Antiques Shows______

Feb 21-22: The New Guilford Antiques Show, Elisabeth Adams School, 233 Church St, Guilford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $8, 50 dealers.

Feb 28-March 1: Orange Historical Society Antiques Show, High Plains Community Center, 525 Orange Center Rd, Orange, 10 am-4 pm, adm $4.50; 203-795-6465.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport; 203-331-1104.

Through March 29: “Freedom Dancing,” works by Bridgeport painter & poet Shanna Melton, whose imagery reflects an intimate response to the African diaspora.

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through Feb 28: nearly 50 photographs, most in color, by members of Candlewood Camera Club.

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield; 775-4526.

Through March 8: “Sacred Containment: Vessels, Nests and Shelters,” art forms created using earth-born & contemporary materials by curator Miani Carnevale & 12 addt’l artists.

Featured Artist of the Month, special presentations in BCC Gift Shop: Through Feb 28: intricate vests, sweaters, scarves, bags & glass pcs by fiber artist Beryl Maddalena, and complementary works by lampwork glass artist Stephanie Maddalena (Beryl’s daughter).

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

Through Feb 28: “Valentines on View,” vintage Valentine’s Day cards & postcards, circa 1900-1950s, from former collection of Mrs Carrie Ferry (collection since donated to museum).

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

Through March 10: “À la recherche du temps perdu,” mixed media works by visual artists, author & teacher Florin Ion Firimicã done circa 2004-08.

Housatonic Museum of Art/Burt Chernow Galleries at Housatonic Community College, 900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport; 203-332-5000.

Through March 22: “Ann Chernow: Picasso Project,” prints by the Westport artist that follow the printing techniques of Pablo Picasso, collaborative pro-ject done w/ master printer James Reed to replace toxic media used in Pi-casso’s printer’s workshop.

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

Through March 22: “Lest We Forget: Images of the Civil Rights Movement,” compelling presentation of work by the late Woodbury artist Robert Templeton, who devoted two-plus decades to creating portraits of those who personified the Civil Rights Movement.

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

Through Feb 23: “Birds From The Hand,” works on paper by Audrey Anastasi & sculpture by Deborah Menzell Dressler.

*(new show) Feb 28-April 6: “Landscape Elements,” recent oils paintings & drawings by Susan Monserud, former teacher & architect, now full-time painter, who finds inspiration for her abstract works in the patterns & rhythms of the landscape; Feb 28, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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

Through Feb 22: “Jungles: Photographs by Frans Lanting,” 45 photos shot over 20-year period by master renowned wildlife photographer Frans Lanting, shot in some of the most mysterious & remote locations on earth, capturing beauty, manic pace, wonder & fragility of the planet’s “forgotten Edens.”

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford; 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

Through March 31: “What Lies Beneath? Revealing Painters’ Secrets,” works from museum’s permanent collection that have been examined using X-radiology & infrared imaging for underimages, or images hidden under the final surface painting, incl works of van Gogh, Monet, Renior, Rousseau, et al.

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

Through May 3: “‘Endless Forms’: Charles Darwin, Natural Sciences and the Visual Arts,” highlight of global celebration of Darwin’s bicentenary will ex-plore impact of Darwin’s most important theories on visual artists of the late 19th & early 20th Centuries; Feb 21, exhibition tour, noon; Feb 26, exhibition tour, 11 am; also Feb 26, “After Darwin,” 5:30 pm, readings by members of Yale Univ English dept

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Town Players, The Little Theatre, Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 270-9144.

March 2-3: Auditions for Caught in the Net, 7-9 pm (snow dates March 4-5, same time), director Pam Meister has openings for all roles in Ray Cooney’s fast-paced comedy, English accents only if they’re natural, performances to be Fri-Sat May 1-17 & 2 Sun afternoons, email director at TownPlayers@yahoo.com for details, also seeking stage hands & tech crew (visit during auditions or contact director).

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Feb 21: The Boston Duo at Pomperaug Woods Wilson Hall, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 3 pm, free but reservations requested, performance by piano-violin duo; 262-6555.

Feb 21: “From Puccini To Pops,” Chase Collegiate School Smith Cornerstone Room, 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 7 pm, $25, $15 students, seniors & staff, performance of classical arias & contemporary show tunes by soprano Marissa Famigliette, baritone Shae Apland & pianist Michael Ferrari, proceeds to benefit Chase Singers Carnegie Hall Residency; 203-236-9588.

Feb 21: FairWestSwing Swing Lessons & Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, introductory dance lesson 7:30 pm, supplementary lesson 8:30, open dancing to jump & swing blues 9:30-midnight, $20 (incl 1 lesson, or $5 for 2nd lesson; students $5 discount), very beginner friendly, no partner required, music provided by The Blue Saracens & swing DJ “Stretch”, hosted by FairWestSwing Project; 203-522-5341.

Feb 22: Storm King Brass at The Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free concert by 5 members of US Military Academy Band to incl diverse program, reception follows; 775-6241 x104.

Feb 22: Wilton Candlelight Concerts: Adaskin String Trio with Thomas Gallant (oboe), at Wilton Congregational Church, 70 Ridgefield Rd/Rte 33, Wilton, 4 pm, $25 adults, $10 students (season tickets $90, $75 seniors), program to incl works of Fiale, Beethoven, Adaskin, Martinu & Mozart, proceeds to benefit Wilton Library Association; 203-762-3401, 203-762-5019.

Feb 27: WCSU Jazz Ensemble, WCSU Jazz Orchestra & Frankensax, Western CT State Univ Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 8 pm, free, performances by student jazz groups, donations to benefit WCSU Music Dept; 837-8350.

Feb 28: Monthly ballroom dance, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $15, singles & couples welcome, free dance lesson at 8, performance by Cabaret Dance Champions Tony Scheppler & Erin Bomboy at 9:30, dance music provided by DJ, refreshments incl; 203-374-7308.

March 1: Rex Cadwallader at Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wil-ton, 4 pm, free performance (reservations encouraged) will continue library’s Connecticut’s Own music series; 203-792-3950.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Feb 22, George Clinton and Parliament Funkadelic, $65 & $70.

Western CT State University Midtown Coffeehouse, Alumni Hall, James Roach Ave (off Osborne St, behind Roberts Ave Elementary School). Call 837-9700.

Coffeehouse each Thurs, open mic 8 pm, featured performance 9 pm (sched-ule follows), free, refreshments available for purchase: Feb 19, Tim Walsh, pop, acoustic & jazz; Feb 26, comedian Mark Saldana.

For Kids & Families _________

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: Feb 22, Animal Tracks & Signs, 1:30-2:30 pm, $5 ($3 members), join educator Jim Drennan to learn how to distinguish canine & feline prints, gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit & other common tracks.

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

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: March 7, Watercolor Workshop, 10 am-noon, $6, professional artist Suzanne Lang has openings for 15 young artists ages 8-18, learn diff techniques & then create your own painting.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Feb 22: 28th Annual CT Flower & Garden Show, CT Expo Center, 100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, Thurs-Sat 10 am-8 pm, Sun 10 am-6 pm, adm $14 adults, $12 seniors (Thurs-Fri only), $2 ages 7-14, free ages 6 & under, show theme “America the Beautiful” will offer Advanced Standard Flower Show, 80+ hours of seminars & lectures (incl w/ show adm), floral & garden arts & crafts, free soil testing & more; 860-844-8461.

Feb 21: Saturday Morning Bird Walk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 9 am, free walk to observe birds in the wild, sharpen bird ID skills or just for enjoyment of leisurely morning hike, may last up to 2 hours, all levels of birders welcome, meet in parking lot; 734-2513.

Feb 21: Mary Gilliatt at Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Rd, Southbury, 10 am-1 pm, presentation in French at 10, British tea reception at 11, second presentation (in English, w/ guest interior decorator Paula Smith) at 11, programs by author of Fabulous Food and Friends: Entertaining Princess Margaret, Spike Milligan and Other Friends hosted by Alliance Française of Western CT, reservations requested; 206-4384.

Feb 21: “Protecting & Caring For Fine Jewelry,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury, 2 pm, free program by Joe Brandt (author Protecting Your Family Jewels: How to Protect Your Jewelry for Now, and for the Future, also owner J.L. Brandt Co., Inc) will offer basic facts about caring for, buying & selling jewelry, not an appraisal clinic; 796-8061.

Feb 21: Roast Beef Dinner at Good Shepherd Lodge/Odd Fellows Hall, 25 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, $10, $8 seniors, $5 ages 5-12, free age 4 & under, full dinner & dessert, take-out available; 860-355-0243.

Feb 21: “Who’s Barn Is It Anyway?” at Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield, doors open 7 pm, show at 8, $22 ($18 tax-deductible), improv comedy by The Role in the Hay Players, cabaret seating, BYO food & beverage, proceeds benefit building fund; 203-431-9850.

Feb 22: “Stories of Successful Healing at My Ayurvedic Clinic in India,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free, presentation by Leela Kancharla (graduate of Ayurvedic Clinic, India) will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 263-2254.

Feb 23: Harlem Globetrotters at WCSU O’Neill Athletic & Convocation Center (westside campus), Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, 7 pm, $28-$84; 837-8499.

Feb 24: “Nature Photography: Capturing The Essence of Nature,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1 pm, free program by John Pawloski, hosted by The Garden Club of Newtown; 270-1108.

Feb 24: 52nd Annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, St John’s Episcopal Church, 5 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, $8 adults, $4 ages 3-10, free ages 2 & under, traditional pancake meal w/ sides & beverages; 426-3112.

Feb 24: “Global Studies in the Age of Change,” The Village at Brookfield Common, 246A Federal Rd. Brookfield, 10 am, free lecture by WCSU Prof of World Languages & Literature Dr Galina Baktiarova; 837-8486.

Feb 24:  Mardi Gras Pancake Supper, St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel, continuous servings 5-7 pm, $3/person ($10 max/famiy), sponsored by St Thomas’ Church School; 748-2089, 743-1494.

Feb 25: “The Psychobiology of Trauma,” Western CT State University Science Building Room 219, Osborne St at Dr James Roach Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, free lecture by Dr Rachel Yehuda (professor of psychiatry, Mt Sinai School of Medicine) will concern post-traumatic stress, continues  2008-09 WCSU Research Seminar Series, reception to follow; 837-8793.

Feb 27: St Rose Annual Friday Knight Fish Fry, St Rose Gathering Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 5-8 pm, $10 adults, $5 children, $30 max family (parents & children), Knights of Columbus annual Lent event also has drive-up/take-out service available, also running March 6 & 13; 270-3314, 426-1014.

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: Feb 25, Winter Tree ID, 10 am-noon, $10 ($7 members), learn how to ID trees & use The Winter Tree Finder Book (incl w/ program cost); Feb 25, Animal Tracking & Signs, 10 am-noon, $10 ($7 members), receive copy of Track Finder & learn how to use to search forests & fields for signs of wildlife, learn also about predator-prey relationship between wildlife at the center (program also being offered March 1, 1:30-3:30).

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

Misc programs, free unless noted: Feb 24, Great Fireside Reads, 7:30 pm, discussion of Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein will be led by Julie Stern.

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

Free programs unless noted, no registration needed (unless noted): Feb 25, screening of Seventeenth Century Masters, 3:15 pm, discussion & refreshments to follow.

Reel Justice: Great Courtroom Dramas, free screenings 2 pm, free, lecture notes, discussion & refreshments follow: March 1, To Kill A Mockingbird (1962).

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

(FILM) Feb 20: Bolt (PG), 1, 4, 7 & 9 pm.

Feb 21-26: Quantum of Solace (PG-13), Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Feb 21-22, screening of Our Spirits Don’t Speak English: Indian Boarding School, 2 pm, $5 adults, $4.50 seniors, $3 children, documentary about Native Americans who were taken away from parents as children & forced into gov’t run boarding schools; Feb 22, Artifact Identification Day, 1-4 pm, $5 adults, $4.50 seniors (regular museum adm), bring stone artifacts & Native American cultural items for ID by archaeologist & museum Director of Research & Collections Dr Lucianne Lavin, limit 12 items/person.

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 time), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Feb 21, Monroe Bike Trail – snowshoe, cross country, easy hike (Rita Qubick, 268-4119); Feb 28, Lake Mohegan, Fairfield, easy hike (Ray Falk, 203-520-3793).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, New-town. 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 Dec 27 to March 11 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 (ask for Betty) or 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.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: Feb 21, Patrice O’Neal, w/ Peter Vouras & John Poveramo opening; Feb 28, Patty Rosborough, w/ Pat Candaras & Bill Keller opening.

Theatre ______________

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

On Stage II: Bad Dates, through March 22, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Wed & Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $32-$62 (student & senior discounts available); call for special program details.

Stage Door Productions, at Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 470-7528.

A Night at the Oscars, Feb 27-March 8, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm (doors 6:15, dinner served 6:30), mat Sun 2 pm (doors 12:15, lunch 12:30), tickets $35, $25 ages 12 & under, cash bar.

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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.