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.

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

*(new show) Feb 1-March 28, “Living With Fine Craft: The Heart of The Home,” multi-media national invitational juried exhibition of fine handmade functional craft work (ceramics, fiberwork, glassware, metalwork & woodwork) for the home focuses on items that can be used for fine cooking, serving & elegant dining; Feb 1, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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.

Through Feb 29, “Shadows & Strings: Puppetry Around the Globe,” puppets from around the globe offer a look at the wide range of styles & cultures where the ancient art of puppetry has emerged & thrived over the centuries.

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) Through 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. Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm, Sun 12-10 pm. 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.

*(new show) Feb 4-April 12, “Nature Impressions,” multi-hued artistic quilts “capturing the rich beauties of the natural world in fabric” by Sandra Scott; Feb 8, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

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.

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

Through Feb 18, “Etchings, Watercolors & Oils: Robert Andrew Parker,” watercolor portraits by Mr Parker, also works in other mediums.

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.

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

Through Feb 15, “Annual All Members’ Show,” featuring 1-2 works by each RGA member.

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.

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 Feb 8, “2004 New Members’ Exhibition,” works by Silvermine Guild members who were elected into membership during 2003 – ceramics by Frances Palmer, paintings by Kirill Doron, Linda Merk-Gould, Michael Manning & Justin Wiest, photography by Thomas Bernstein, Cynthia Guest & Alan Shulik, prints by Su Tamsett, sculpture by Sharon Kurland, ceramics & sculpture by Judy Henderson, drawings & mixed media installations by Sheila Hale, paintings & mixed media by Joan Ogden, photography & mixed media pcs by Yolanda Vasquez Petrocelli, and sculpture, mixed media & photography by Miggs Burroughs.

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.

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

*(new show) Opening Feb 7,  “Robert Rauschenberg: Current Scenarios,” new & early work by the contemporary American master marking artist’s first major presence at Wadsworth in 40 years incl 18 works from new “Scenarios” series, 2 portfolios from 1970 “Currents” series, plus earlier works from public & private collections.

Through Feb 15, “Grandma Moses in the 20th Century,” works by Anna Mary Robertson (“Grandma”) Moses (1860-1961) for reexamination of artist’s work on its own merits & within context of modern art history; Feb 3, “Grandma Moses’s Style” gallery talk, noon, incl w/ museum adm, presented by Wadsworth acting director of education Dana Engstrom DeLoach.

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.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Burlingham House Visitor Center Hours: Thurs-Sun 9:30 am-4 pm. Call 203-834-1896.

Through Feb 29, “Artists at Weir Farm: Eugenio Espinosa,” myth-like reflections of Mr Espinosa’s childhood memories created w/ acrylic paint on mylar & wood.

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 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 ____

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.

Feb 10: The Banchieri Choir & A Completely Different Note at Shepaug Valley Middle-High School, 159 South St, Danbury, 7 pm, tickets $10 adults, free for children, performance of 6-member a capella ensemble from Kodaly Academy (Banchieri Singers) & 10-member male group from UConn (CDN) w/ love for music & harmony & a wide repertoire, also performance by Shepaug Middle & High Schoo Choruses & Competition Choirs, sponsored by Shepaug Friends of Music; 860-210-7895, 860-868-6200.

Feb 10: Pianist Frederic Chiu at WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 students & seniors, all-Prokofiev program will be performed by “a pianistic genius”; 837-8356, 837-8486.

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

Feb 10, pianist Frederic Chiu, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 students & seniors, internationally celebrated pianist will perform works of Prokofiev, sponsored by WCSU Keyboard Club.

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: 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).

Films _________________

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

Jan 30-Feb 5: 21 Grams (R), daily 6:40 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 3:50 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm; Big Fish (PG-13), daily 7:05 & 9:45 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4:20 pm; Calendar Girls (PG-13), daily 6:50 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 & 4:10 pm; Girl with The Pearl Earring (PG-13), daily 7:20 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 5:05 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:40, 2:50 & 5:05 pm;

Sunday Classic with Dr Lowry, 10:30 am, $10 incl film, pre-screening info & post-screening discussion:

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

 “Foreign Film Series: Newtown a la Cannes,” screenings 7:30 pm, free: Feb 12, Hop (from Belgium, in French & Dutch w/ English subtitles).

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

Jan 30-Feb 5: Under The Tuscan Sun (PG-13), Fri-Sat, Mon-Thurs 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Now showing: Coral Reef Adventure, daily 11 am, 12:10, 2:10 & 3:20 pm; Dolphins, Sat-Sun 2 & 4 pm; Mysteries of Egypt, daily 11 am; Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey, Mon-Fri 1 pm, Fri-Sun also 6:30 & 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 5 pm.

Through March 14: Young Black Stallion, through Feb 12 – Mon-Thurs 11 am, 2:10 & 3:20 pm, Fri-Sun 11 am, 2:10, 3:20 & 7 pm.

Quick Center at Fairfield University, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Russian Film Series, screenings 7 pm, adm $7 ($30/series): Feb 9, Vanya on 42nd Street.

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).

For Kids & Families _________

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.

Feb 6: Kindergarten Friday at Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 1:30 pm, free (registration requested/space limited), kindergarteners (or children age 5) invited to special program of games, stories & craft or video, continues first Fri/month into May; 452-5459.

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.

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

Free public programs: Feb 5, Cold Weather Tales Storytime, 11 am, heart-warming stories to take the chill away incl Winter Walk by Ann Burg; Feb 8, reading & book signing w/ children’s book author Rose-Marie Provencher, ages 3-10 will enjoy new picture book Slithery Jake.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel. Call 794-8756 x4.

Feb 17, Scrapbooking Program for Teens, 1:30-3 pm, program for students in grades 6-12 to create safe & beautiful environment for photos & other memorabilia, bring at least 8-10 photos to work with (nothing that cannot be replaced & no Polaroids), materials provided.

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

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: 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.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

Polka Dot Kids Theatre Series, monthly series w/ guest performers, shows at 10 am & noon, tickets $12, series tickets & group discounts available: Feb 7, Bubblemania, unique program by Casey Carle combines artistic skills, visual comedy, quick wit, swing music & 25-foot square bubbles & bubble sculptures.

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

Young Audience series, performances 1 & 3 pm, tickets $12 adults, $10 children: Feb 8, Under The Sea with Silly Jellyfish, performed by Hudson Vagabond Puppets, for grades K-5.

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 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.

Jan 31-Feb 2: Alpaca Boutique Grand Reopening, Alpaca Connection, 132 Orchard Ave, Woodbury, 10 am-5 pm, 90+ alpacas on farm to meet, full boutique of items created from their fiber; 203-266-9002.

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.

Feb 1: “Recognizing The Blessing In Apparent Diversity: A Practitioner’s Insights,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by hatha yoga teacher Jackie Sicard will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Feb 6: Newtown Singles “Meet & Mingle” event, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-9 pm; 261-4210.

Feb 6: Annual Card/Game Dessert Party at St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel, begins 7:30 pm (snow date Feb 7), adm $5, BYO cards and/or board games, public invited to join others for evening of old-fashioned fun, light refreshments available, proceeds will benefit church’s mission outreach; 792-0197, 743-1494.

Feb 6: CT Contacts Singles Dance Party, Anthony’s Lake Club, West Kenosia Ave, Danbury, 8 pm-1 am, $15, dinner & dessert buffets, soft drinks, “dress to impress”/no jeans, dancing to DJ selections; 203-468-1144.

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 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: Café Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, public invited to join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for conversations in French, topics decided at beginning of program, BYO light refreshments, all levels of French speakers welcome; 203-263-4096, 262-0626.

Feb 7: Benefit Valentine’s Day Chicken BBQ & Square Dance, Roxbury Town Hall, Rte 67, Roxbury, dinner 6 pm, dance will run 7-11 pm (family hour at 7), $15 dinner & dance, $10 dance only, $5 ages 12 & under (incl dinner), full dinner followed by dance w/ live music by Country Spice & calling by expert caller Culver Griffin, proceeds to benefit Roxbury Relief Fund & Kondwa Day Care Center (Zambia, Africa); 860-355-9020.

Feb 11: “Edible Landscaping & Herbs,” Newtown Senior Center, Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:30 pm, free program by organic farmer, author & environmental artist Bill Duesing (owner, Old Solar Farm, Oxford), sponsored by Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown; 426-5359.

Feb 13: Frank McCourt at The Meeting House, on the green/Rte 47, Washington Green, 7 pm, free (reservations necessary, limited seating), internationally celebrated author will continue The Gunnery School’s 2003-04 Distinguished Author Series; 860-868-7334 x251.

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 traill; Feb 8, Sunday Afternoon at The Bent, 2-4 pm, moderate hiking (or snowshoeing & cross-country skiing, weather permitting), then visit the barn for hot cocoa & coffee.

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel.

“Conversations from The Other Side” by Cheryl Scheinin, programs 2nd & 4th Sun each month, 4-6 pm, $30: Next program Feb 8.

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

Free public programs: Feb 4, “Historic Homes of Bethel,” 7 pm (rescheduled from Jan 27, will be at Bethel Municipal Center, 1 School St), presentation by Bethel Town Historian Patrick Wild.

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

Programs free unless noted: Feb 3, book discussion, 1 pm, Mornings on Horseback by David McCullough; Feb 5, book discussion, 7:30 pm, Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz; Feb 9, book discussion, 1 pm, The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. (Jan-March) Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm OR (April-Dec) Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 778-8337.

1st Sat each month (April-Nov), Rail Yard Local, adm to msm incl rides through rail yard in 1920s era passenger coach w/ stop on state’s only operating turntable. (see Arts listings for permanent & changing exhibits info)

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: Feb 4, “Signal Towers” by Bob Gambling; Feb 11, slide program by Ron Smith.

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 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; also Sun, Feb 15, 22 & 29), “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 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 Singles, meetings at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 261-4210.

Monthly “Meet & Mingle” events, 7-9 pm: Next program Feb 6.

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

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

Sacred Grounds/Trinity Productions workshops, 24 Alpine Circle, Sandy Hook or Brookfield Commons, 246 Federal Rd, Suite C-23A, Brookfield (call for location), or by appt, or in-home by appt. Call 426-9448.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: Jan 30, “Touched By Angels,” 7:30 pm, $10 donation, evening of spirituality, prayer & healing led by Rev Nancy Lawrence.

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: 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 ______________

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

La Cage Aux Folles: 20th Anniversary, through Feb 8, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $37.50-$45.50.

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

The Mystery of Irma Vep – A Penny Dreadful, through Feb 8, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun-Thurs 7:30 pm, call for mat schedule (selected Wed, Sat & Sun).

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, through 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 .