Antiques Shows  ________________________

April 9-10: 6th Annual Vintage Clothing, Accessories, Textiles & Jewelry Show & Sale, Police Athletic League building, 25 Hayestown Rd, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, $7, free age 13 & under, dealers from tri-state area & MA participating; 914-273-4667 (show phone 914-589-1355).

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places        ___________________________

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room): *(new show) April 2-27, Flagpole Photographers Annual Exhibit, over 100 photographs by members of local photographer club to be exhibited; April 2, opening reception & awards ceremony, 3:30 pm.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton; 203-261-0134.

*(new show) April 6-May 17: “The Will Variations: a two-generation study of color and texture,” acrylics, pastels, sculpture & watercolors by Connie Will, art quilts & wearable art by (her daughter) Mary Will Sussman; April 9, opening reception, 12-2:30 pm.

Gallery at The Historic Arcade Mall, 1001-12 Main St, Bridgeport; 203-522-4154.

Through April 8: “Paper or Plastic?” works by William Corprew, Mark DeRosa, Diane DiMassa, Jahmane, Richard Killeaney, Marcella Kovac, Philip Lique, Alan Neider & Rita Vally, who appropriate, reference & harness materials, branding strategies, symbols & themes found in consumer culture, juxtaposed w/ images of historic figures (such as Jahmane’s “MLBK Jr” or “Malcolm Exxon”).

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

*(new show) Through May 30: “On The Road: People, Places and Things, a photographic essay,” vis-ual images by the primarily self-taught photographer Tom Kretsch that capture calm & soothing mo-ments incl shots of Tuscany, Spain, Mexico, Maine, Newfoundland, Cape Cod, Alaska, The Madeline Islands and his hometown of Westport; April 3, opening reception, call gallery for time.

Kent Art Association, The Gallery at KAA, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent; 860-927-3989.

Through April 10: “KAA Member Show I,” original representational & non-representational work by members of KAA.

Koenig FrameWorks, 97 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-1887.

Through April 23: “Small Works: art for small spaces,” sm original works  in acrylic, oil, watercolor, mixed media, pen & ink, charcoal, pastel, sculpture, etchings & monoprints, none measuring more than 12 united (length plus width) inches; April 2, opening reception, 11 am-2 pm (note: rescheduled time due to anticipated weather on April 1).

Richter Association for the Arts, Richter House, 100 Aunt Hack La, Danbury; 203-798-2245.

*(new show) April 9-10, “Members Art Show,” works by members of  Richter Association for the Arts; April 9, opening reception, 3 pm.

Sal e Pepe Contemporary Italian Bistro, 97 South Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-0805.

Through April 17: “Edge of Reality: Recent Paintings by Virginia Zic,” new works ranging from semi-abstract garden images to abstract landscape views by the Newtown artist.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield; 860-567-3163.

*(new show) April 9-May 7: “In Extremis: The Stations of the Cross, 14 Abstractions,” abstract paintings by Cornwall artist Harvey Offenhartz, inspired by the Stations of the Cross, circa 1995; April 9, opening reception, 3:30-5:30 pm (artist’s talk at 3:45).

Auditions, Juried Events _________________

Clear The Clutter Tailgate Tag Sale, at Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen Street, Newtown; 203-426-1035.

April 2: Deadline to register in advance for April 30 tag sale being organized by Newtown Woman’s Club Inc., to run 8 am-4 pm, parking spaces to be used as space markers, $25/adv fee ($35/day of, cash only), residents & organizations invited to clean closets, basements, attics, etc & sell off whatever they can, unsold items must leave w/ vendors at end of day (nothing to be left on school grounds), proceeds to benefit club’s philanthropic efforts, mail checks w/ note of vehicle size (up to small SUV can use one space; large SUVs, vans & trucks will need to reserve 2 spaces) & license plate to Newtown Woman’s Club GFWC Inc, PO Box 101, Newtown CT 06470, contact Anna Wiedemann at above phone # for details & addt’l info.

Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, at Roger Ludlowe Middle School, 789 Unquowa Rd, Fairfield; 203-452-0003.

April 10: Music students in Fairfield & New Haven counties entering grades 5-12 for 2011-12 school year invited to open GBYO rehearsal, 2-3:30 pm, audition info available, tours of rehearsal areas, current members & parents will answer questions about GBYO’s 5 performing ensembles (Principal, Symphony, Concert, String Orchestra & Wind Ensemble), visit www.gbyo.org or contact Executive Director Barbara Upton at above phone # for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events ________________

April 1: 2011 String Jam Fest, 6-8 pm, Newtown High School cafetorium, 12 Berkshire Road, string players from the community invited to participate in solo, duet & group performances, refreshments available; 203-426-7646 extension 8783.

April 2: 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.

April 2: The Baltimore Consort at St John’s Episcopal Church, 78 Green Hill Rd, Washington, 8 pm, $20, performance by 6-member group that has made its reputation through study & performance of early English, Spanish & French popular music; 860-868-2527.

April 8: Craobh Rua at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, $20, $5 children, live performance by one of Belfast’s leading traditional Irish music bands, hosted by The Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society, reservations strongly suggested; 203-254-1271.

April 9: “Of Piano and Cello,” Henderson Cultural Center/The Silo at Hunt Hill Farm, 44 Upland Rd, New Milford, 6 pm, $35 ($25 members), $5 children, performance by pianist Sharon Ruchman & pianist Mary Costanza will incl piano-cello duets composed by Ms Ruchman from her 2 CDs; 860-355-0300.

April 10: “Look At The World: A Benefit for The Jericho Partnership,” First Congregational Church, 164 Deer Hill Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, $20, performance by CT Choral Society, w/ organist Mark Pacoe & organist & pianist Linda Sweetman-Waters, will incl works of John Rutter & Louis Vierne, also song honoring Nelson Mandela & Pieter de Klerk, concert to raise awareness of & proceeds to benefit The Jericho Partnership (serving youth, homeless & other at-risk communities); 203-206-7186.

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: April 10, The Anteres Ensemble w/ guest soprano Sarah Wolfson, concert dedicated to the memory of Alfred T. Parrella will incl works of Schubert, Brahms & Ravel, also special pre-concert performance by The XY Chromotones.

For Kids & Families ______________________

April 8: St Rose Friday Night Bingo, St Rose School Gathering Hall, 40 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, doors open 5:45 pm, games begin at 6,  $17 covers all regular & many special games, door prizes, refreshments available for purchase, all ages welcome; 203-426-5102.

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

For Ages 4-5 & Adult (programs 1:15-2 pm, $8/child): April 8, Grow Your Own Easter Basket Grass, use grains to grow a plate of grass to line your Easter basket, bring a flat dish in the shape & size for your basket.

Family Programs: April 2, Galaxies, 8 pm, $6/person, $24/max family ($4 & $16 members, respectively), join amateur astronomers for closer look at spring constellations through telescopes, dress warmly & bring binoculars if poss.

Miscellaneous ____________________________

April 1: Friday Fish Fry, St Rose of Lima Gathering Hall, 42 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 5-8 pm,  $8, $5 child ($30 max/family), Lenten meal of fresh fish & French fries prepared by Knights of Columbus; 203-426-1014.

April 2: Spring Fever Fest at Maplewood of Newtown, 166 Mount Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 1-4 pm, $5 ($20 max/family), food, fun incl 50-50 raffle, cooking demos, games & crafts for all ages, Wii bowling, magician, CT Clay Artists bowl auction and more, all proceeds to benefit Kevin’s Community Center; 203-426-8118.

April 2: 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.

April 2-10: Super Train Exhibition XXI, Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, Rte 25 at Rte 133, Brookfield Center, Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, $4, $3 senior citizens (& museum members), $1 ages 7-14, free ages 6 & under, model train layouts in gauges Z.N, HO, S, O & G, also railroad memorabilia, photos, videos, antiques, artwork, displays, tours & model trains for children to operate, also vending area, proceeds to benefit historical society & museum programs; 203-740-8140.

April 3: “Symphony of Smiles,” Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, noon, $10 donation, performances by members of Connecticut Dance!,  MegaHurtz Entertainment Company, Brady’s Bunch & The Coastal Chordsmen, proceeds to benefit Brady’s Smile, Inc; 203-258-5667.

April 3: “Suburban Dreams” Bus Tour, depart from & return to The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, $20 ($10 museum members), bus will depart 12:30 & return around 4, ride to Middlebury for guided tour w/ curator Rachel Carley to see many of the homes featured in museum’s current exhibition, also stop at Middlebury Historical Society for light refreshments, reservations required; 203-753-0381 x10.

April 5: 3rd annual Ladies Night Out Spring Fashion Show, at River Glen Health Care Center, 162South Britain Rd/Rte 172, Southbury, 5-7 pm, free event w/ fashions from Dress Barn & jewelry from Gayle O’Neill Fine Jewelry to be modeled by staff of River Glen, also Home Instead Senior Care, Southbury Senior Center, Maplewood of Newtown, et al, complementary refreshments, door prizes, reservations requested; 203-264-9600.

April 7-10: Annual Benefit Tag Sale, Lourdes of Litchfield, 83 Montfort Rd, Litchfield, Thurs-Sat 9 am-4:30 pm, Sun 11:30 am-4:30 pm, one of shrine’s major fundraisers to prepare for upcoming Pilgrim-age Season; 860-567-1041.

April 9: 13th Annual Indoor Flea Market & Bake Sale, North Congregational Church, 11 Main St North (Rte 6 at 47), Woodbury, 9 am-2 pm, free adm, 30+ vendors, proceeds to support church missions, programs & projects; 203-263-2410.

April 9: “Line Up To Give Back,” Christ Church Parish, 184 Cross Hwy, Redding Ridge, 6:30 pm, $40 (reservations requested due to space & meal planning), country-western themed evening will incl BBQ pulled pork, baked beans, etc, line dancing, silent auction, pick-a-prize offerings, etc, adults only, proceeds to benefit church’s mission programs, thematic apparel encouraged; 203-938-0328, 203-938-2872.

April 9-10: 6th Annual Vintage Clothing, Accessories, Textiles & Jewlery Show & Sale, Police Athletic League buildling, 25 Hayestown Rd, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, $7, free age 13 & under, dealers from tri-state area & MA participating; 914-273-4667 (show phone 914-589-1355).

April 10: Interfaith Passover Seder, 4 pm, Congregation Adath Israel, 115 Huntingtown Road, $5, all ages & backgrounds invited to celebrate the historical celebration of freedom with members of local clergy, reservations requested, proceeds to benefit FAITH Food Pantry; 203-426-5188 or 203-364-9772.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave, Bethel; 203-794-8756.

April 5, “Planning A Chef’s Garden,” 6:30 pm, 90-min program by chef Mary Lawrence will blend gardening w/ a taste of spring, hosted by Bethel Garden Club, reservations requested.

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

April 1-7: The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (PG), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Sun 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

Flagpole Photographers Camera Club, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown; 203-426-2316.

April 2-27, Flagpole Photographers Annual Exhibit, over 100 photographs by members of local photographer club to be exhibited; April 2, opening reception & awards ceremony, 3:30 pm.

Newtown Toastmasters, Town Hall South Parks & Recreation Conference Room, 3 Main St, Newtown; 203-313-5507.

Local chapter (NewtownToastmasters.FreeToastHost.cc) of nat’l/international organization meets 1st & 3rd Wed/month, guests & newcomers welcome: next meeting April 6.

Treehouse Comedy Productions; 203-702-7577.

Shows at John J. Sullivan’s, 557 Wakelee Ave, Ansonia, 9 pm, $15 unless noted: April 1, Mitchell Walters (“The Area Code Guy”), Eric Deskin & John Iavarone opening.

Shows at Savin Rock Roasting Company, 946 Ferry Blvd, Stratford, 9 pm, $15 unless noted: April 2, Jim Florentine, $19.50, John Romanoff & Joe Pontillo opening; April 9, Jim Mendrinos, Mike Siscoe & Dave Konig opening.

Theatre__________________________________

Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport; 203-576-1636.

Nunset Boulevard: The Nunsense Hollywood Bowl Show, to April 17, curtain Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $39.50.

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

On Stage II: The Caucasian Chalk Circle, April 14-17, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, $12, $8, special engagement by Quinnipiac University Theater for Community.

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

Parade, through April 2, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, $26, $22 students & seniors.

Stray Kats Theatre Company, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-514-2221.

Staged readings, 7:30 pm, $25 (season subscription available), Q&A w/ actors & reception follows: April 8, Fibber McGee & Molly.

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Press releases for Enjoy must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Contact  Shannon Hicks,  shannon@thebee.com or 203-426-3141, for details.