Antiques Shows______

Feb 7: 17th Annual Antiques & Collectibles Antiques Show, Naugatuck High School, 543 Rubber Ave, Naugatuck, 9 am-4 pm, $4, $2 children, 60+ dealers;

203-723-2588.

Feb 7: 44th Annual Tolland Historical Society Antiques Show, Tolland Middle School, Old Cathole Rd, Tolland, 10 am-4 pm (early buying 8:30 am, $15), adm $8, 65 exhibitor booths, lunch menu available, proceeds benefit historical society; 860-974-1875.

Art Exhibits____ _____

Blue Z Coffee House, 127 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-364-1003, 203-364-0631.

*(new show) Feb 5-28: mixed media works by Doug Calderone, many of which depict rock & rock musicians; Feb 5, opening reception, 7-9 pm.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown;

.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through Feb 27: images by members of Candlewood Camera Club.

Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rtes 133 & 25), Brookfield Center; 740-8140.

Through March 31: “Toys,” Civil War & Victorian era dolls, collections of lead soldiers, vintage Disney toys, pre war games, 19th C child’s sewing machine, early Gilbert erector sets, vintage cowboy caps & pistols & much more for children of all ages.

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

Through Feb 13: “Honoring Abraham Lincoln,” small-scale display featured Lincoln related items from CHS collection in honor of the bicentennial of his birth.

Through March 25: “Amistad – A True Story of Freedom,” award-winning, multi-media exhibit throughout five galleries explores the Africans’ struggle for freedom and the Connecticut people who helped them achieve it in New London, New Haven, Hartford & Farmington, following the 1839 revolt on the ship Amistad.

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

Through March 8: “Into the Light,” paintings embedded w/ history by Katie Danahy Samuelson, who paints abstractly w/ oil in a style reminiscent to 1950s abstraction.

Through March 8: “Lost and Found,” paintings enhanced w/ collage by Joy Floyd.

Koenig Frameworks and Art Gallery, 97 South Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-1887.

Through Feb 27: “The Art of Assembly,” unique, humorous works by local artist Steph Slater, who reinvents objects by assembling them in new environments, altering their pre-existing context.

Marty’s Café, 4 Green Hills Rd/Rte 47, Washington Depot; 860-868-1700.

*(new show) Through Feb 28: oil paintings & fine art photography by award-winning artist David Clark; Feb 6, opening reception, 2-5 pm.

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.

Through March 14: “Banding Together: The Story of the Naugatuck Valley Project,” exploration of the churches, trade unions & business & community groups who banded together to create jobs, affordable housing, and critical public & private services for one of the oldest and poorest industrial areas in the nation.

Ridgefield Guild of Artists, 34 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield; 203-438-8863

Through Feb 20: “Fresh Pics,” work by approx 50 contemporary artists from CT & surrounding states (incl DeAnn Prosia of Newtown) in painting, works on paper, photography & sculpture; Feb 6, “Resources & Opportunities for Artists,” 2 pm, panel discussion w/ reps from area art organizations & tour of exhibition (snow date Feb 7).

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

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.

Walsh Art Gallery, at Fairfield University, North Benson Rd, Fairfield; 203-254-4000, x 2969, 203-254-4242.

Through Feb 28: “The Art of John ‘Crash’ Matos,” art by artist who weaves his roots of graffiti & tagging growing up in South Bronx w/ immediacy of Abstract Expressionism & bold colors of Pop Art.

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

Through March 7: “Promiscuous Assemblage, Friendship, & The Order of Things,” works by London-based artist Jane Wildgoose, commemorating the friendship between Mary Delany & the Duchess of Portland, through installations of exotic & curious natural history specimens, as well as china and rare books selected in response to descriptions of the domestic settings in which the Duchess housed her museum.

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

Through March 7: “Jane Davis Doggett: Talking Graphics,” works by artist known for a career of creating graphic identities & wayfinding systems for massive public spaces, including 40 international airports.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

WCSU Renaissance Festival, Western CT State Univ Westside Classroom Building Room 218, 43 Lake Ave Extension, Danbury. Call 203-888-6204.

Feb 6-7: Open auditions for spring festival to be held at Ives Concert Park, Sat 1-7 pm, Sun 12-6 pm, positions incl nobility, paupers, village characters, singers, squires, gate attendants, game & booth attendants, professional acts welcome, also need behind-the-scenes crew incl concessions, grounds crew, parking & general help. Call above phone # or visit thescrf.com for details.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Feb 4: First Thursday Jazz Series – Vocalist Dianne Mower, The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30-7:30 pm, $15, performance of live jazz by professional musician who has collaborated w/ Dave Brubeck, et al; 203-753-0381.

Feb 6: 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.

Feb 6: Flagpole Radio Café, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, $15, headliner is jazz musician Phil Bowler, also performances by Jim Allyn, Rick Brodsky, Dick Neal, Chris Teskey, Barbara Gaines, Jennifer Rogers, David Wheeler & Martin Blanco.

Feb 7: “The Art of Flamenco Guitar: A Recital & Reception with Val Ramos,” The Mattatuck Museum & Arts History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30-7:30 pm, $7 ($5 museum members), performance by CT resident & master flamenco guitarist will serve as complement to exhibit “Luis Mora (1874-1940) and The Expression of Beauty” & related reception; 203-753-0381 x10.

Newtown Friends of Music, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown; 203-426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, tickets $20, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult, reception follows performances: Feb 14, Paris Piano Trio, works of Mozart, Ravel & Schubert.

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

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Feb 12, Phil Vassar, $82.50 (VIP Party Passes available); Feb 14, The Neville Brothers w/ Dr John & The Lower 911, 6:30 start, $95-$125; Feb 20, Hot 8 Brass Band, $45-$50 (7:30, special pre show discussion w/ band members about life for musicians post Katrina, moderated by Ira Joe Fisher & Morton Dean).

For Kids & Families _________

Feb 14: “Be My Valentine: Valentine’s Day Through the Ages,” The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 1-3 pm, free ongoing workshop w/ art teacher Deborah Lasher, all ages invited to create valentines, also view antique valentines from museum’s collection; 203-753-0381 x10.

New Pond Farm, 101 Marchant Road, West Redding; 203-938-2117.

For Ages 4-5 & Adult (programs 1:15-2 pm, $8/child): Feb 8, Woven Heart Baskets, join artist in residence Kris Holm to make woven heart baskets from recycled paper.

For Ages 6-12 (programs 4-5 pm, $10): Feb 8, Woven Heart Baskets, join artist in residence Kris Holm to make woven heart baskets from recycled paper.

Family Programs: Feb 6, Wildlife Tracking, 9 am-noon, join Primitive Skills Instructor Andy Dobos to learn about the wildlife through their tracks & signs they leave behind incl rabbits, squirrels & even owls, suitable for agese 8 & up w/ adult.

Miscellaneous ___________

Feb 6: 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.

Feb 6: Annual Bonanza Book Sale, Mattatuck Unitarian Universalist Society, 122 South Pomperaug Ave, Woodbury, 9 am-3 pm, books & multi-media items in many categories, no magazines, encyclopedias or textbooks; 203-267-7388.

Feb 6: Chocolate Underground, The Heritage Hotel, 522 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 6:30-10 pm (snow date Feb 7), $65, benefit for The Audubon Center at Bent of the River will incl dark organic chocolate cuisine inspired by the fruit-infused flavors of Belize created by The Provender at New Morning, also select wines from Hopkins Vineyard, White Silo Farm & Winery & Bishops Orchards Wines (all in CT), host of evening is Laurie Buckle (editor, Fine Cooking magazine), co-sponsored by New Morning & The Heritage Hotel; 203-264-5098, 203-263-0673 x360.

Feb 6-28: Escape The Winter Craft Show & Sale, Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, Sat-Sun 10 am-4 pm, two-day events will run each weekend in Feb, featuring diff artisans each weekend; 203-270-9461.

Feb 10: Genealogy Club of Newtown meeting, C.H. Booth Library community room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, free program by genealogist Matthew Bielawa will cover how to trace the roots of ancestors who came to US from Central & Eastern European nations; 203-270-7887.

Feb 10: “Relax, It’s Only Garden Photography,” 7:30 pm, Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:30 pm, free program by freelance photographer Rich Pomerantz will discuss photographing gardens, hosted by Town & Country Garden Club.

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

Feb 8, Daytime Book Discussion, 1 pm, The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows, newcomers welcome; Feb 10, Independent Film Series, 1 pm, Troubled Water (Norwegian w/ English subtitles, 116 min); Feb 10, Memoir Discussion Series, 7:30 pm, The Colored People by Henry Louis Gates Jr; Feb 12, “Cabaret: Music from the Movies,” $10, doors & light refreshments 6 pm, performance by Bettina Paley at 7 pm, coffee bar follows, fundraiser for library.

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

(FILM) Feb 5-11: Fantastic Mr Fox (PG), Fri 7 & 9 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

New Pond Farm, 101 Marchant Road, West Redding; 203-938-2117.

Feb 10, Winter Vegetable Lunch, 12-1:30 pm, $22, dine on dishes cooked over the fire & made from seasonal root vegetables & delicious winter squashes, also learn how to grow & store root crops; Feb 11, Crochet Tote Bag, 6:30-8 pm, $12, learn how to crochet plastic grocery bags into sturdy recycled tote.

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 Hikers. Call 203-788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 203-270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 10 am (winter start time), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Feb 6, Oxford Bridal Trail, Oxford (leader Candace Yuen, 203-262-8328); Feb 13, Squantz Pond Fire Trail, New Fairfield (leader Louann Chevalier, 203-426-2072).

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.

Special Events: Feb 14, Women of the Night 3, at Danbury Plaza, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd, Danbury, Sheila Kay headlining, Leighann Lord & Linda Belt opening, 8 pm show, $19.50 (dinner package w/ show $29.95).

Shows at The Holiday Inn, 80 Newtown Rd, Danbury: Feb 6, Steve Shaffer headlining, Vincent McElhone & Ryan Maher opening; Feb 13, Craig Carmean headlining, Bill Campbell & Johnny Benson opening.

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: Feb 10, Annual Exotic, Neurotic, Erotic Open Mic Night.

Theatre ______________

Through Feb 6: A Night of One-Acts… an introduction to modern playwright David Ives, Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield, doors open at 7, performances Fri-Sat 8 pm, $20, cabaret seating, BYO food & drink, for mature audiences; 203-431-9850.

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

Sylvia, Feb 17-March 14, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun, Tues-Wed 7 pm, mat Wed & Sun 2 pm, Sat 3 pm, tickets $30-$65.

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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.