Antiques Shows______

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.

Dec 11-12: 13th Winter Wonderland of Fine Art & Crafts, Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, 10 am-5 pm both days, adm $6, 70 exhibitors, proceeds benefit Friends of the Civic Center; 914-273-4667.

Dec 19: 19th Annual Antique Stocking Stuffers Show & Sale, Greenwich Civic Center, 90 Harding Rd, Old Greenwich, 10 am-5 pm, adm $6; 914-273-4667, (show phone) 203-637-4583.

Jan 1: Glastonbury Antiques & Collectibles Gala New Year’s Show, Glastonbury High School, Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 9 am-4:30 pm, adm $6, 130 dealers from New England, NY & RI; 860-342-2540.

Jan 8-9: 47th Papermania Plus, Hartford Civic Center, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $6 (seniors half price on Sun), 160 exhibitors, appraisals (Sun 10 am-2 pm, free); 860-563-9975.

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.

Through Jan 8: “Winter Magic,” fine arts and crafts by area artists.

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 Children’s Dept — Through Dec 31, Santa dolls/figures dressed in costumes of different countries & regional areas of US by Newtown resident Irene Thacker, who recently donated her dolls to library’s permanent collection.

In first floor display cases (near Children’s Dept) — Through Dec 31, New England Specialties Folk Art Santas, hand carved, distressed, antiqued, signed & dated Santa figures from the Newtown workshop of Sandra & Frank Navone.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room — Through Dec 29: “Images of Alaska,” photographs of Alaskan images by Mary Hayes-Siegrist.

Carriage Barn Arts Center in Waveny Park, 681 South Ave, New Canaan. Hours: Tues-Fri 11 am-4 pm, Sat-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-972-1895.

Through Dec 12: “World War II Artists: Front Lines to the Home Front,” images of WWII done during & after the war by Fairfield County artists (all veterans of WWII) Victor Dowd, Sydney Greenberg, Doug Leigh, Howard Munce, Clark Robinson, Arthur Shilstone, Tracy Sugarman & Ed Vebell.

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.

Through Dec 24, works by Stephanie Adam (of Newtown), Janet DiGuardi, Robert Everding, Suzanne Katchmar, Laurel Lobovits, Toby Michaels, Rab Thornton, Jill Vaughn & Linda Wingerter.

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

Through Jan 16: “Anna Held Audette: Painter of Ruins of Our Time,” also recent scupture by David Burt; Dec 11, artists’ reception (public invited), 4-6 pm.

Fine Line Art Gallery, 586 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-266-0110.

*(new show) Dec 12-23, “Deck The Walls,” art show & sale featuring paintings in oil, acrylic, watercolor & pastel by gallery artists, also handcrafted pottery & jewelry, special holiday hours (Dec 13-23, 11 am-5 pm; Dec 24, 11 am-2 pm); Dec 12, artists’ reception (public welcome), 12-5 pm.

Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm, Sun 12-10 pm. Call 203-266-4663.

*(new show) Through Feb 7, “Paintings & Etchings,” works by the CT artist Richard Carleton offering “a visual epiphany” of diverse images by an artist who likes his works to look like they have been done by a number of different people (rather than following a structured identifying style).

Through Feb 7, glassware by the Vermont craftsman Michael Egan, who offers selections w/ distinctive artistic design on platters, pitchers, bowls & vases (encore presentation of Mr Egan’s holiday 2003 show).

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 Dec 31: “From Artifact To Art: Paintings of The IAIS Collection by Arvale Rogers,” works by the renowned artist showing ethnographic items in museum’s collection.

Through Dec 31: “Northern Hunters & Fishermen: Indigenous Peoples of The Arctic, Sub-Arctic and Northwest Coast,” objects & art reflecting the lives & survival of Native American peoples – incl Tinuit, Tlingit, Haida, Makah, Hupe & Cree – who live in some of the coldest & most inhospitable environments on Earth.

Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby. Hours: Tues-Sat 9 am-4:30pm. Call 734-2513.

*(new show) Through Dec 30, “Art from Connecticut Forests,” unique display of works created from a single white oak tree, done to illustrate the diversity of products provided by the natural resource, done as part of Centennial Celebration of Forestry.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 Columbus Plaza, New Haven. Hours: Labor Day to May 1, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm; May 2 to Labor Day, daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-772-2130.

Through Jan 9: “Jerusalem and The Holy Land Rediscovered,” 90 tinted & hand-colored lithographs of the Scottish painter David Roberts evoking the artist’s journey to the Holy Land & its sites during the 1830s, on loan from Duke University.

Through Jan 9: “Creating St Peter’s: Architectural Treasures of The Vatican,” exhibit of treasures from the Vatican includes Michelangelo’s 16-foot tall hand crafted study model for the dome of St Peter’s Basilica, also 140+ related items incl a scale model of “old St Peter’s (the ancient basilica that predated the current church), the 18th Century model used to plan the illumination of the façade, 17th Century engravings, papal portraits, a 16th Century compass believed to have been used by Michelangelo, winches used to raise the massive obelisk that still stands in front of St Peters & more, many never before shown in public.

Through Jan 9: “Restoring The Maderno Atrium: The Photography of Mallio Falcioni,” artistic photos by Mr Falcioni that document the delicate & diligent restoration of stuccoes & statues in The Atrium of The Vatican Temple (designed & completed by Carlo Maderno) in the months prior to Great Jubilee Year of 2000.

Mark Twain House & Museum Center, 351 Farmington Ave, Hartford. Hours: 9:30 am-5:30 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-247-0998.

*(new show) Through Jan 30, “Writers Unbound: The Photography of Jill Krementz,” black & white photos of more than 60 famed authors at work incl Updike, Williams, King, Tan, Morrisson, Dr Seuss, E.B. White, et al, by one of the country’s most celebrated portrait photographers.

Through Jan 10, “Victorian Holiday Traditions Celebrated at The Mark Twain House,” 19-room mansion has been decorated in Victorian style, as it would have been for Twain family holiday celebrations ca 1874-1981, when author, wife & family lived in the house.

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.

Through Jan 15: “Black Tie: Exquisite Small Works,” 18 original small-scale paintings by well-known area artists incl Robert Crawford, Joy Bristol, Thomas Adkins, Judith Andrew, Tom Yost, Helene Brier, Robert Holden, Ella Knox, John Schieffer, Katrina Schmidt-Rinke, David Heskes & Mary Whyte, with each work coupled w/ custom frame designed & built by gallery owner P.H. Miller.

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.

Through Jan 12, “Black, White & Gray,” photography by Judith Patrovich incl many of state’s landscapes, portrait sculpture by Philip Grausman.

New Haven Colony Historical Society, 114 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 12-5 pm (museum library open Wed-Fri 10-5 only). Call 203-562-4183.

Through Jan 15: “Substance & Style: Margaret Fitch Brewster and The Emergence of The Modern Society Woman,” celebration of a New Haven society woman (1884-1963) who found inspiration & influence in many charitable organizations & cultural movements that she participated in & helped establish during her lifetime.

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

Through Dec 31: “Holiday Exhibition: Small Format,” paintings & sculpture by 4 generations of New England artists incl paintings by Bertram Bruestle featuring CT landscapes & barns, VT scenes by Rosemary Ladd, local landscapes by Curt Hanson & Frank Metz, plus sculpture by Paul Suttman & Stanley Bleifeld.

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

Through Dec 19: “Holiday Market,” RGA’s annual sale of fine art & artisanry, all priced for gift-giving.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery (formerly Grey Horse Gallery), 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Thurs 7-9 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Paintings by Rainie Crawford, Frank Federico, Leslie Lillien Levy, Dick McEvoy, Alain J. Picard & Peter Seltzer, sculpture by Sterett-Gittings Kelsey; Dec 11, formal gallery reopening (public welcome, most artists will be in attendance), 1-4 pm (snow date Dec 18).

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through Dec 24: Washington Art Association’s Annual Holiday Gift Sale, WAA Gallery, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, sale of crafts & small works of art made by 100+ area fine artists & craftspeople, suitable for holiday giving, incl soaps & body scrubs, beaded necklaces, patchwork quilts, functional & decorative pottery, ornaments, dried floral wreaths & more; 860-868-2878.

In Upstairs Gallery: Through Dec 31, regional landscapes in gouache by South Kent artist Mary Miner depicting scenes in Kent, Washington & New Preston.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Visitor Center Hours: winter hours (effective Nov 15) Thurs-Sun 9:30 am-5 pm. Call 203-834-1896.

Through Dec 12: “Artists At Weir Farm: Three Trees – Joan Fitzsimmons and Lori Soderlind,” black & white photographs by Ms Fitzsimmons created to illustrate Three Trees, a collection of short stories by Ms Soderlind.

Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Tues & Thurs 10 am-9 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-263-3502.

*(new show) Through Dec 30, “From Bloomsbury to Bethlehem,” modernist acrylic paintings by Ruth Cargill, who grew up in Bloomsbury, London, was influenced by African designs in costumes & props of her father’s work & moved to US 20 years ago.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Dec 10: 14th Annual Saint John’s Chorale Christmas Candlelight Concert, St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington Green, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students, Richard Busch will direct auditioned group of singers through works of Williams (Fantasia on Christmas Carols), Pergolesi (Magnificat) & other seasonal favorites incl an original composition by Mr Busch, concert will also be offered Dec 12 at 4; 860-868-2527.

Dec 10-12: Nutcracker by Main Street Theater, at Pomperaug High School, 234 Judd Rd, Southbury, performances Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $20 adults, $16 senior citizens & ages 18 & under, full production featuring Todd Hall (Main Street Ballet resident guest teacher, former member of Boston Ballet) w/ students & faculty of Woodbury-based dance studio; 264-4364.

Dec 10-12: Danbury Music Centre’s annual Nutcracker Ballet, at Danbury High School, Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $15 & $20, full production of ballet will feature more than 200 dancers, 50 musicians from Danbury Symphony Orchestra & 30 singers from Danbury Symphony Youth Chorus, artistic director is Arthur Fredric, music direction by Richard Price, technical director Francis Arnold Daley & costumes by Lisa Denton & Laurie Toothill (& respective crews); 748-1716.

Dec 11: Newtown Choral Society Winter Concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, $9 adults, $7 seniors & students, director Mary Andreotta will lead choir through Geoffrey Bush’s In Praise of Mary, works of Mozart & Thompson, also songs of the season, accompanied by Todd Gorski; 426-3769.

Dec 12: “A Song is In The Air: A Christmas Recital,” Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 4 pm, donations welcome, recital featuring vocalists Lynn Williams, William Joyner, Anne Wright Coffman, and Mattie and Caroline Joyner, violinist Amy Lonsinger, organist Phil Crevier, classical guitarist Larry Williams, bassoonist Jackie Sifford Joyner, proceeds will benefit NCC; 426-9024.

Dec 12: “5th Annual St Rose Choral Festival Concert: The Voice of Christmas,” St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 4 pm, freewill donations accepted, performance by church’s Festival & Folk choirs, directed by Joseph Jacovino, Jr, will feature a major cantata (Martin’s “The Voice of Christmas”) with narrations & biblical characters; 426-1014.

Dec 12: “Fanfares: The CCS Holiday Concert,” First Congregational church, 164 Deer Hill Ave, Danbury, 4 pm (free pre-concert talk at 3:30), tickets $20/door, $18/advance, CT Choral Society continues 25th anniv season w/ fanfares & concerted works for multiple combos of brass & vocal choirs positioned in various sections of sanctuary incl works of Rutter, Bruckner, Dello Joio, Gabrieli & Liesring, also traditional carols, CCS will be joined by CCS Brass Ensemble, also Shepaug High School Chorus; 800-555-5250.

Dec 12: “Savior of the Nations, Come – An Advent Hymn Festival,” Immanuel Lutheran Church, 32 West St, Danbury, 3 pm, featuring the choirs of Immanuel Lutheran (Danbury) & Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (New Fairfield), also readings from The Mystery of Holy Night, holiday reception to follow service; 748-3320.

Dec 12: 10th Annual “Christmas Angelicus” concerts by Chorus Angelicus & Gaudeamus, Kent School chapel, 1 Macedonia Rd, Kent, 5 pm, adm $20 general seating, $30 adult priority seating, $20 student priority, $10 student general, performance of traditional & classic carols by choir of children & adults in candle-lit settings selected for their architecture & acoustics, accompanied by readings & recitations by the actor John McDonough; 888-788-8882.

Dec 12: 14th Annual Saint John’s Chorale Christmas Candlelight Concert, St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington Green, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students, Richard Busch will direct auditioned group of singers through works of Williams (Fantasia on Christmas Carols), Pergolesi (Magnificat) & other seasonal favorites incl an original composition by Mr Busch, program also being performed Dec 10 at 8; 860-868-2527.

Dec 19: New Milford School of Performing Arts’ Double Bill: The Nutcracker Ballet & A Christmas Opera, at Shepaug Valley High School, Washington, Nutcracker performances at 2 & 6:30 pm, Christmas Opera: Amahl & The Night Visitors at 5 pm, tickets for single shows $12 adults, $8 seniors & students, double-bill tickets $18 adults, $12 students & seniors, performances will feature SOPA students & guest dancers Adam Battelstein & Kerry Gallagher, guest opera singers Wesley Garrison, Jayne Skoog & Tom Protenic; 860-210-1444.

Dec 19: Handel’s Messiah by Danbury Concert Chorus & Danbury Baroque Chamber Orchestra, at St Peter’s Church, 104 Main St, Danbury, 7:30 pm (doors open at 6:30, early arrival suggested), free performance of full oratorio by 100-voice choral group w/guest soprano Karen Morse, mezzo-soprano Laura Vlasak Nolen, tenor Sean Fallen & bass Rodney Davis; 748-1716.

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

Dec 31, “Salute To Vienna,” 7:30 pm, tickets $25-$75 for concert only (optional post-performance New Year’s Jazz w/ prime concert seating, dinner by Max, more music by HSO Jazz Quartet, dancing & champagne toast, $195), guest conductor Sascha Goetzel will lead HSO through Strauss overtures, polkas, marches & ballet waltzes (featuring members of Hungarian Nat’l Ballet), also selections from operettas Giuditta, The Gypsy Princess, Countess Maritza, et al, feat soprano Ingrid Mankhof & tenor Thomas Piffka.

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

Dec 10-11, annual production of GianCarlo Menotti’s Amahl and The Night Visitors by WCSU Opera, 8 pm, tickets $10 adults, $5 seniors & ages 12 & under, WCSU music professor Dr Margaret Astrup will direct 10th annual production of the holiday classic; Dec 12, WCSU Holiday Jazz Concert, 7 pm, free (donations accepted for university’s music dept), performance of timeless holiday classics.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Dec 10-11, “Holiday Spectacular! Debbie Gravitte & Friends,” Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and The Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 2 pm (family matinee), tickets $20 & $25, songs, music, dance & humor w/ Ms Gravitte (Tony Award-winner), plus folk singer Kevin Briody, poet Ira Joe Fisher, internationally known tenor William Joyner, The Kids Chorale, Ridgefield Chorale and The Russ Kassoff Trio.

Films _________________

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

Dec 10-16: Enduring Love (R), daily 7:05 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 2 pm; Kinsey (R), daily 6:50 & 9:50 pm, mat Fri 4:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:20 pm; The Motorcycle Diaries (R), daily 7:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 2:15 pm; Ray (PG-13), daily 8:55 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 4 pm; Sideways (R), daily 6:40 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 3:50 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm; What The #?*! Do We Know? (NR), daily 9:45 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 4:40 pm.

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

Independent Film Series, 7:30 pm, free: Dec 14, The Republic of Love.

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

Dec 10-16: The Princess Diaries II: Royal Engagement (R), Fri-Sun 7 & 9 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Through Jan 13: Forces of Nature, Mon-Fri 1, 2 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, noon, 1, 2 3 & 4 pm.

Through Jan 13: Forces of Nature and Flight of the Aquanaut double feature, Fri-Sun 7 pm.

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

Lost & Found Film Series, 7:30 pm screenings followed by guest speakers for Q&A, tickets $15: Dec 17, A Walk on The Moon, guest actor & director Tony Goldwyn.

For Kids & Families _________

Through Dec 12: Two from Galilee, Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd, Bethel, performances Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $7.50, dramatic musical by Walnut Hill Worship & Arts Department based on the book by Marjorie Holmes; 796-7373.

Through Dec 13: Scholastic Book Fair at Sylvan Learning Center, 20 Federal Rd/Rte 7, Brookfield, 9 am-8 pm daily, specially-priced books & educational products incl recently released works, award-winning titles, children’s classics, interactive software & current best-sellers, special open house & family event w/ read-alouds, refreshments & door prizes on Dec 10 (7-8 pm); 775-9611.

Dec 13: “Hanukkah: Festival of Lights,” at Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 4:30 pm, ecumenical program for grades K-3 will be led by “The Singing Rabbi” Shaul Praver (Congregation Adath Israel, Newtown), children will light candles, sing songs & eat latkas, themes of freedom & light will be emphasized; 452-5459.

Dec 14: Reading of The Night Before Christmas, The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 11 am, museum adm $5 adults, $4 senior citizens & college students, $3 ages 4-17, reading of Clement C. Moore’s holiday classic by special guest Bridgeport Mayor John M. Fabrizi; 203-331-1104.

Dec 15: Holiday Train Story Time at Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 4:30 pm, free program for ages 5-8 will incl story, video & craft, registration required; 452-5459.

Dec 18-31: Annual Hands-On Train Display, New Milford Train Station, Railroad St, New Milford, daily 12-4 pm, free display of model trains, villages & tiny figures dressed in winter finery set up on 2 tables& featuring nearly 100 ft of track, also hands-on opportunities to control some of the trains; 860-354-6080.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Dec 11, Gingerbread House Workshop, 3-4 pm, $3 materials fee due at registration (must be done in person), ages 4 & up invited to decorate an already-assembled graham cracker house w/ icing & candies; Dec 18, Holiday Craft Workshop, 1-2 pm, $3 (due at registration), ages 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for workshop; Dec 18, Meet The Author: Karen Pierce, 2-4 pm, Newtown resident Karen Pierce will talk about her new release, Yoga Bear, demonstrate poses & answer questions about yoga, book signings will follow.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Dec 15, Let’s Talk About: A Single Shard, 4-5 pm, readers in grades 5-8 invited to join discussion of Linda Sue Park’s award-winning book about a 13-year old Korean orphan who dreams of becoming a potter.

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

Dec 12, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Theatre IV, 1 & 3 pm, $12 adults, $10 children, musical production based on Clement Moore’s poem.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Dec 13: Scholastic Book Fair at Sylvan Learning Center, 20 Federal Rd/Rte 7, Brookfield, 9 am-8 pm daily, specially-priced books & educational products incl recently released works, award-winning titles, children’s classics, interactive software & current best-sellers, special open house & family event w/ read-alouds, refreshments & door prizes on Dec 10 (7-8 pm); 775-9611.

Through Dec 19: “Songs of The Season: Sights & Sounds of The Holiday Season,” Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave (off Rte 34), Derby, Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, free adm, each room of museum will be decorated to reflect a different holiday sound by members of regional garden clubs, tours available from museum guides, Twilight Tours also available Dec 10 & 17; 734-2513.

Through Dec 19: Vintage Train Rides to Visit Santa, Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, Sat-Sun 12-5 pm, $7 (ages 3 & up), visitors will ride on fully-restored 1953 New Haven Railroad Rail Diesel Car (RDC) through museum’s railyard en route to Santa’s railcar, where they will be greeted by Mrs Claus & elves, small gifts for each child; 778-8337.

Through Dec 22: “An Enchanted Forest of Artist Ornaments,” Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan, Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm, handmade holiday ornaments created by Silvermine Guild members in variety of media, all available for purchase, gallery will be open late Dec 22 for final shopping opportunities; 203-966-5617.

Dec 10: Holiday Twilight Tour at Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave (immediately off Rte 34), Derby, 4-6:30 pm, free adm, self-guided tours through museum where each room has been decorated by regional garden club members to reflect Christmas songs, decorated museum open for regular visits w/ guided tours to Dec 19 (Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, group tours available – call for appt), Twilight Tour also planned for Dec 17; 734-2513.

Dec 11: “Calling All Cookie Monsters: St Thomas’ Eighth Cookie Event,” St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 9:30 am-noon, thousands of cookies available, all $7/pound (shoppers create their own collections), also homemade fudge, free gift wrapping for cookies; 748-2089.

Dec 11: Monroe Historical Society Christmas Fair, East Village-Barn Hill Historic Schoolhouse, Wheeler Rd, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, vintage & new ornaments, decorated sleds, Grandma’s Attic (small vintage collectibles), baked goods, historical society cookbooks & more; 268-5511.

Dec 11: WCSU Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University westside campus, University Blvd (off Mill Plain/Lake Ave Ext), Danbury, planetarium show at 4:30 pm, telescope viewing 5:30-7:30 of early winter sky, free & open to public; 837-8672.

Dec 11: Mad Hatters Independent Media Center (IMC) Second Annual Community Art Auction, at Molten Java Coffeehouse, 102 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, silent auction begins 6 pm, live auction at 8, free adm, sales of local businesses’ wares, also art from local artists in variety of tastes/styles & price ranges, half proceeds will benefit Danbury Hatters IMC, other half will go directly to artists; 730-9397.

Dec 12: Newtown Holiday Craft Festival, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-4 pm, free adm, 30 crafters expected, presented by Artisans Alliance; 261-2414.

Dec 12: “Natural Holiday Decorations,” Flanders Nature Center Trail House, Flanders at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 1-3 pm, $15, learn how to gather evergreens, berries, milkweed pods & pinecones while preserving trees, bring clippers if possible; 203-263-3711.

Dec 16: WCSU Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University westside campus, University Blvd (off Mill Plain/Lake Ave Ext), Danbury, planetarium show at 4:30 pm, telescope viewing 5:30-7:30 of early winter sky, free & open to public; 837-8672.

Dec 17: Holiday Twilight Tour at Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave (immediately off Rte 34), Derby, 4-6:30 pm, free adm, self-guided tours through museum where each room has been decorated by regional garden club members to reflect Christmas songs, decorated museum open for regular visits w/ guided tours to Dec 19 (Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, group tours available – call for appt); 734-2513.

Dec 18: Alliance Française Café Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for conversations in French on various topics, speakers of all levels welcome, topics vary from simple chit-chat to discussions focused on French culture, history or news, call if weather questionable; 262-0626.

Dec 18: WUMC Holiday Spaghetti & Meatball Dinner, Woodbury United Methodist Church, Main St at Church St, Woodbury, 4:45-7 pm, $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 ages 12 & under (meatballs addt’l 50¢ each), spaghetti dinner w/ salad, garlic bread, soft drinks/coffee & dessert; 203-263-4775.

Dec 18-31: Annual Hands-On Train Display, New Milford Train Station, Railroad St, New Milford, daily 12-4 pm, free display of model trains, villages & tiny figures dressed in winter finery set up on 2 tables& featuring nearly 100 ft of track, also hands-on opportunities to control some of the trains; 860-354-6080.

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

Programs free unless noted: Dec 13, Mystery Book Club meeting, 1 pm, discussion of Philip Roth’s The Ghost Rider, newcomers welcome; Dec 15, Genealogy Club meeting, 7:30 pm, anyone w/ interest in genealogy welcome.

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: Dec 11, Southford Falls, Oxford, short hike followed by winter hike planning session & potluck holiday luncheon (leader & food coordinator is Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025).

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.

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.

Dec 18, Holiday Celebration in Newtown, begins 7 pm, bring favorite dish to share (optional: bring toy for annual fund drive), directions w/ reservations.

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.

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

Guided hikes, free, cancelled if heavy rain, wear rugged, sturdy shoes, bring water, bug spray & light snack, pre-registration requested: Dec 11, 2-hour hike, starts at 9 am; Dec 18, 3-hour hike, starts at 9 am.

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: Dec 15, Gerald Brooker; Dec 22 & 29, no readings/holiday break.

Theatre ______________

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

Sugar Babies: The Burlesque Musical, through Feb 6, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $37.50-$45.50.

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

Mack & Mabel, through Dec 12, 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).

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

The Mystery of Irma Vep, through Dec 12, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Tues 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $40-$60.

Black Nativity, Dec 16-18, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 2 pm, tickets $25-$35 adults, $10 ages 12 & under.

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

Pageant, through Dec 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm (note Dec 11, performances 6:30 & 9 pm), tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students; cabaret seating, audience welcome to bring in refreshments (picnic dinners also available), doors open one hour before show.

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

Anthony Neilson’s The Night Before Christmas, through Dec 19 & 31, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 12 & 19) 2 pm, tickets $15, show is not appropriate for children; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala, 8 pm, tickets $30 & incl hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

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