library & Museum, 5 Wykeham Rd at Rte 47, Washington. Call 860-868-7586.

Aug 30, Gunn Writers’ Series: Paul Lussier, 7 pm, free program w/ local author of Last Refuge of Scoundrels, who will discuss getting started in writing, doing research & what inspires him to write.

Summer Literature Lecture Series, meets 7 pm, free series will focus on stylistic changes seen in early 20th C novels: Aug 28, discussion of E.M. Forster’s Howards End.

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: Sept 4, Non-Fiction Book Group meeting, 7 pm, discussion of Ron Chernow’s Titan: The Life of John D. Rockefeller, Sr.

Tarrywile Park & Mansion, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury. Call 744-3130.

Aug 25, hike to Eureka Reservoir past Hearthstone Castle) & back, begins 10 am, lasts 3-3½ hours & some difficult terrain included, heavy rain cancels, all ages welcome, pre-registration requested.

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

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm doors open 7 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: Aug 29, “Aaron Jeffaris: No Lie,” one-act monologue by 1997 Rap Slam Champion poet Aaron Jeffaris; Sept 5, Solidad diCosta, performance poet from San Francisco.

 

Country Players of Brookfield, Rte 25 next to library), Brookfield Center, Call 775-0023.

Play reading of These Things Happen, Sept 9, 1 pm, free, reading of new work by Natalie Bates of Roxbury deals w/ rape, confrontation, betrayal & lies within one family) will be followed by open discussion.

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

Smokey Joe’s Café, through Oct 21, Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $28 & $30 senior discount for mat performances, tickets $20), group discounts also available.

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

They All Laughed! The New Gershwin Musical, through Sept 28, 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-$44.

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

Stage, Too series: The Carpetbagger’s Children, Sept 6-23 preview Sept 6, opening night Sept 7), curtain Tues-Thurs 7:30, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2:30 pm, tickets $35 & $45, series tickets also available.

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 39, Sherman. Call 860-355-3622.

Ravenscroft, through Sept 1, curtain Fri-Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sun) Aug 19, 3 pm.

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

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, through Aug 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, tickets $20 adults, $18 students & seniors.

Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport. Call 203-227-4177.

Heaven Can Wait, through Aug 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8:30 pm, Mon-Thurs 8 pm, mat Wed 2 pm, Sat 5 pm, tickets $17-$48.

Temporary Help, Aug 29-Sept 15, curtain Fri-Sat 8:30 pm, Mon-Thurs 8 pm, mat Wed 2 pm, Sat 5 pm, tickets $17-$48.

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

DEADLINE INFORMATION

Press releases for the Enjoy calendar of events or the Enjoy section must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to the attention of Shannon Hicks, Arts Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color prints; please call for details concerning photo files to be emailed.