Antiques Shows______

Feb 10: 15th Annual Antiques & Collectibles Show, Naugatuck High School, 543 Rubber Ave, Naugatuck, 9 am-4 pm (no early birds), adm $3, 60+ dealers; 203-723-2588.

March 1: Newtown Historical Society Annual Spring Antiques Show & Sale, Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 10 am-4 pm, presented by & main fundraiser for historical society; 426-5937.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through Feb 24: “2007 Emerging Artist Award Exhibition: Marti Cormand,” paintings & drawings that focus on tightly-rendered landscapes which explore the nature of representation in the digital age.

Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Wed-Sat 1-5 pm. Call 203-367-7917.

*(new show) Feb 1-29: “Black History Celebration,” photographs by Yves Francois Wilson & Deana Lawson, also slave artifacts collected by Craig Kelly; Feb 2, opening reception, 4-7 pm (live music by Renard Boissiere, 6 pm; food by Miss Thelma’s Soul Food Restaurant); Feb 3, screenings of James Brown – Soul Survivor & Jim Brown: All-American Hero, 3 pm; Feb 10, screening of A Duke Named Ellington, 3 pm; Feb 15, Author Program: Peniel Joseph, 7:30 pm, presentation & book signings w/ historian, activist & author of Waiting ‘Til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America; Feb 17, screening of Unforgivable Blackness, 3 pm; Feb 22, Black Power: Now & Then, 7:30 pm, panel discussion featuring former members of Black Panther Party, Craig Kelly (NAACP), Dr Georgia Day (Rainy Faye Bookstore), musician James Moss & youth counselor Kenny Jackson will cover the history of “The Movement” & how Black Power Movement of 60s helped change America forever; Feb 24, screenings of Fatal Flood (documentary about MS River flood of 1927) & Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker, 3 pm.

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 1-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — *(new show) Feb 1-29: “A Quartet of Photographers,” favorite images by award-winning photographers Art Anderson, Bob Berthier, Frank Gardner & Carol Gibson; Feb 7, slide lecture by Mr Berthier & Mr Gardner, starts 11:30 am, reception to follow.

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

*(new show) Feb 3-March 16: “PMC Decade,” traveling exhibition of 60+ pcs of artist-designed, handmade jewelry made of Precious Metal Clay by nearly 3 dozen of country’s most innovative metalsmiths, showcasing how PMC & its applications have evolved since its introduction 10 yrs ago; Feb 3, opening reception, 1-4 pm, also gallery curator’s talk at 3 pm.

Fairfield Arts Council, 70 Sanford St, Fairfield. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm, Sat 1-4 pm. Call 203-319-1419.

Through Feb 28: “A Printer’s Eye: The Print Collection of James Reed,” approx 50 selections from the extensive print collection of artist, master printmaker & teacher James Reed; Feb 5, Brown Bag Lunch, 12:30-1:30 pm.

Through Feb 28: mixed media drawings by e.b. tierney. 

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Call 203-365-7650.

Through Feb 28: “Women Of A Certain Age,” works by Dotty Attie, Louise Bourgeois, Ann Chernow, Nancy Spero & Selina Trieff, all depicting or referring to women or the female of a species.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, New Haven, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-865-0400.

Through Feb 3: “A Christmas Journey Around Italy,” 17 Italian crèches, ranging from 2 ft wide to more than 13 ft wide by 11½ ft deep, from through Italy (incl Rome, Venice, Naples, Sicily & the Alps), from a region w/ reputation as creating finest Nativity scenes in Italy.

Through Feb 3: “The Swiss Guard: Celebrating 500 Years of Papal Service,” armor, weaponry, uniforms & documents of the world’s oldest security force.

Through April 6: “Crosses and Crucifixes,” more than 160 works of art symbolizing the death & resurrection of Jesus Christ through mix of antique & contemporary examples.

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

Through March 23: “Cover Stories: Quilts and Bed Coverings from Regional Collections,” 30-plus quilts, bed coverings & other needlework, most never before displayed, chronicle the lives of Colonial era families, the development of textile production, sewing machine manufacturing & needle & button making, all circa 1770-1900; Feb 7, “Share Your Quilt Stories,” 4 pm, reservations requested, view quilts in exhibit & learn how your bed coverings fit into stylistic or social context, bring quilts from home to discuss w/ education coordinator Karen Pierce & other participants.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Mon 12-7 pm, Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am-2 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through Feb 18: “The Patterson Legacy: Three Generations of Artists,” paintings by Howard Ashman Patterson, his son Robert Burns Patterson & his grandsons David Burns Patterson & Michael Remington Patterson.

Morrison Gallery, Kent Village Barns, 8 Old Barn Rd (near Rte 7 at Rte 341), Kent. Hours: Wed-Sat 10:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 860-927-4501.

Through March 16: exhibition featuring works by internationally acclaimed artists Chris Armstrong, Bascove, Alexander Liberman, Billy Martin, Robert Andrew Parker, Eric Sloane, Michael Steiner, Yuri Vaschenko & Peter Woytuk.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Call 203-432-5050.

Through Feb 24: “Seeing Wonders: The Nature of Fly Fishing,” comprehensive overview of the history & techniques of fly fishing & fly tying, also displays of historic & celebrity rods, reels & entomology, supplemented w/ specimens from museum’s vertebrate zoology collections.

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, Sherman. Hours: Tues-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-354-2455.

Through Feb 29: “Portraits of Home and Beyond,” oils on canvas in impressionist style by Sara Bowman; Feb 3, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

*(new show) Feb 2-28: drawings & etchings by Colleen Kinsella, painted furniture & mural pcs by Joan Morosani & woodworking & paintings by Edith Read; Feb 2, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Westover School main dining room, 1237 Whittemore Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Hours: daily 8 am-5:30 pm (when school is in session). Call 203-758-2423.

Through Feb 7: “A Journey Towards Hope: A Pictorial History of Oberlin (Ohio), Abolition and the Underground Railroad,” photographs by Westover School alumna Coriana Close depicting homes that sheltered runaway slaves in their flight toward freedom during mid 1800s, all shot at night in order to place viewer in perspective of slave seeking shelter; Feb 7, Chapel Talk by Ms Close, call for start time.

Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours:  Mon-Thurs 10 am-4 pm, Sun 1-4. Call 762-7257.

Through Feb 3: “Toys and Trains at Wilton Heritage Museum,” presentation of multiple working train exhibits.

Woodbury Antiques and Fine Art, 473 Main St South, Woodbury. Call 266-4753.

Through Feb 24: “New England: We shall be as a City upon a Hill,” historic New England landscape paintings incl works by Carolyn M. Bell, E.C.Coates, George Mitchell, J.W. Bell, et al.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Call 203-432-2800.

*(new show) Feb 7-April 27: “The Lure of the East: British Orientalist Painting, 1830-1925,” approx 90 paintings, prints & drawings that depict sites & subjects that interested British artists, focusing on encounters between 19th Century British artists & the people & places of the Middle East; Feb 6, opening panel discussion, 5:30 pm, call for panelists; Feb 7, exhibition tour 11 am; Feb 12, Art in Context – A Critical Eye: John Frederick Lewis and the Uses of Orientalism,” 12:30 pm, led by independent scholar  Emily Weeks.

*(new show) Feb 7-April 27: “Pearls To Pyramids: British Visual Culture and The Levant, 1600-1830,” complement to “The Lure of The East,” exhibition explores the history of British cultural interchange w/ Middle East through trade, tourism, archaeological exploration & military interest.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Fairfield Follies Foundation, auditions at Central High School, 1 Lincoln Blvd, Bridgeport. Call 203-331-4104.

Feb 4-6: Auditions for 9th annual Fairfield Follies, 5-9 pm each night, directors seeking singers, dancers & jazz musicians from greater Bridgeport region for annual show, to be performed at Klein Auditorium May 16-18, those auditioning should prepare song of choosing from favorite Broadway musical & bring sheet music or instrumental recording, dancers be ready to learn dance combo to be taught at auditions (bring tap shoes), call phone # above or send e-mail to FolliesNow@optonline.net.

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 3 (behind firehouse), Sherman. Call 860-354-3622.

Feb 11-12: Auditions for The Guys, director Susan Abrams seeks 1 female actor (age 40-50) & 1 male (age 45-55) for April production of Anne Nelson’s drama, leave messages for director at theater (phone # above).

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

Feb 4-5: Casting call for Ron Hutchinson’s Moonlight and Magnolias, 7-9 pm, director Sonnie Osborne seeking 3 men & 1 woman for fast-paced comedy (character breakdowns available at TheatreWorks.us), all roles available, professional & amateur actors welcome, auditions will be readings from script, stipends available for all performers, technicians & directors, rehearsals to begin late Feb (usu Mon-Thurs eves), performances to be weekends April 18-May 10 (incl matinee Sun, May 4).

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Feb 2: NUMC Coffee House, 7:45–10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Road, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate Misc listing), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-9998.

Feb 2: FairWestSwing Swing Lessons & Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, doors open 7 pm, introductory swing lesson at 7:30, supplemental swing dance lesson 8:30, dancing 9:30-midnight, adm $15 (incl 1 dance lesson), $20 (for both lessons), $5 student discount, very beginner friendly event, no partner required, music by swing DJ, air conditioned & dehumidified hall, dances held 1st & 3rd Sat each month; 203-522-5341.   

Feb 7: First Thursday at The Mattatuck: Tommy Maia, Mattatuck Museum Arts & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30-7:30 pm, adm $15 ($7 museum members), performance by Waterbury native Tommy Maia, also wine & hors d’oeuvres, dance instruction & demos by CT Dance Theatre; 203-753-0381 x10.

Feb 9: The Wilfers at Congregation Adath Israel, 115 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, tickets $15/adv, $20/door ($10 each for groups 10+), performance by Stamford-based rock band formerly known as The Simms Brothers Band; 459-0089.

Feb 10: The Clarinet Quartet of US Military Academy Band, at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free performance by quartet dedicated to exploring & performing the literature written & transcribed for the ensemble, all members are part of Military Academy Concert Band’s clarinet section, program to incl variety of musical styles; 775-6241 x104.

Feb 10: Connecticut’s Own Concert Series: The Quadrivium Quartet, Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 4 pm, free, reservations strongly suggested (pre-registrants must arrive by 3:50 or risk losing seats); 203-762-3950.

Newtown Friends of Music, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, tickets $18, $16 seniors, free students in grades K-12 w/ ticket-holding adult, reception follows performances: Feb 10, Daedalus String Quartet, program to incl Haydn’s The Quinten Quartet, Leos Janacek’s “Intimate Letters” Quartet & Brahms’s String Quartet in A minor, Opus 51 No. 2.

Norwalk Youth Symphony, Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave, Norwalk. Call 203-866-4100.

Feb 10, NYS Winter Concert, 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students & seniors, performances by Prelude, Philharmonia, Concert & Principal orchestras will incl well-known works such as “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson (celebrating the composer’s 100th birthday), Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite, Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Felix Mendelssohn, and three movements from Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique.

Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 268-8570.

Weekly Ballroom Dancing, Wed 7-11 pm, adm $15 (incl buffet), music provided by DJ, free dance lesson (7:15-7:45 pm), cash bar, door prizes, singles, couples & beginners all welcome.

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-438-3889.

Concerts at Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Rd/Rte 116, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $25-$50: Feb 2, “Innovative Innocence,” Jose-Luis Novo will conduct program of Ravel’s Mother Goose & Mahler’s Symphony No 4 in G Major, guest soprano Audrey Luna.

Young Persons Concert Series, at Trinity Church, 651 Pequot Ave, Southport. Call 203-254-0123.

Free concerts, 2 pm, suitable for ages 5-17 (usu about an hour long): Feb 9, Amedeo Modigliani String Quartet, to be followed by free master class (call 203-938-3843 for details & registration).

Films _________________

Feb 9-10: The Tribes of the Southeast, The Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, 2 pm, $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children, screenings will continue 6-part film festival featuring TBS series The Native Americans; 860-868-0518.

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

Searching For Shakespeare, free screenings: Feb 12, King Lear, 7 pm (1997 release, starring Ian Holme).

Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury. Call 797-4533.

Feb 7: screening of Early Art, 3 pm, free screening of film narrated by Sister Wendy Beckett that looks at art from cave paintings to Gothic era in Europe, sponsored by Richter Arts Assn.

“European Film Classics: From Silents to the New Wave,” free screenings, Sun 2 pm, optional discussions follow, sound films will be subtitled (not dubbed): Feb 10, Grand Illusion (France, 1937).

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm & most Monday holidays (call ahead). Call 203-372-3521.

Planetarium shows: One Small Step and Larry – Cat in Space, call museum for screenings schedule.

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

Feb 1-7: August Rush (PG), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

The Native Americans Film Festival, included w/ museum adm ($5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children): Feb 9-10, The Tribes of the Southeast, screenings at 2 pm.

Western CT State University in Student Center, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury. Call 837-8486.

12th Annual African Film Festival, screenings Wed at noon (unless noted) & Fri 7 pm, free & open to public: Feb 6 & 8, Forgiveness (2005, in English & Afrikaans w/ English subtitles); Feb 13 & (Thurs) 14 (7 pm), Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire (2004, Canadian & Rwandian in English).

For Kids & Families _________

Feb 3: Magician-Illusionist Stephen Christopher, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, performances 1 & 4 pm, tickets $5, performances by Mr Christopher sponsored by Newtown Junior Women’s Club; 270-6569.

Feb 7: “Kids Click: a hands-on computer workshop,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, 3:30-4:30 pm (registration required), free workshop for children in grades 3-4 will teach basic skills to help w/ homework, using library’s catalog & web pages, & using the Internet safely; 797-4528.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Feb 2, Valentine Craft, 1 pm, $3 material fee due at registration (in person; no phone registrations), ages 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for one-hour workshop; Feb 10, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 2 pm, performance by Serendipity Players of Sabrina’s Encore Productions will offer unique interpretation of Shakespeare work, w/ original score, recommended for ages 5 & up.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Feb 5, Creative Chocolates for Valentine’s Day, 3-5 pm (snow date Feb 12), $6 supply fee, readers in grades 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for workshop.

Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4505 (Junior Dept, 797-4528).

Feb 10, Chinese New Year festivities, 1-4 pm, all ages invited to join library staff members for celebration of the Year of the Rat, activities to incl fan dance performances, music ensemble & Chinese folk songs (1:30-2:30), cooking demo & storytelling by Chef Norma Chang (2:30-3:30), plus New Year Parade (3:30).

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

The Native Americans Film Festival, included w/ museum adm ($5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children): Feb 9-10, The Tribes of the Southeast, screenings at 2 pm.

Norwalk Youth Symphony, Norwalk City Hall, 125 East Ave, Norwalk. Call 203-866-4100.

Feb 10, NYS Winter Concert, 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students & seniors, performances by Prelude, Philharmonia, Concert & Principal orchestras will incl well-known works such as “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson (celebrating the composer’s 100th birthday), Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet Suite, Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream by Felix Mendelssohn, and three movements from Hector Berlioz’s Symphonie Fantastique.

Young Persons Concert Series, at Trinity Church, 651 Pequot Ave, Southport. Call 203-254-0123.

Free concerts, 2 pm, suitable for ages 5-17 (usu about an hour long): Feb 9, Amedeo Modigliani String Quartet, to be followed by free master class (call 203-938-3843 for details & registration).

Miscellaneous ___________

Feb 2: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner incl salad, desserts, and soft drinks/coffee raises funds each month for church, all welcome, coffee house/musical event follows (see separate Concerts listing); 426-9998.

Feb 2: Café Conversation, Southbury Library, 100 Poverty Rd, Southbury, 10 am-noon, read & discuss articles about France in French in relaxed atmosphere (or listen to the language), BYO coffee & pastries, presented by Alliance Française of NW CT; 266-5588.

Feb 2: Connecticut ConTacts Singles Dance, Colonial Tavern, 24 Hawley Rd, Oxford, 8 pm-12:30 am, adm $20 incl dinner buffet & dessert, dancing (DJ selections of Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), “dress to impress” (no bluejeans); 203-468-1144.

Feb 5: Mardi Gras Pancake Supper, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 5-7 pm, adm $3/person, max $10/family, presented by St Thomas’ Church School; 748-2089.

Feb 6: “Live, Learn, Laugh and Love: Self-Praise & Respect,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, 10:30 am-noon, free program (registration requested) for moms w/ tots (children welcome at program) by counselor & educator Rebecca Blonski (Families Network of Western CT) will cover developing self-praise in children, also teaching & modeling respect, plus activity to make old-fashioned valentines w/ artist Katie Stevenson; 797-4528 (registration; call 797-4505 if inclement weather).

Feb 6: “The Legacy of The Amistad,” Litchfield History Museum, 7 South St, Litchfield, 6:30 pm, adm $3, slide presentation by Judith Schiff (chief research archivist, Yale University; also expert on Roger Sherman Baldwin & the Amistad papers at Yale Library), time for Q&A to follow presentation, first of 4 programs by Litchfield Historical Society for Black History Month; 860-567-4501.

Feb 7: MFA Lecture Series: David Johnson, Western CT State Univ White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St, Danbury, 11 am, free lecture by Mr Johnson will continue spring series of lectures by leading contemporary fine artists sponsored by school’s Master of Fine Arts program; 837-8881.

Feb 9: WinterFest 2008, Tarrywile Park, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury, 10 am-1 pm, ongoing demos on winter cooking, camping, snowshoeing, ice fishing, ice or cold water rescue, ice carving, arctic dog sled presentation, also snowshoe hike (11 am, led by EMS volunteers, open to age 18 & up), fruitcake toss (12:30 pm, prizes for winners in 5 categories), marshmallow roasting by campfire; 744-3130.

Feb 9: Valentine’s Day Chocolate Fest, American Legion Hall, 6 Bryan Hall Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, 11 am-2 pm, $5 adults/plate, $2 children/plate, chocolate fountain, treats, fun for all ages, sponsored by Washington Republican Town Committee; 860-868-2676.

Feb 9: “Good Food For Change: a mid-winter blues buster,” Mattatuck Unitarian Universalist Society, 122 South Pomperaug Ave (behind Middle Quarter Mall), Woodbury, 6:30-9 pm, $20, organic wines, savory tapas made w/ grass fed beef, info from local farmers & local green experts & more, presented by New Morning Store; 203-263-4868.

Feb 10: “Vampires in New England: The Archaeological Evidence,” The Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, 6:30 pm, adm $5, lecture by state archaeologist Dr Nicholas Bellantoni will cover beliefs in vampires that once prevailed among 18th Century New Englanders & the archaeological proof for its existence in CT; 860-868-0518.

Feb 11: “A History of Connecticut Parks,” C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free presentation by David Levy will cover history of some of the state’s state parks, forests & greenways, hosted by Newtown Historical Society; 426-5937.

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

Programs free unless noted: Feb 5, Non-Fiction Book Group, 1 pm, discussion of The Looming Tower: Al Qaeda and the Road to 9/11 by Lawrence Wright, newcomers welcome; Feb 11, Daytime Book Discussion, 1 pm, discussion of Philippa Gregory’s The Other Boleyn Girl, newcomers/drop-ins always welcome.

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

Free programs unless noted, no registration needed (unless noted): Feb 6, “Live, Learn, Laugh and Love: Self-Praise & Respect,” 10:30 am-noon, free program (registration requested) for moms w/ tots (children welcome at program) by counselor & educator Rebecca Blonski (Families Network of Western CT) will cover developing self-praise in children, also teaching & modeling respect, plus activity to make old-fashioned valentines w/ artist Katie Stevenson (call 797-4528 to register, 797-4505 if inclement weather).

Newtown Hikers. Call 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 10 am (winter start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Feb 2, Bee Brook, Washington  (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); Feb 9, Huntington State Park (Len Patti,  426-3632).

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.

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

Seasonal: Observation area open to March 12 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. 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 $24/year.

Theatre ______________

Feb 17: From Page to Stage: Me Me Me Me!  Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport, 7 pm, $10 sugg donation, new series of play readings (or works in progress) & post-reading discussions w/ playwright & director will continue w/ eccentric one-man opera by Jed Wolf about an inventor who tries to market his work in an indifferent world; 203-333-3666.

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

Let Me Down Easy, through Feb 3, curtain Tues-Wed & Sun 7 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $31.25-$61.25.

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

Love Letters, Feb 8-23, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $22 adults, $18 seniors & students; Feb 8, proceeds from opening night performance will benefit Petra Herceg Fund; Feb 14, special Valentine’s Day performance, curtain 8 pm.

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

Rabbit Hole, Feb 1-16, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm (note: Twilight Matinee 4 pm on Feb 16, no 2 pm show), tickets $18 adults, $17 students & seniors.

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

Tea At Five, through Feb 16, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Feb 10 only) 2 pm, tickets $20.

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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 for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.