Antiques Shows______

Jan 1: Glastonbury Antiques & Collectibles Gala New Year’s Show, Glastonbury High School, Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 9 am-4:30 pm, adm $7, 130 dealers, from New England, NY & RI; 860-342-2540.

Jan 9-10: 57th Papermania Plus, XL Center, Asylum St, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $7, senior citizens half-price on Sun, 160 exhibitors, appraisals (Sun 11-2); 860-563-9975, 860-529-2234.

Art Exhibits____ _____

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

Through Jan 3: “Pretty Tough: Contemporary Storytelling,” fairy tale-like depictions by 10 women focusing on narrative representation & figuration incl discussions on warfare, the environment & female struggles in their work.

Through Jan 10: “Gerard Hemsworth: Hidden Agenda,” confrontational, disconcerting & provocative paintings by the British artist celebrating his first solo US exhibition.

Through Jan 10: “Tom Sachs: Cameras,” work by the CT-born photographer focusing exclusively on cameras.

Through Jan 17: “Edward Tufte: Seeing Around,” first major exhibition of Tufte’s sculpture, in museum’s garden, of rusting weathered pcs against new plantings of white pine, spruce, red cedar & bamboo.

Through Jan 17: “Bike Rides: The Exhibition,” exploration of the growing relevance of bicycles in contemporary art & culture.

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

Through Jan 10: “Celebrate the Season,” annual presentation of Victorian Christmas era decorations & trends throughout museum.

Connecticut Historical Society, One Elizabeth St, Hartford; 860-236-5621.

Through Jan 27: “She Shoots… She Scores! Women’s Basketball in Connecticut,” memorabilia & footage from last century tracing the game since inception & correlation between women’s changing social & political roles paralleling game then to now, representing teams incl UConn Huskies, CT Sun, New England Blizzard, All American Red Heads, et al.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury; 203-778-8337.

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

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

Through Jan 13: “Narratives,” mixed media works by Fethi Meghelli & digital photo collages by Debra Roinestad.

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

Through Jan 17: “Christmas Through The Ages,” vintage toys & memorabilia in festive Victorian era, 1920s & 1950s settings, also dolls from past generations, Christmas trees from different eras & vintage dresses.

Stairwell Gallery — 

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, New Haven; 203-865-0400.

Through Jan 31: “Ninth Annual Christmas Tree Festival,” artificial trees decorated w/ handmade ornaments by 500 CT students in grades K-5.

Through Jan 31: “A Latino Christmas: Nativities of Latin America,” Nativity scenes, or crèches, from 16 Latin countries, 4 southwestern US states & Puerto Rico.

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

Through Feb 7: “F. Luis Mora and The Expression of Beauty,” 45+ works incl paintings, murals, drawings & preparatory studies by master painter (1874-1940) who made his home in Gaylordsville.

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

Through Jan 4: “Making Faces,” portraits, self-portraits & whimsical constructions by Peter Steiner.

*(new show) Jan 9-Feb 13: paintings by Desiree Alvarez, who infuses her art w/ wit & charm & “an exquisite palette of luscious color”; Jan 9, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Morrison Gallery, 5 Maple St, Kent; 860-927-4501.

Through Jan 31: works by Hans Hoffmann & George McNeil.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 800 Main St, Hartford; 860-838-4055.

Through Jan 3: “The MATRIX Effect,” 26-min video by Christian Jankowski done in 2000 to celebrate 25th anniv of MATRIX project coupled w/ featured MATRIX artists Janine Antoni, John Baldessari, Dawoud Bey, Christo & Jeanne-Claude, Louise Lawler, Sol Le Witt, Glenn Ligon & Adrian Piper.Through Jan 24: “Rembrandt’s People,” two Rembrandt paintings from the museum’s collection (“Portrait of Saskia” & “Portrait of Titus”), along w/ Rembrant works loaned from public & private US & Canada collections, w/  aim to demonstrate the artist’s talent as a figure painter through his distinctive, insightful style, presenting human beings that connect in a direct way with the viewer.

Through Feb 28: “The Allure of Lace,” individual lace pieces, along with lace incorporated into clothing, handkerchiefs & fans from Europe and the Middle East, as well as 20th Century dresses, samples, lace making tools & portrait miniatures, all drawn from the museum’s costume & textile collections.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven; 203-432-0600.

Through Jan 27: “Picasso and the Allure of Language,” 70 works in all media by Picasso, as well as select examples by fellow artist Georges Braque, also photos, letters, manuscripts & book projects by other artists & writers, revealing Picasso’s deep & multidimensional interest in writing & language & the many ways in which that transformed his work.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists, 30 Davis Hill Road, Weston CT 06883.

Jan 4: Submission deadline for 5th annual juried fine art portrait exhibition (“Faces of Winter 2010), to be presented Feb 5-March 6 at UConn Gallery in Stamford, Nelson Shanks will judge for cash & ribbon awards for painting, drawing & sculpture, send SASE to above address for details and prospectus or visit CSOPAorg.

Easton Arts Council, Easton; 203-261-0175.

Jan 10: Drop off for EAC’s Annual Art show, 10 am-1 pm, show will take place Jan 12-Feb 28 at Easton Library, $15 entry fee, interested artists, photographers, sculptors & artisans can download entry form at EastonArtsCouncil.org, addt’l info from artshow@eastonartscouncil.org or above phone #; entry forms also available at Easton, Fairfield, Trumbull, Bridgeport (Black Rock branch) Redding & Monroe libraries

Town Players of New Canaan, The Powerhouse, Waveny Park, 681 South Ave 124, New Canaan; 203-536-5393.

Jan 4-5: Open auditions for its Conor McPherson’s The Weir, callbacks will be Jan 6, director Tim Cronin has roles for males in his 30s, 40s & 50s & female in her 30s, Irish accents used in play but not required for auditions, perusal scripts are available at the reference desk of New Canaan Library, performances will be Feb 26-March 13, contact Mr Cronin at above phone # for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Jan 9: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:30 pm, adm $4 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see listing under Miscellaneous), $5 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, light refreshments; 203-426-9998.

Jan 11: St Luke’s Steel Band Christmas Concert, St Luke’s Episcopal Church, 111 Whalley Ave, New Haven, 4 pm, $10 (tickets from orig Dec 20 date will be honored); 203-488-5129.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Jan 9, Naturally 7, $37-$42.50; Jan 12-13, Gregg Allman, $90 (VIP Party Passes available), w/ special guest Scrapomatic feat Mike Mattison (lead vocals, Derek Trucks Band); Jan 23, Marshall Tucker Band, $52.50 (VIP Party Passes available), w/ special guest Sundown; Jan 21, Dancing with The Stars: Sizzling Salsa, $5, learn some ballroom dances incl tango, meringue, et al, vote on the best dancing team & enjoy an after party w/ music, food, signature drinks, and make-up applications by staff from Adam Broderick Salon & Spa; Jan 28, West, Bruce Jr & Laing, $55-$65, w/ special guests OCC: The Band & King Norris feat Fred Norris (The Howard Stern Show); Jan 30, Beatlemania, $45.

For Kids & Families _________

Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury; 203-797-4528.

Jan 7, Author Reading & Craft, 4:15 pm, for grades K-2, registration required, one-hour program will have MLK Jr Day theme; Jan 8, Backwards Day!, 10:15 am, ages 3+.

Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington; 860-868-0518.

Jan 9, Scout Day, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, $15/Scout (adults $5), Boy & Girl Scouts of all levels invited to experience Native American culture & outdoors incl learning about state’s animals, available foods, how to start fire w/ friction, basic tracking skills, making mandellas & roasting marshmallows, registration required.

Miscellaneous ___________

Jan 2: Victorian Tea Party, Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Rd, Washington Green, 1-3 pm, free (registration requested but not required), BYO tea cup, join museum members & others for refreshments & tours of current exhibition “Christmas Through The Ages,” all ages welcome; 860-868-7756.

Jan 3: Screening of Eccentricities of a Nightingale, Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 2 pm, screening of adaptation of Tennessee Williams play will also serve as prelude to new playwright discussion group hosted by Ridgefield Theater Barn (begins Jan 6, see separate listing); 203-431-9850, 203-438-2282.

Jan 4: “From the Archives of The Gunn Historical Museum,” at Washington Senior Center, Bryan Hall Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, 10 am, coffee hour readings from museum’s archives incl research papers, photos & stories; 860-868-7756.

Jan 6: Newtown Toastmasters meeting, Town Hall South (Parks & Rec conference room), 3 Main St, Newtown, 7-9 pm, guests/non-members welcome; 203-313-5507.

Jan 6: “Night of the Lyrical Playwright/Great Playwrights Series: Tennessee Williams,” Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield, 7:30 pm, $5, reading of Williams’s Eccentricities of a Nightingale followed by discussion, light refreshments; 203-431-9850.

Jan 9: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, $9 adults, $8 seniors, $3.50 children, optional coffee house w/ live music follows (see listing under Concerts); 203-426-9998.

Jan 9: “Whose Barn Is It Anyway?” at Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefielld, 8 pm, $22, comedy improv by theater’s Role in the Hay Players, cabaret seating; 203-431-9850.

Jan 11: “Town Historian’s Annual Lecture: Connecticut’s Valley Forge,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free program by Dan Cruson will look at recent discovers at Putnam Park, Redding, hosted by Newtown Historical Society; 203-426-5937.

Ballroom Dinner Dance, Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury; 203-268-8570.

Every Wed 7-11 pm, $15, singles & couples welcome, dance lesson, buffet dinner & cash bar available.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

Jan 10, author program w/ Polly Brody, 2 pm, former Newtown resident & poet will read from her new collection of poetry, Stirring Shadows; Jan 11, Daytime Book Discussion, 1 pm, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, newcomers welcome; Jan 11, “Town Historian’s Annual Lecture: Connecticut’s Valley Forge,” 7:30 pm, program by Dan Cruson will look at recent discovers at Putnam Park, Redding, hosted by Newtown Historical Society (203-426-5937); Jan 13, memoir discussion series, 7:30 pm, Places in Between by Rory Stewart; Jan 14, Ask The Organizer, 7 pm (snow date Jan 19), organizing expert Bonnie “The Joyful Organizer” Dewkett will share basics of mak-ing calm from chaos in the home & at work.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury; 203-797-4505.

Jan 2, Independent Film Series: The Grocer’s Son, 2 pm, screening of Berlin International Film Festival winner (Outstanding Acting) will be followed by refreshments & discussion w/ Andrea Wright Barrett; Jan 9, Talking Taxes: The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009, 10:30 am, free one-hour program; Jan 10, Small Business How-To Series: Getting Back into the Workforce for Stay-at-Home Moms, 2 pm, led by Kristin Delfau (owner, Delfau Tax & Financial Services & author, Turbo-Mom’s Guide to Saving Money Without Wasting Time), no registration needed, snow date Jan 17.

Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-2475.

(FILM) Jan 2-7: Where The Wild Things Are (PG), Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington; 860-868-0518.

2010 Winter Film Series, screenings 2 pm: Jan 16-17, The Lost People of Chaco Canyon; Feb 20-21, Black Indians: An American Story; March 27-28, Mystic Voices: The Story of the Pequot War.

Newtown Chess Club, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

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

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level, use rear parking lot), 45 Main Street, Newtown; 203-270-4377.

Shop is open every Wed 12-3 pm & Sat 9 am-noon, access is from town hall’s back parking lot, shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing, sm home accessories & more.

Shepaug Eagle Observation Area, Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station, River Rd, Southbury; 800-368-8954 (reservations line open Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm).

Seasonal: Observation area open to March 7 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required (reservations line now open.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-6224 (ask for Betty) or 203-264-3728 (ask for Krista).

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6:30-7:30 pm (weigh-ins 5:45-6:15, meetings 6:30-7:30), meetings $2/week, membership $24/year.

Treehouse Comedy Productions. Call 203-702-7577.

Shows at The Holiday Inn, 80 Newtown Rd, Danbury: Jan 2, Rich Vos headlining, Bonnie McFarlane opening, 9 pm, $19.50; Jan 8, Gallagher, 8 pm, $30.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, at The Blue Z Coffee House, 127 South Main St, Newtown. Call 203-426-6242, 203-364-0631.

Open mic 7:30, featured poet follows: Jan 6, Haiku Slam Night, slam master will be Faith Vicinanza, bring haiku to share, compete w/ or for open mic; Jan 13, “Found Poem” workshop.

Theatre ______________

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

Season’s Greetings, through Jan 2, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $20 Dec 13 & 20 shows are sold out; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve gala, $50.

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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, Associate Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color, but must be in sharp focus. Please call 203-426-3141 for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.