Antiques Shows______

March 31: 15th Annual Country Antiques in Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, Ellis Technical School, 613 Upper Maple St, Danielson, 10 am-3 pm (early buying 9 am, $12), regular adm $6, 50 dealers, gourmet lunch & desserts; 860-774-8511.

March 31-April 1: 31st Annual Depression Glass Show & Sale, Southington High School, 720 Pleasant St, Southington, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $6, presented by Nutmeg Depression Glass Club.

April 14-15: Vintage Clothing & Accessories, Textiles & Jewelry Show & Sale, Police Activities League (PAL) Building, 25 Hayestown Ave, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm both days, adm $6; 914-273-4667.

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 1-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) —Through March 30: “Human Nature: Eclectic Images by David Clark,” photographs & giclée prints by Southbury resident.

In first floor display cases — Through April 16: Olga Paproski’s collection of handmade Ukrainian Pysanki (Easter) eggs, also table setting for a traditional Ukrainian Pysanki celebration.

On library’s main floor — Through March 31: “Katrina Relief: Far From Finished,” photographs, mementos & notes from Newtown resident Shannon Hicks’ trip to Biloxi, Miss., in Oct-Nov 2006, when she joined relief efforts to help residents affected by the 2005 hurricanes Katrina & Rita.

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

Through April 29: “Fiber Cartography: Mapping Imagination and Experience,” group exhibition w/ work by 11 artists (Jane Ingram Allen, Sally Darlison, Sallie Findlay, Linda Gass, Valerie Goodwin, Gale Jaimeson, Tamara Kostianovsky, Barbara Lee Smith, Emily Miah Stewart, Melinda Barta & Joanna Foslien) offers fiber art displaying wide scope of imagery, broad range of materials & techniques, all “firmly embedded w/ experiences, political views & personal visions to create inner landscapes & artistic concepts of ‘maps,’” curated by Liz Good (assistant editor, FiberArts magazine).

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Call 203-869-0376.

Through April 29: “Painterly Controversy: William Merritt Chase and Robert Henry,” major winter exhibition features 34 paintings from private lenders & museums across the country (incl Metropolitan Museum of Art, MFA/Houston, Hirschhorn & Sculpture Garden & others) by 2 of most admired American artists of popular turn-of-the-century era whose friendship & regard went from mutual admiration to mutual animosity, show meant to encourage exploration of decisive differences & startling similarities in the artists’ work.

Through May 27: “New Acquisitions: Photography from The Bruce Museum Collection,” approx 30 selections from collection of 100+ photographs by leading 20th Century photographers recently given to museum incl examples of soft-focus pictorialism, 20th Century modernism, photojournalism, Italian street photography of 1940s & 50s, & contemporary mixed media.

Through June 10: “Weaving A Collection: Native American Baskets from the Bruce Museum.”

Through July 8: “Zip, Bop and Whir: Toys of The 20th Century.”

City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Court, Bridgeport. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-5:30 pm, Sat 11 am-4 pm. Call 203-334-7748.

Through April 7: “A Russian View,” new works by 4 contemporary female Russian artists.

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.

Through April 15: “Dick McEvoy: Seasons of the Year,” collection of acrylics by Newtown artist Dick McEvoy, as selected & curated by Wendy Kelly.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Hours: Tues-Wed 10 am-8 pm, Thurs 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm. Call 261-0134.

Through April 3: “The Art and Architecture of Bridgeport,” special exhibition in coordination w/ City Lights Gallery of Bridgeport features works by contemporary artists that encompass the old & new visions of Bridgeport incl pastels by Tom Brenner, watercolors by Christy Gallagher, Doris B. Giammatteo, Suzanne Kachmar & Joan Peters, acrylics by Andy Pinto, oils by Kevin Conklin, mixed media pcs by Phil Levin & photography by Israel Guibbory & Dom Mastrianni.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Wed-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

*(new show) March 31-May 13: “Pattern Play,” porcelain sculpture by Diana Chamberlain & oil paintings by Anne Hebebrand; March 31, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Hours: Thurs-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-577-2181.

Through April 15: “Trucks and More…,” watercolor paintings of vintage trucks by Howard W. Shoemaker; Sept 12, Cruise Night, 5:30-8 pm, reduced adm to museum, prizes, family fun, refreshments, proceeds to benefit museum.

Good News Café & Gallery, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Wed-Mon 11:30 am-10 pm. Call 203-266-4663.

Through March 26: “Sensate,” abstract paintings by Ellen Hackl Fagan explore “the rich tapestry of sensory interaction.”

Gregory James Gallery, 25 North Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Call 860-927-7133.

Through March 31: “Winter Show 2007,” group exhibit will offer works by regional artists incl Ralph Della-Volpe, Rainie Crawford, Joseph Grieco, Robert Ferrucci, Anda Styler & James Coe.

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

Through June  30: “All Across America: Adaptation, Ingenuity and Artistry,” cultural items incl pottery, beadwork, textiles & basketry illustrating the adaptation, ingenuity & creativity of North American tribes as they began to embrace new materials of European settlers incl cotton, glass, beads & metal.

Through June 30: “Written In Bone,” discover anatomical similarities between human & animal bones, basic bones that make up animal skeletons, how to tell is a bone was used as a tool or if it had disease & more.

Through June 30: “Weaponry,” traditional weaponry used by pre-contact North American Peoples incl bows, arrows & clubs, also recent innovations popular during “horse culture.”

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 June 30: “The Swiss Guard: Celebrating 500 Years of Papal Service,” artifacts from the worlds oldest military organization incl uniforms, armor, helmets, weapons, paintings, medals, flags & pennants, also the helmet of Charles Bourbon, who was killed while leading renegade army in 1527 sacking of Rome.

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 April 30: “Illusions of Gossamer,” photographs by Lucy Sceery, w/ emphasis on netting-covered fields where artist has added chiffon “to enhance the tranquil beauty of her photos”.

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

Through May 6: “Alien Earths,” research & discovered related to age-old questions Where did we come from? Are we alone in universe? etc presented incl sounds heard from space, planets set in motion around a star, learn difference in density between planets, smell difference betw microbial colonies & more.

Sculpture Barn (formerly Boyajian’s Sculpture Barn), 3 Milltown Rd (at Rte 39), New Fairfield. Hours: Wed-Sun 10 am-6 pm. Call 746-6101.

*(new show) April 1-22: “Creative Voice,” paintings, sculpture & works on paper incl photography & printmaking by faculty, undergraduate & graduate visual artists from Western CT State Univ, each of whom have been encouraged to create work outside the classroom & submit pcs that reflect their own creative voice; April 1, opening reception, 4-7 pm; April 10, “Say It Like You See It,” 8 pm, adm $10 adults, $5 students (incl coffee & dessert), spoken word event in coffee house-like setting will have poetry, film, monologue & performance art, featured performer will be author Mary Bailey.

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

Through March 31: “Walk A Mile In My Shoes,” discarded shoes turned into works of art by 8th grade students of The Sherman School.

Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan. Call 203-966-9700.

Through April 19: “Guild Artist Group Show: Collaborations,” works by Guild artists, juried by Denise Markonish (curator, ArtSpace, New Haven).

Through April 19: “Director’s Choice: Series of Everything and Much, Much More,” selections by New Yorker cartoonist Roz Chast.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Wed-Fri 11 am-5 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

Through April 22: “Soul Food! African-American Cookery and Creativity,” art & artifacts examining integral crops to slave trade (rice & sugar), food icons ranging from the fictional Aunt Jemima & real-life Uncle Ben to fried chicken & watermelon, and celebrates the “soul-stirring & nourishing connections between culture, creativity & memory.”

Through Dec 9: “Faith and Fortune: Five Centuries of European Masterworks,” pcs from museum’s collections, drawing from fine & decorative arts of Renaissance through Neo-Classical & Romantic eras, showcasing approx 500 treasures (125+ paintings, exquisite objects made of bronze, silver, ivory, ceramics & glass, plus select sculptures); April 5, First Thursday, 5-8 pm, adm $5, gallery talks (“Piety & Propaganda” by Jean Cadogan & and “Art and Individualism” by Alden Gordon, 6 & 6:30 pm), live music by Jeff Pevar & Band (ongoing), screening of Volver (7:30).

Walsh Art Gallery at Quick Center, Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-254-4000 x2969.

*(new show) April 12-May 27: “Painting the Landscape and Other Views,” work by Suzanne Chamlin incl current paintings & work from past, also drawings in ink & ink washes on paper; April 12, opening reception, 5-7 pm; April 18, Director’s Choice lecture, 12:30 pm, $5, Ms Chamlin will lead gallery talk & discuss her work.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-567-3163.

Through April 14: “Short Stories: New Works of Florin Ion Firimita,” mixed media pieces on poplar panels or masonite.

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

Through April 1: “Howard Hodgkin: Paintings, 1992-2007,” nearly 50 works from private collections & museums in US & Great Britain ranging from small paintings that draw viewer into intimate encounters to large ones whose presence is often imposing by artist considered one of most important work in Britain today; April 1, student guide tour 1 pm, exhibition tour 2 pm.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through April 1: “Jasper Johns: From Plate to Print,” presentation of an untitled 1999 intaglio print by Johns features working proofs, trial proofs & progressives leading up to final print, as well as 5 plates used in its creation, allowing rare opportunity to explore the artistic & mechanical process of printmaking while providing glimpse into the artist’s creative process incl his development of motifs, color choices & graphic enhancement.

Through April 1: “Making A Mark: Four Contemporary Artists in Print,” selection of prints from YUAG’s collection by Enrique Chagoya, Carroll Dunham, Jane Hammond & Kiki Smith, whose diversity gives an insider’s look into dialogue taking place in contemporary printmaking.

Through July 8: “Responding To Kahn: A Sculptural Conversation,” special exhibition of works from YUAG collection highlights restored Kahn Building & the relationship between modern art & architecture w/ special emphasis on postwar sculpture.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Brookfield Historical Society & Museum, Rte 133 at Rte 25, Brookfield Center. Call 740-8140.

April 2: Guest speaker needed to lead forum on “Civil War: The Battle of Gettysburg, Day One,” 7:30 pm, free public program will continue historical society’s ongoing Civil War lecture series, openings also available for May 7 (Gettysburg, Day 2), June 4 (Gettysburg, Day 3), Aug 6 (Battle of Vicksburg), Oct 1 (Battle of Chickamunga) & Nov 5 (Battle Above Clouds), leave message on historical society’s answering machine.

CT’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6563.

April 9: Deadline for delivery of student art for 9th Annual High School Wildlife Art Show & Contest, must arrived by 4 pm, all work must be original, hand-made creation in watercolor, acrylic, tempera, charcoal, pastel, chalk, colored pencil, graphite or pen & ink, NO photography or computer-generated work accepted, use wildlife as inspiration, judging will be April 21, winners notified by April 25, all accepted work must remain at zoo during run of show (April 21-May 19), winners will receive art store gift certificates.

Musicals At Richter, at The Melrose School, 120 Federal Hill Rd, Brewster, N.Y. Call 748-6873.

March 31: Auditions for children & youth performers, 10 am-1 pm, openings for Fairy Tale Theater (ages 7-15, be prepared to read from script), ensemble roles in Fiddler on the Roof & Oklahoma! (be prepared to sing, read & dance), also younger members of Richter Rising Stars (new group for ages 21 & under to perform material from recent Broadway shows, TV musicals & motion pictures at Richter Park & other area venues, to be directed by Alicia Dampster; be prepared to sing, read & dance), all auditioning should bring photo & resume, prepare 2 Broadway show tunes, bring sheet music in key & be prepared to sing only best 16 measures if needed, addt’l details available at MusicalsAtRichter.org.

March 31-April 1: Open auditions for high school, college & adult performers for 2007 season, Fri 7-10 pm, Sat 2-6 pm, Sun 1-5 pm, roles available for Fiddler on The Roof (June 21-July 21, to be directed by Donald Birely), On the Twentieth Century (July 12-28, director to be Brad Blake) & Oklahoma! (Aug 2-18, also directed by Brad Blake), bring photo & resume, prepare 2 Broadway show tunes, bring sheet music in key & be prepared to sing only best 16 measures if needed, full show breakdowns & cast descriptions available at MusicalsAtRichter.org.

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 14 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850.

April 9-10: Open auditions for Man of La Mancha, 7-10 pm both nights, director is Craig David Rosen (917-699-4045), performances will be weekends June 15-July 14 incl Sat matinees June 24 & July 1, contact director for full cast breakdown, visit TheaterBarn.org for directions to theater.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown (SCAN), at C.H. Booth Library 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 203-758-9166.

April 4: Receiving for 37th Annual Spring Juried Art Show, 3-7 pm, entry fee $15 for SCAN members, $20 non-members, for first piece of art, $5 for any second piece, to be considered for inclusion in Society of Creative Arts of Newtown show, jurors Abe Echevarria, Paul McCormack & Peter Seltzer will accept up to 150 works total for show to run April 7-15, visit SCANart.org for full prospectus or call show chair Anita Gregorski (phone # above) for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

March 31: Yale Gospel Choir at South Britain Congregational Church, Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd, South Britain (Southbury), 6 pm, suggested donation $5; 264-5890.

April 7: 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.

April 11: Ann & Pete Sibley at Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd, Easton, 7 pm, free concert by duo from Jackson Hole, Wyo. (former Easton residents & high school sweethearts) will offer folk, bluegrass & traditional incl original works; 261-0134.

April 14: The Barefield Ceili Band at Wilton High School, 395 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 7:30 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 students & children, ensemble of 14 All-Ireland Champion musicians (incl fiddlers, concertina, accordion, drums, flute & uileann pipe) & dancers direct from County Clare, Ireland, directed by Denis Liddy, will offer performance suitable for all ages; 203-431-4707 (Creative Connections).

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: March 31, “Hills of Home: Doc Watson & Friends,” tickets $35 & $40, performance by legendary folk singer Doc Watson w/ guests grandson Richard Watson & David Holt, whom he has mentored & has worked with in studio & on the road; April 10, Jazz Ensemble Spring Concert, 7 & 8:30 pm, tickets $8 adults, $5 students, ensemble will be joined by jazz pianist Ray Kennedy for both performances, program to incl student work & arrangements; April 14, Glee Club 60th Anniversary Concert, $10 adults, $6 students, gala performance will feature sacred & secular music, world premier by American composer Gwyneth Walker (“Songs to the Lord of Peace”) & other works.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: March 31, Little River Band, tickets $55.

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-438-3889.

Concerts at Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Rd/Rte 116, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $15-$50: April 14, “Brahms Blockbusters,” guest pianist Michelle Kim, program to incl Hungarian Dance No. 1 in G minor, Piano Concerto No. 2 in B Flat & Symphony No. 4 in E minor.

Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra, at East Ridge Middle School, 10 East Ridge Rd, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-3889.

April 1, RSYO & Ridgefield Symphony Junior Orchestra performance, 4 pm.

Wooster Jazz Society, Wooster School, 1 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury. Call 830-3963, 830-3964.

2006-07 series, tickets $35 (members $30), students free, concerts 8 pm: April 14, The George King, Jr Group.

Films _________________

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

Special program: March 31, screening of An Inconvenient Truth, 2 pm, remarks by Mayor Mark Boughton, screening will be followed by discussion led by environmental consultant Jack Kozuchowski.

Independent Film Series, free, screenings at 2 pm: April 1, The Middle of The World.

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: Rock on Mars! Mon-Fri 3:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1 & 3 pm, designed for ages 8 & up; Wonderful Sky, Mon-Fri 1 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, designed for ages 7 & under.

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

March 30-April 4: The Queen (pg-13), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Through June 14: The Human Body, Mon-Fri 11 am, 1 & 3 pm; Sat-Sun, 11 am, 1, 3 & 4 pm; Ocean Wonderland; daily 2 pm; Whales, daily at noon.

Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St, New Haven. Call 203-432-8842.

Art & Music Film Series, free screenings, 2 pm: April 7, The Skull (1965); April 14, O Lucky Man! (1973), **screening begins at 1:30.

For Kids & Families _________

March 31: The Donkey puppet play, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, 10 am, free performance perfect for 3- to 6-year olds & parent/guardian; 364-1113.

April 7: Easter Eggstravaganza & Breakfast, Congregational Church of Easton, Center Rd at Westport Rd, Easton, 8:30-11 am (early bird “Time with The Times,” 8 am, adm $4), adm $6 adults, $5 children, Easter egg dyeing, games, crafts & other activities, pancake breakfast, spring boutique, all welcome; 261-2527.

April 14: Earth Art for Kids, Flanders Nature Center, Flanders at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 10 am-12:30 pm, $15 members, $20 non-members, program for help budding artists develop drawing & paintings skills while developing lifelong love of art & nature, dress for messes, program to incl outdoor hiking & working on art using wet & dry mediums, reservations required; 203-263-3711.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: March 31, Quilting Workshop, 10 am-noon, students age 11 & adults invited to make hand-pieces squares to be joined together for a friendship quilt to be auctioned later this year, no experience necessary.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: April 4, NewtownREADS YA BookTalk, 4 pm **in Antiques Room (3rd floor), discussion of Mississippi Trial 1955 by Chris Crowe & To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee, two books about southern life, justice & other similar themes.

 

 

Miscellaneous ___________

March 30-31: Whose Barn Is It Anyway? Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield, doors open 7, curtain at 8 pm, tickets $20, evening of improv by The Role in The Hay Players will double as fundraiser for theater’s future addition; 203-431-9850.

March 31: Annual SNAN Spring Bake Sale, Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 10 am-2 pm, sale of fresh-baked goods will benefit Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown, donations welcome; 426-0253, 263-1933.

March 31: “Research on The Dunn and Dunn Learning-Style Model: Introduction to Brain Behavior and Practical Applications,” WCSU Westside Campus Center, Lake Ave, Danbury, 8:30 am, free lecture by Dr Rita Dunn; 837-8879.

March 31: Friends of Ridgefield Library Book Sale, Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 9 am-5 pm, lag collection of paperback & children’s books being offered, prices start at 50¢; 203-438-8093 (Bob Leavitt), 203-438-2282 (library).

March 31: 22nd Annual Breath of Spring Artisans & Crafters Show & Sale, New Fairfield High School, Gillotti Rd, New Fairfield, 10 am-4 pm, 65+ artisans from Northeast w/ traditional crafts, folk art, glassware, metalwork, jewelry & wooden items, also Community Service Club of New Fairfield cookbooks, raffles, refreshments, proceeds benefit Community Service Club.

March 31: Odd Fellows Fundraising Roast Beef Dinner, Odd Fellows Hall, 25 Danbury Rd, New Milford, 5-7 pm, adm $8 adults, $5 seniors & ages 5-12, free ages 4 & under, all-you-can-eat dinner will double as fundraiser; 860-354-7966.

March 31-April 1: Seventh Annual St Rose Easter Boutique, St Rose Parish Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, Sat 10 am-7 pm,  Sun 8:30 am-2 pm, spring & Easter gifts & novelties, religious items, also church’s annual plant sale; 426-1014.

March 31-April 1: Super Train Exhibition XVII, Brookfield Historical Society & Museum, Rte 25 at 133, Brookfield Center, 10 am-5 pm, adm $3 adults, $2 historical society members & senior citizens, $1 ages 7-14, free ages 6 & under, numerous model train layouts ranging from Z, N & HO to S, O & G scales, also memorabilia, photos, videos, antiques, artwork, vendors & more,   proceeds to benefit future historical society public programs; 740-8140.

April 1: Spring Welcome Craft Fair, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, 11 am-5 pm, free adm; 261-2414.

April 2: “The Battle of Gettysburg, Day One,” Brookfield Historical Society & Museum, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield  Center, 7:30 pm, free lecture & presentation by Peter Cronin will focus on the events leading to the fateful confrontation of 2 opposing brigades in July 1863, which eventually mushroomed into costliest battle of Civil War, attendees invited to bring Civil War memorabilia to show & discuss; 740-8140.

April 3: BNI Brookfield chapter breakfast meeting, Franco’s Ristorante, 265 Federal Rd, Brookfield, 7-8:30 am, newcomers welcome, presentation on “Real Estate Trends” by Linda McCaffrey (McCaffrey Real Estate); 794-1114.

April 4: WCSU evening observation “Star Party,” WCSU solar observation, Western CT State University Science Building Observatory (midtown campus), Osborne St at James Roach Ave, Danbury, 8-10 pm, free; 837-8672.

April 7: 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.

April 7: Signs of Spring Walk & Talk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 10-11:30 am, free program w/ staff of environmental center will have participants search for sights & sounds of new season incl looking for returning birds, awakening frogs, emerging pond life & more, conditions may be muddy – dress accordingly; 734-2513.

April 7: WCSU planetarium show & telescope viewing, Western CT State University Westside Observatory, off Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, free screening of “Stars Of Spring” 7:30-8:30 pm, then viewings (also free) of night sky through university’s 20” Ritchey-Chretien reflector telescope will run 8:30-10:30 pm, call if cloudy or inclement weather; 837-8372.

April 10: NewtownREADS BookTalk, Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 1 pm, free discussion of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird will continue town-wide Mockingbird-related series; 426-4533 (Booth Library for details).

April 12: “How and Why Science Makes the News” lecture, Western CT State Univ Science Building Room 125 (midtown campus), Osborne St at Dr James Roach Ave, Danbury, 7 pm, free lecture by NY Times senior science writer Cornelia Dean will cover what makes science “newsworthy” & why some science stories make the morning newspaper nor evening news; 837-9365.

April 12: “RX For Fashion,” Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, 6:30 pm, tickets $125, dinner by Bernard’s, fashion show featuring 24 members Danbury Hospital-affiliated “supermodels” (hospital leadership, clinical operations staff & Associate Board of Development Fund) will feature wardrobe from Lord & Taylor, proceeds will benefit Caroline’s Room at Danbury Hospital; 797-7227.

April 12: WCSU planetarium show & telescope viewing, Western CT State University Westside Observatory, off Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, free screening of “Stars Of Spring” 7:30-8:30 pm, then viewings (also free) of night sky through university’s 20” Ritchey-Chretien reflector telescope will run 8:30-10:30 pm, call if cloudy or inclement weather; 837-8372.

April 14: Naugatuck Historical Society Museum Grand Reopening Celebration, 195 Water St (old RR station), Naugatuck, 6-9 pm, $10 donation suggested, musical entertainment, refreshments, silent auction to raise funds for museum & society’s continued work; 203-729-9039.

Active Singles. Call 860-253-9782, 860-489-9611.

Hikes for singles ages 30s-50s held 1st & 3rd Sun/month, hikes 9:30-11:30 am, free, hikes available in 4 difficulty levels, no dogs or children: April 1, Upper Paugussett State Forest, Newtown. 

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Free public programs: April 3, “The Growing Problem of Invasive Plants,” 7 pm, presentation by master gardener Larry Birch, reservations suggested.

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

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9:30 am (later start during winter season), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: March 31, short local hike followed by potluck lunch for spring schedule planning (contact Evelyn Schonberg for further information & food coordination, 426-0425).

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.

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 $20/year.

Theatre ______________

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

Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, through April 1, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $22-$57.

I Am My Own Wife, April 12-May 13, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Tues-Thurs 7:30 pm (also Sun, April 15 & 29, May 6), mat Sat (April 14 & 21 only)-Sun 2 pm, tickets $22-$57.

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

Special Events: Whose Barn Is It Anyway? March 30-31, doors open 7, curtain at 8 pm, tickets $20, evening of improv by The Role in The Hay Players will double as fundraiser for theater’s future addition.

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-757-4676.

Viagara Falls, through April 15, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $27-$45; March 30, Dessert Night; April 13, Wine & Martini Night.

Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court (off Rte 1), Westport. Call 203-227-4177.

All About Us, April 10-28 (previews April 10-13; opening night April 14), curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $35-$65 (previews $30-$50).

 

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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.