Antiques Shows    _________________________

Feb 20-21: Orange Historical Society Antiques Show, High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Rd, Orange, 10 am-4 pm, adm $4.50; 203-795-6465.

Feb 20-21: 41st Guilford Antiques Show, Elisabeth Adams School, 233 Church St, Guilford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $8, approx 50 dealers, proceeds to benefit Guilford’s Hyland House; 914-474-8552.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places ___________________________

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

Through March 14: “Chad Kleitsch: White Box — Photographs of the Unseen Museum,” photos taken during exhibition changes, views rarely seen by the public, incl The Aldrich, The Menil Collection, Metropolitan Museum of Art, et al.

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

Through Feb 28: mixed media works by Doug Calderone, many of which depict rock & roll musicians.

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

On main floor: *(new show) Through Feb 28: welded “origami” sculpture by Brian Walters II.

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.

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.

Through Feb 28: oil paintings & fine art photography by award-winning artist David Clark.

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

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.

Mocha Coffee House, 3 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook; 203-364-9200.

*(new show) Through Feb 28: “All in the Family,” art by Catherine Hair & daughters Taelyr & Alexis, who have blended a multi-generational, mixed media collection of photos, paintings & drawings to create “an eclectic blend of landscape, portrait & still life.”

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.

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.

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

*(new show) Feb 19-May 2: “Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future,” first major exhibition to examine the architect’s wide -ranging career from 1930s-early 1960s, traveling exhibition features drawings, models, furniture, photographs, films & ephemera by one of the most prolific, unorthodox & controversial masters of 20th Century architecture.

Auditions, Juried Events  _________________

North Congregational Church, 11 Main St North, Woodbury; 203-263-4585.

April 17: Vendor openings for 12th Annual Indoor Flea Market, Bake Sale & Raffle, will run 9 am-2 pm, spaces $35 or $60, vendors can bring table or rent (8 ft long) for $6, call above phone # for info, reservations.

Concerts, Musical Events ________________

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.

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 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 20, The Return of Mars, 7-8:30 pm, $6 ($24 max/family), winter astronomy program will look at 4th planet of our solar system near the constellation Gemini, also learn about the wonders of Orion and the first quarter Moon, dress warmly & bring flashlight.

Miscellaneous ___________________________

Through Feb 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.

Feb 13: Roast Beef Dinner, Good Shepherd Lodge #65/Odd Fellows Hall, 25 Danbury Rd, New Milford, 4:30-7 pm, $10, $8 seniors, $5 ages 5-12, free ages 4 & under, full dinner w/ salad, mashed potatoes, veggies & dessert, take-out available; 860-355-0243.

Feb 16: 53rd annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, St John’s Episcopal Church, 5 Washington Ave, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, $8, $4 ages 3-10, traditional meal of pancakes, homestyle corned beef hash or country sausage, applesauce & beverages; 203-426-9938, 203-426-3112.

Feb 16: Newtown Toastmasters meeting, Town Hall South (Parks & Rec conference room), 3 Main St, Newtown,7 pm, all welcome; 203-313-5507.

Feb 18: “Play With Your Food: Love in the Afternoon,” Edmond Town Hall’s Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, $30, 12-1:30 pm, catered buffet lunch followed by staged readings of Sure Thing, Twenty-Four Years & After the Ball, then brief discussion w/ performers; 203-364-9844.

Feb 19: “The Life of Amelia Earhart,” Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, $20, one-woman performance by Karen Tracey will follow the life of the aviator from age six to her final flight, light refreshments, door prize; 203-426-9024, 203-740-2733.

Feb 20: Helping Haiti Bake Sale, starts at noon, Edmond Town Hall lobby, 45 Main Street, baked goods will be sold by Sage De-Simone and friends to raise funds for Save The Children Haiti earthquake relief; 203-364-7956.

Feb 20: Wine & Scotch Malt Tasting Fundraiser, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room , 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 6-8:30 pm,  $35, refreshments, auction, fundraiser by The Mary Hawley Society to support historic building & its upkeep; 203-426-3651.

Feb 20: Italian Comedy Night, Seven Angels Theatre, Plank Rd, Waterbury, 8 pm, $29, Joe Moffa headlining, performances also by Eric Tartaglione, Bob Luparello & Joe Praino; 203-757-4676.

Feb 21: Polly Brody at Borders Books, Southbury Plaza, 100 Main St North, Southbury, 2 pm, reading by author Polly Brody will continue celebration of her newest release, Stirring Shadows; 203-262-9419.

Feb 21: “Experience Good News for Women,” The Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury, $55, makeover event will offer presentations by makeup artists from Viso Bello Day Spa & Massage Therapy Center, stylist & author Andrea Ward, also “Preventive Medicine & Anti-Aging & Traditional Chinese Medicine,” plus wine & specialty hors d’oeuvres prepared by Good News Café Chef Carole Peck, fundraiser for Literacy Center of Greater Waterbury, reservations required; 203-754-1164.

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

Feb 12, “Cabaret: Music from the Movies,” doors & light refreshments 6 pm, performance by Bettina Paley at 7 pm, coffee bar follows; Feb 18, Job Search Help with Cheryl Schwartz: The Resume, 3-4:30 pm, reservations requested; Feb 20, East Coast premiere screenings of Fifth Forum, 3 & 7 pm, dark comedy about a war of pranks at elite boys’ school around time of Gulf War was co-authored by Adam Orman & Newtown native Bill Stern.

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

(FILM) Feb 12-18: Walt Disney’s The Princess and The Frog (G), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Fri-Sat, Mon 1 & 4 pm, Tues-Thurs 1 pm.

Flagpole Camera Club, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown; 203-270-9469.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: Feb 18, members’ competition on “What is a ‘Sign’?” also presentation by Karen Kensek on mat cutting, slide show by Sheila Silvernail from recent Greater Lynn International Exhibition.

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

2010 Winter Film Series, screenings 2 pm: Feb 20-21, Black Indians: An American Story.

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 13, Squantz Pond Fire Trail, New Fairfield (leader Louann Chevalier, 203-426-2072); Feb 20, Macedonia State Park, Kent (leader Rita Qubick, 203-268-4119); Feb 27, Seaside Park, Bridgeport (leader Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); March 6, Al’s Trail & McLaughlin Vineyard-Winery, Sandy Hook (leader Hugh Fullman, 203-270-1747).

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.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-6654 or 203-798-0560.

Programs 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Feb 24, demo of painting a still life in acrylics by Charles Ray.

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 13, Craig Carmean headlining, Bill Campbell & Johnny Benson opening; Feb 20, Otto & George headlining, Johnny & Doughie Phillips opening, note: show is for adults only & not for the easily offended.

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 17, “Creating The 5-Minute Poem workshop”; Feb 24, Laurel Peterson.

Theatre   __________________________________

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, Sts $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.