Antiques Shows______

Feb 14-15: 25th Anniv Westport Antiques Show, Bedford Middle School, 88 North Ave, Westport, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $8, 70+ booths, free parking, proceeds benefit Staples High School student radio station; 203-222-2259.

Feb 15: Antiques & Collectibles Show, Naugatuck High School, 543 Rubber Ave, Naugatuck, 9:30 am-4 pm (no early birds), adm $3, 60+ dealers; 203-723-2588.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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 Koepkne Meeting Room (lower meeting room): Through Jan 31, paintings & illustrations by Newtown artist Carol Ruzika.

On library’s main floor: Through Feb 29, “Cityscapes & Landscapes: Oils & Watercolors by Ruth Newquist,” SoHo street scenes & New England landscapes by the Newtown artist Ruth Newquist.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-869-0376.

Through Feb 1, “The Jewels of Louis Comfort Tiffany,” exploration of LCT’s role as proponent of Art Nouveau movement in America through his use of exotic gemstones & innovative techniques, show incl 50 examples of LCT’s jewelry designs organized into 5 themes.

*(new show) Jan 31-May 2, “Love Letters: Dutch Genre Paintings in The Age of Vermeer,” landmark exhibition w/ 38 Dutch masterpiece paintings drawn from European & American public & private collections exploring the interest among Dutch painters in scenes involving letters, their writing, dictation, delivery & reception & the relation of these images to the explosion in epistolary acticity in Europe at turn of 17th Century (note: addt’l $10 adm charge for this exhibition); Feb 7, Valentine’s Day with Vermeer, extended museum hours until 7 pm, also pay one/get one adm fees.

Burnham Library, Rte 133, Bridgewater. Hours: Tues 1-5 pm, Wed 9 am-6 pm, Thurs 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm. Call 860-354-6937.

Through Jan 31, “Moss Mirrors,” original works featuring fabric scenes & mirrors by Newtown artist Margaret Moss.

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

*(new show) Jan 29-Feb 22, “Hearts & Flowers,” group show for winter blues w/ works by gallery members; Feb 7, opening reception, 12-5 pm.

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

Through Feb 2, “Turning Point Glass,” recent glassware art by the Vermont craftsman Michael Egan offers a tour of the artist’s evolving designs.

Through Feb 4, “Shadows and Other Realities,” works on paper by Fethi Meghelli offering the artist’s unique artistic perspective on the contemporary world.

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.

Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-753-0381.

*(new show) Jan 23-April 18, “At Home In Waterbury, Part II,” exploration through oral histories, photos & artifacts explores history of close-knit Waterbury communities of Bucks Hill, Crownbrook, Gilmartin, Homeville, South End, Town Plot & Washington Hill; Jan 23, opening reception, 6-8 pm.

Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury. Hours: (Nov 1-March 31) Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 790-9277.

“Unterseeboot,” exhibit detailing the history of submarine warfare during WWII incl formation of the German Submarine Art and the April 5, 1942 attack on Cape Hatteras.

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.

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

Museum of American Political Life at University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-768-4090.

*(new show) Feb 6-May 16, “American Originals: Treasures from The National Archives,” The Emancipation Proclamation, The Louisiana Purchase Treaty & The Civil Rights Act of 1964, also other documents that have been important during US history (note: special hours will allow public display of pages from Emancipation Proclamation – March 25, 9 am-4 pm; March 26 & 27, 9 am-8 pm; March 28, 9 am-4 pm).

*(new show) Feb 6-May 16, “Connecticut Originals,” complement to “American Originals” will present 80± items representing ideas (CT Charter, ESPN, etc), personalities (Prudence Crandall, Ella Grasso, Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Houghton Hepburn, et al) & inventions (Colt’s Revolver, interchangeable parts, telephone switchboard, etc) introduced by/in CT.

“The History of Presidential Elections,” permanent exhibition offers massive display of small campaign artifacts & hundreds of contemporary graphics & photo images to illustrate the relationship between politics & noteworthy events & trends in US history.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-5050.

*(new show) Jan 24-June 1, “Dinosaur Eggs, Nests and Young,” more than 100 fossil dinosaur eggs & embryos at hands-on exploration stations & animated video presentations featuring well-known dinosaur experts allow visitors access to new evidence that unlocks the mysteries of dinosaur reproductive behavior; Jan 24, “Roxi Fox & The Baby Dinosaurs,” 11 am, free program by puppeteer Betty Baisden; Jan 24, “The Tiniest Giants: Sauropod Eggs & Embryos from Patagonia,” 1 pm, free talk by paleontology research associate Lowell Dingus will concern his dinosaur egg discoveries, suitable for all ages; Jan 24, “Dinosaur Behavior, A Geological Perspective,” 3 pm, free program by famed paleontologost Dr Jack Horner; Jan 25, “Topsy the Baby Triceratops,” 12-5 pm (ongoing), “meet” the coolest baby Triceratops; Jan 25, “Roxy Fox & The Baby Dinosaurs,” 1 pm, free program by puppeteer Betty Baisden.

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

*(new show) Through Feb 15, “Annual All Members’ Show,” featuring 1-2 works by each RGA member; Jan 25, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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) Jan 31-March 15, “Pieced Work,” felted wool pcs by Morna Crites-Moore: small square of wool felt embellished w/ needlework & antique buttons blur the line between folk art & fine art; Jan 31, opening reception/meet-the-artist, 3-6 pm.

Through Feb 8, “Cloud Paintings,” oils on canvas by Hillary Burnett, “exquisitely rendered w/ an ethereal sensibility.”

Through Feb 8, “Digital Dialogue with bitforms, NYC,” digital works by Michael Rees & Michael Somoroff, on loan from NYC-based bitforms gallery.

Walsh Art Gallery at Quick Center, Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-254-4000 x2969.

*(new show) Jan 24-March 21, “A World Of Stage: Russian Costume & Stage Design from the George Riabov Collection of Russian Art,” works of pre-Bolshevik revolution Russian theater & items by Russian émigré artists who designed sets & costumes in the West; Jan 24, “Russian Stage & Costume Design, 1900-1960,” 6:30 pm, free lecture by curator Alla Rosenfeld, PhD, in conjunction w/ exhibit’s opening reception.

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 Feb 1, “Young Talent Show 2004,” annual presentation of up & coming artists offers photography by Maria Isabel Artieda & Amanda Branson, still lifes by Matthew Mann, urban landscapes by Chris Segedy, oils incl nudes, dolls by Adam Parker Smith, portraits & landscapes by Brandon Soloff & clay pcs by Heather Springsteen.

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.

Special Programs: Jan 24, Masterpiece Tour, 1:30 pm, led by museum docents; Jan 24, “Angles on Art,” contemporary views on works in Art Gallery’s collection by Yale undergrads; Jan 25, Masterpiece Tour, 3 pm, led by museum docents; Jan 25, “Angles on Art,” contemporary views on works in Art Gallery’s collection by Yale undergrads; Jan 28, “Focus On: Handcraft To Industry and Back Again – American Ceramics at Yale,” 12:20 pm, by acting asst curator of American decorative arts Caroline Hannah; Jan 29, “Perspectives On Art: Music Hath Charms – Listening to William Sidney Mount’s After Dinner,” by doctoral candidate (history of art) Graham Boettcher; Jan 31, Masterpiece Tour, 1:30 pm, led by museum docents; Jan 31, “Angles on Art,” contemporary views on works in Art Gallery’s collection by Yale undergrads.

*(please note: as of May 2003, all exhibitions & most programs are in adjacent Egerton Swartwout building; YUAG will be undergoing extensive renovations for two years.)

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Connecticut Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury CT 06704-0053. Call 203-584-2857.

Feb 27: Deadline for entries in annual Lynn DeCaro Poetry Competition, no fee to enter, cash prizes ($75, $50, $25) for top 3 choices, open to CT high school students, all subject matter accepted, up to 3 poems can be entered, entries must be typed on white 8 ½ x 11-inch paper, call for full details or send SASE to address above.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Jan 24: Community Coffeehouse To Go, at new/temporary location – WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St (at Fifth Ave), Danbury, 7:30-10:30 pm, adm $10, opening set by Mighty Purple, headlining performance by Ten Shekel Shirt, refreshments available; 748-4972.

Feb 5: The Afro-Semitic Experience at The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30 pm, tickets $7, performance by “unique & popular jazz ensemble whose collaborations has spawned a unique musical fusion of 2 distinct cultures,” adm include access to museum’s galleries, light refreshments; 203-753-0381 x20.

Feb 7: “Trinity Rocks the Town Hall: 1st Annual Dance Party Benefit,” Edmond Town Hall’s Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm-midnight, tickets $25/person, $40/couple, live music by classic rock band Fog, hot & cold hors d’oeuvres, proceeds will help defray costs for members of Trinity Episcopal Church’s Workcamp ’04; 270-9116.

Feb 7: 66th Newtown Scholarship Assn Anniversary Ball, Candlewood Inn, Candlewood Lake Rd, Brookfield, 7 pm, tickets $100, major fundraiser for NSA incl open bar, hors d’oeuvres, performance by Newtown High School musicians, full sit-down dinner, silent auction & dancing to music of Third Shift; 426-7713.

Feb 8: Annual Danbury Music Centre Concert for Young People, WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free adm, performance by Danbury Symphony Orchestra will feature music for dance incl Bernstein’s for dance incl Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, guest ballet dancers Roddy Doble & Jessica Cipriano (both age 14) will perform to Strauss’ Emperor Waltz, 13-yr old guest pianist Remy Zhang will perform first movement of Schumann’s piano Concerto/A minor, also special demos of musicians on their instruments; 748-1716.

Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-0263.

Performances 8 pm, tickets $17-$47 w/ student & group discounts: Jan 24, “Exotic Dances, Magical Tales,” works of John Adams (The Chairman Dances: Foxtrot for Orchestra), Carl Vine (Percussion Symphony) & Rimsky-Korsakov (Scheherazade), concert preceded by GBS Flute Trio performance at 7 pm.

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010, 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396).

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Jan 24, Yale Russian Chorus, $15 & $20, premiere performance ensemble of Slavic music, 20-member choral ensemble specializes in sacred & secular Slavic choral music; Feb 1, “St Luke’s Chamber Ensemble: Baroque and Before,” performance begins 3 pm, program of J.S. Bach, Pergolesi, C.P.E. Bach & Haydn (preceded by “Art To Heart” discussion w/ New York Daily News chief drama critic Howard Kissel, 2 pm); Feb 6, pianist Yefim Bronfman (preceded by “Art To Heart” discussion w/ Laura Nash, PhD, director university’s classical music dept, 7 pm).

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Rd (Rte 116), Ridgefield. Call 203-438-3889.

Performances, 8 pm, tickets $25-$45 adults, $15-$25 ages 18 & under: Feb 7, “Music Treasures To Love,” guest pianist Pauline Yang will join RSO for works of Rossini (Overture to l’italiana in Algeri), Saint-Saëns (Piano Concerto #2) & Beethoven (Symphony #7).

Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra, at Veteran’s Park Elementary School, 8 Governors St, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-3889.

Jan 25, performance 4 pm, call for ticket prices, works of Beethoven (Seventh Symphony, 2nd movement), Haydn (Symphony 104, 1st movement), Ives (The Unanswered Question) & Copland (Appalachian Spring suite), RSYO’s string quartet & wind ensemble will also perform.

Films _________________

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

Jan 23-29: Big Fish (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 4 pm; Calendar Girls (PG-13), daily 7:25 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 4:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 & 4:20 pm; In America (PG-13), daily 7:10 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:45, 2:50 & 5 pm; Something’s Gotta Give(PG-13), daily 6:50 & 9:25 pm, Fri 4:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4:10 pm,

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

Jan 25: A Tale of Winter (in French w/ subtitles), 2 pm, free screening sponsored by Alliance Française of Northwestern CT.

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

Jan 23-29: The Magdalene Sisters (R), daily 7 & 9:05 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Western CT State University/Student Center, 181 White St (midtown campus), Danbury. Call 837-8486.

Feb 4-27, 8th Annual Festival of African Films: Feb 4, Daresalam (Let There Be Peace), 1 pm (in Arabic w/ subtitles); Feb 6, Daresalam (Let There Be Peace), 7:30 pm (see Feb 4); Feb 11, Faat Kine, 1 pm (in French & Wolof w/ subtitles); Feb 12, Faat Kine, 7:30 pm (see Feb 11); Feb 19, Ndeysaan (Oh, Life!), 1 pm (in Wolof w/ subtitles); Feb 20, Ndeysaan (Oh, Life!), 7:30 pm (see Feb 19); Feb 25, Thunderbolt, 1 pm (in English, Ibo & Yoruba w/ subtitles); Feb 27, Thunderbolt, 7:30 pm (see Feb 25).

For Kids & Families _________

Jan 24: Open House & Puppet Play at Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Newtown, 10 am-noon, free, visit classrooms, meet teachers & learn about curriculum of nursery-grade 8 school, also performance of Shingebiss, based on Native American legend, by early childhood teachers; 364-1113.

Jan 24: “Creativity Safari” workshop at The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 10 am-12:30 pm, adm $5 adults, free ages 12 & under, family rates available, arts workshop led by Margaret DeMarino will encourage participants to tap into their inner artists & explore arts in variety of styles & formats to create “symphonies” & stories, improv comedy & scripted scene work; 203-753-0381 x10.

Jan 24-25: “Roxy Fox & The Baby Dinosaurs,” Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven, Sat 11 am, Sun 1 pm, free program (w/ museum adm of $8 adults, $6 seniors, $5 ages 3-18) by puppeteer Betty Baisden is part of weekend-long celebration & other events for opening of new major exhibition “Dinosaur Eggs, Nests and Young”; 203-432-5050.

Jan 25: “Sword in The Stone” workshop & performance, The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, pre-performance workshop 1-2 pm (ages 7-11 invited to explore the tools actors use incl mime & theatrical expression to create diverse characters, $25 incl performance), performance (2:30, $5 for show only) by Shakesperience Productions Inc of The Sword in The Stone, suitable for all ages; 203-753-0381 x10.

Jan 25: Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra concert at Veteran’s Park Elementary School, 8 Governors St, Ridgefield, 4 pm, call for ticket prices, first performance of new year will incl works of Beethoven (Seventh Symphony, 2nd movement), Haydn (Symphony 104, 1st movement), Ives (The Unanswered Question) & Copland (Appalachian Spring suite), RSYO’s string quartet & wind ensemble will also perform; 203-438-3889.

Jan 29: “The Writer’s Voice” open mic at Escape to The Arts, Regional YMCA of Western CT, 293 Main St, Danbury, sign ups for open mic begin 7 pm, readings start at 7:15, featured program & reading by Dr Gerard Brooker; 794-1413

Feb 1: Steve Johnson’s Magic Variety Show, Edmond Town Hall auditorium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1:30 & 3:30 pm, tickets $5, 2nd Annual Children’s Show hosted by Newtown Jr Women’s Club will offer 45 minutes of magic, comedy, juggling & audience participation for all ages; 364-0466.

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

Free public programs: Jan 29, Doggie Storytime w/ Paula & Tyler, 11 am, preschool-age story time about dogs w/ special guests Paul Goldsmith & her dog Tyler.

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

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Jan 28, Young Adult Book & Movie Discussion, 4:30-7:30 pm, readers in grades 5-8 invited to watch screening of Holes (rated PG) & then join discussion based on the book by Louis Sachar, pizza will be served, registration requested; Feb 3, Creative Chocolates for Valentine’s Day, 3:30-5 pm, $5 supply fee (registration required, fee payable day of workshop; snow date Feb 10 if needed), students grades 6 & up invited to join Diane Buchanan in creating painted lollipops, peppermint bark & peanut butter cups.

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

Saturday Series For Children, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15 (series discounts available): Jan 31, “Super Scientific,” a funny, whimsical look at the world of science.

Miscellaneous ___________

Jan 24: Winterfest 2004, Tarrywile Park, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury, 1-4 pm, celebrate the season w/ free demos, hikes, ice fishing (demo 2 pm), beginner’s hike (1 pm), intermediate hike (1:45), ice/cold wter rescue demo (2 pm), mini orienteering clinic (2 pm) & more; 744-3130.

Jan 24: Ghost of A Chance mystery dinner, Unitarian Universalist Church of Greater Bridgeport, 96 Chapel St, Stratford, dinner at 6:30, show begins at 7, tickets $30; 203-378-1020.

Jan 24: CT Contacts Dance Party for Singles, Colonial Tavern, Rte 67, Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl hot buffet & desserts, dancing to mix of DJ selections, no jeans permitted; 203-468-1144.

Jan 25: “Open Visions Forum: Andrea Mitchell,” Fairfield Univ Quick Center, North Benson Rd, Fairfield, 7:30 pm, tickets $22 (discounts for students & seniors), chief foreign affairs correspondent for NBC News will speak as part of annual lecture series; 203-254-4000 x2726.

Jan 27: Garden Club of Newtown meeting, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1 pm, free & open to non-members, slide program by bluebird expert Fred Comstock on creating a backyard atmosphere for Eastern bluebirds, how to increase population, myths & other information about bluebirds; 270-1108.

Jan 29: “The Writer’s Voice” open mic at Escape to The Arts, Regional YMCA of Western CT, 293 Main St, Danbury, sign ups for open mic begin 7 pm, readings start at 7:15, featured program & reading by Dr Gerard Brooker; 794-1413

Jan 31: Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, tickets $15, singles & couples invited to enjoy dancing to music provided by DJ, dance lessons at 8, performance (9:30) by Andrey & Anastasia Abrashin (reigning National Professional American style 9-dance champions), light refreshments; 203-374-7308.

Feb 1: Stratford Baseball Card & Sport Memorabilia Show, Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-3 pm, adm $3 adults, 99 CENTS ages 10 & under, special appearance by Yankees legend Jim Leyritz (12-1 pm), also dealers from 5 states w/ sport & vintage cards, new sets, wax boxes, memorabilia & other related collectibles; 364-1209.

Feb 1: Dramatic reading of Tom Ziegler’s Grace and Glorie, First Congregational Church, 6 Kirby Rd, Washington Green, 4 pm, adm $10, reading w/ Lenka Peterson as Gracie, Marla Truini as Glorie & Rob Pawlikowski as narrator, directed by Jack Gilpin, proceeds to benefit Three Towns for Sar-E-Pol; 860-868-0569.

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: Jan 30, One-Day Mammal Tracking Class, call for start time, $50 fee, reservations required, Valerie Major & Nick Wisniewski (owners of a tracking school in MA) will lead all-day outdoor (rain, shine, snow or bitter cold) class on animal signs & following tracks of resident mammals, limited to 15 people age 15 or older, moderate to strenuous hiking, dress for outdoors, bring lunch & hot drink to be eaten on trail.

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

Free public programs: Jan 28, We’re Talking About… Women Authors discussion, 7 pm, discussion of Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi.

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

Free public programs: Jan 27, “Historic Homes & Buildings in Bethel,” 7 pm (snow date Feb 3), slide lecture by Bethel Town Historian Patrick Wild about landmark building & private homes in town.

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

Programs free unless noted: Jan 27, “Do-Ahead Chinese Party,” 1 pm, cooking demo & entertainment tips by Norma Chang will help create stress-free Chinese New Year celebrations, reservations requested (space limited); Jan 29, “Getting Your Affairs In Order,” 7:30 pm, program by Attorney Robert Fisher on legal issues incl power of attorney, living wills & other ways to keep personal affairs in order; Feb 3, book discussion, 1 pm, Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough.

Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4505.

BookTalk series, 6:30-8 pm, free, refreshments, titles as follows: Jan 26, Charles Dickens’ Bleak House.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. (Jan-March) Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 778-8337.

Wednesday Evening Events series, 7:30-8:30 pm, sm donation requested, programs follow weekly museum member meetings, programs as follows, call if inclement weather: Jan 28, “Steam in The Snow” by Dan Gallo; Feb 4, “Signal Towers” by Bob Gambling.

Flagpole Photographers, C.H. Booth Library meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 270-1943, 426-0558.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: next meeting Feb 19.

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

Jan 24, Timber Wolf Program, 1:30-2:30 pm, $8 adults, $4 children, program by trainer Michael LeBlanc will introduce participants to a live timber wolf & explain the connections between wolves & Native American culture & how the 2 have affected each other; Jan 31, Trickster Tales, 12:30-3:30 pm, $5 adults, $3 children, stories told by Rebecca Stoughton (Sisseton-Wahpton, Dakota Nation) from various Native American Nations that are told only in winter months when Earth is sleeping & regenerating, all appropriate for all ages.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Call 426-1533.

Through Feb 28 (programs on Saturdays), “Wine, Food & Eagles” series, $50 (plus tips & gratuity, reservations mandatory), spend morning watching eagles at Bald Eagle Observatory in Southbury, take private tour of vineyard & then lunch at Compass (Main St South, Newtown).

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897, 270-4340.

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome, bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Jan 24, Rockefeller Park, Tarrytown, N.Y. (Nancy Zigler, 732-2618); Jan 31, Seaside Park, Bridgeport (Ann Kozar, 374-6679); Feb 7, Fairfield Hills property & Governor’s Horse Guard Barn (Ester Nichols, 426-2897); Feb 14, #6 Reservoir, West Hartford (Idilko Gramling, 203-263-0086).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, Newtown. Call 270-4377.

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

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6654.

Through Jan 25, “10th Annual Color in January Show & Sale,” at Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, daily 9 am-5 pm, artist demos each Sat-Sun at noon (Jan 24, oil by Barbara Goodspeed; Jan 25, watercolor by Richard Ochs).

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meetings, 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: Jan 28, Elizabeth Thomas; Feb 4, Ernie Blue; Feb 11, 2nd Annual Erotic Poetry Open Mic Night, bring your sexiest, funniest & bawdiest erotic poems, or erotic poetry by famous & not-so-famous poets, dressing for the occasion encouraged, leave the kids home.

Theatre ______________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Brookfield Playhouse, Rte 25, Brookfield Center.

Playwrights Collective readings, 1 pm, suggested donation $5, readings of original work followed by audience discussions: Jan 25, It’s All Relative by John McLaughlin, Jr.

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

The Long Christmas Ride Home, through Feb 15, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets ($30-$40 during previews) $38-$55.

On Stage II: The Story, Feb 4-March 14 (previews Feb 4-10, opening night Feb 11), curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets ($30-$40 during previews) $38-$55.

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

The Irish… and How They Got That Way, through Feb 1, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, call for ticket information.

Square One Theatre Company, Stratford Theatre, 2422 Main St, Stratford. Call 203-375-8778.

QED, Jan 30-Feb 14, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat (*Feb 14 only) 4 pm, Sun (Feb 1 & 8) 2 pm, tickets $16 adults, $15 seniors & children.

Stamford TheatreWorks, 200 Strawberry Hill Ave (on Sacred Heart campus), Stamford. Call 203-359-4414.

Crumbs from the Table of Joy, Jan 28-Feb 15, curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, Sun (first weekend only) 7 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $16-$29.

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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.