Antiques Shows _________________

Saturdays: Woodbury Flea Market, 44 Sherman Rd (Rte 64 near Rte 6), Woodbury, opens 7:30 am, free adm & parking, up to 42 vendors w/ emphasis on early items & antiques, also plants & flowers; 203-263-62147.

Sundays: Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2 pm (early buying 5:45, $20), adm $2, free ages 12 & under, leave pets home, vendors offer antiques, collectibles & misc, refreshments available; 508-265-9911.

May 7: 49th annual Outdoor Ridgefield Antiques Market, Lounsbury House (Ridgefield Community Center), 316 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 10 am-5 pm (no early buying; rain or shine event), $7, free age 13 & under, appraisals (11-4, $5/item, limit 3 items), proceeds to benefit community center; 914-273-4667 (show phone 914-589-1355).

Art Exhibits ____________________

Discovery Museum & Planetarium, 4450 Park Avenue, Bridgeport; 203-372-3521.

Through May 15: “Guitar: The Instrument That Rocked The World,” touring exhibition from The National Guitar Museum will debut in Bridgeport w/ showcase of the unique legacy of the guitar in entertaining, engaging & hands-on experiences.

The Gallery at Hunt Hill Farm, 44 Upland Hill Rd, New Milford; 860-355-0300.

*(new show) April 30-June 5: “A Visual Dialogue,” narrative symbolic abstractions in oil & acrylic by Ginger Hanrahan, colorful layered rectilinear compositions by Derek Leka & charcoal figurative drawings by Donna Cleary; April 30, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

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

Through May 30: “On The Road: People, Places and Things, a photographic essay,” visual images by the primarily self-taught photographer Tom Kretsch that capture calm & soothing moments incl shots of Tuscany, Spain, Mexico, Maine, Newfoundland, Cape Cod, Alaska, The Madeline Islands and his hometown of Westport.

Gunn Memorial Museum, 5 Wykeham Road (at Rte 47), Washington Green; 860-868-7756.

*(new show) May 1-Oct 30: “Letters From The Battlefield: Stories of Washington’s Civil Wars,” evolu-tion of Washington as slave-supporting community to one that emerged to side of abolitionist forces during & after Civil War explored through letters, photos & other era artifacts, also new mural by Keith Templeton, Chris Zaima & Susan Newbury; May 1, Civil War Encampment, 10 am-4 pm (on museum grounds), also Civil War church service (10:30 am, First Congregational Church, on the green), Remembrance Ceremony to honor Washington residents of Civil War at noon.

Haas Library at Western CT State Univ, Osborne St at Fifth Ave, Danbury; 203-837-9110.

Through April 30: “The Legacy of Our Civil War: 150 Years After Fort Sumter,” letters, photos, newspapers & period literature from Civil War & its immediate aftermath from WCSU Archives.

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

The Artist’s Corner (in Museum Shop, can be visited without paying full museum adm): Through April 30: “Sun Spirits,” Plains style chokers, breast plates, belts & bracelets by Mag-La-Que, hand carved from bone & horn w/ glass beads & semi-precious stones.

(Artist’s Corner for May) *(new show) May 1-31: drums & rattles by Cree artist Terri (Many Feathers) Delahanty.

Morrison Gallery, 5 Maple St, Kent; 860-927-4501.

Through May 29: works by Warner Friedman, Jean-Claude Goldberg, Gary Komarin, Jonathan Perlowsky, Jonathan Prince & Janet Rickus.

Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose St, Newtown; 203-270-4201.

*(new show) May 2-20: “Roosters: past and present,” works by Diane Dutchick’s Newtown High School Painting I students, who did paintings in style of movement or artist of their choice, all incorporating a rooster into each work.

Auditions, Juried Events  ________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, 182 Whisconier Road (Route 25, behind town library), Brookfield Center; 203-775-0023.

May 1-2: Auditions for summer production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, ages 6-12 will be seen Sun 12-2 pm, adults Sun 4-8 pm, callbacks Mon 7-10 pm, those auditioning asked to prepare 16 bars of upbeat song to show voice & personality, bring sheet music (accompanist provided), adults also prepare 1-min contemporary/comedic monologue, all wear comfortable clothing for dance portion of audition, production to run weekends July 1-23, send email to TBTA@BrookfieldTheatre.org or call above phone # for addt’l info.

Flanders Nature Center, Flanders Rd, Woodbury; 203-263-3711.

May 20: Deadline for entries for First Annual Fiber Art Exhibition & Sale, to be presented May 21-22, entries sought in quilting, weaving, knitting, crochet, needle felting, wet felting, fiber art dolls, spinning, dyeing, embroidery, rugs, needlepoint, buttons and beads, fiber art & multi-media art from local artists, visit FlandersNatureCenter.org or call above phone # for details.

May 20: Deadline for entry forms for Recycle Runway Fashion Show, outfits by kids, adults, families & groups ($5/individual or $15/group of 3 or more, which incl Farm Day Festival admission), designers must supply list of materials used, models under 18 will need signed parental consent form, visit FlandersNatureCenter.org or call above phone # for full details.

Town Players of Newtown, at The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown.

May 9 & 11: Auditions for Oliver Goldsmith’s She Stoops To Conquer, 7-9:30 pm each night, director Ruth Anne Baumgartner has roles for 9 versatile men & 4 women of varying ages, English accents a plus, cold readings from script, no children at auditions, production to run Fri-Sun July 8-24, sent email to info@TownPlayers.org for addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events _______

April 30: New York Polyphony at Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St, Newtown, 8 pm, free performance by renowned choral ensemble celebrated for its wide ranging styles, wine & cheese reception to follow, freewill offering will be taken, hosted by Music @ Trinity; 203-426-9070.

April 30: “Our Stories, Our Art,” Naugatuck Valley Mainstage Theater, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 8 pm, $10, annual spring concert by NVCC Dance Dept will incl biographical creations by NVCC students & mixed media works by artist & teacher Florin Ion Firimitã, also works by NVCC & Pomperaug High School art students on view in lobby; 203-575-8276.

May 6: Blondie Chaplin & Friends at Weston High School, 115 School Rd, Weston, 8 pm, free performance by guitarist who has performed with The Rolling Stones, et al, hosted by Weston Commission for the Arts; 203-291-1600.

May 7: “Salute To The Brave – Music Inspired by War and Peace” by The Wind Ensemble of Western CT, Naugatuck Valley Community College Mainstage Theater, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 7:30 pm, $5, free age 12 & under, performance by 48-pc band will incl music that relates to war throughout history & movies w/ special musical tribute to incl themes of all branches of military, proceeds to benefit The CT Veterans Organization & The CT State Veterans Memorial Campaign; 203-426-6148.

May 8: Newtown Choral Society Spring Concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 3 pm, $10, $8 senior citizens & ages 12 & under, choir of non-auditioned singers from area towns will be joined by Candlewood Children’s Chorus for major 19th Century opera choruses of 19th Century & iconic 20th Century American music; 203-326-3769.

For Kids & Families ______________

May 7: Caroline’s Garden: A Fairy & Wizard Festival, Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St South/Rte 61, Bethlehem, 1-4 pm, $7, $6 students, teachers & seniors, $4 ages 6-18, free ages 5 & under & CT Landmarks members, strolling puppeteer & fairy tale reading (1 pm), pony rides (1:15-2:30), magic tricks & magic show by Daniel Green Wolf (3 pm), Fairy Parade (3:30, costumes encouraged), cake cutting (3:45), also children’s art show, refreshments, fairy wand making & craft projects & more; 203-266-7596.

May 7: National Train Day Celebration at Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, $6, $5 seniors, $4 ages 3-12, free age 2 & under, educational activities & train rides within railyard, etc; 203-778-8337.

Miscellaneous ___________________

April 30: Gardening & Bulb Swap, Farmers’ Market location, Keating Farms Rd (within Fairfield Hills campus), Newtown, registration 9:45 am, program to begin at 10, $5 &  at least 1 item to swap, annual or perennial seeds or plants in good health, also new or used gardening tools, books or related items in good condition for swap event hosted by Trinity Production; 203-426-9448.

April 30: 4th Annual Newtown Earth Day Festival, Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown, 10 am-4 pm,  family fun & learning designed to highlight town’s abundant natural resources & help community become greener incl activities for kids (return of The Environmental Maze), 70+ local businesses & vendors, live music & performances, refreshments, Lions Club Lose The Little, Recycled Art Show, ecumenical sunrise service & much more.

April 30: Ladies Spring Brunch at The Sherman Church, 6 Church Rd, Sherman, 10 am, freewill offering, presentation on “A Life That Blossoms; Yours Can Too!” by Alice McCullough, reservations requested; 860-354-6114.

May 1: “The Cure Is Only A Sip Away,” McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 1-4 pm, $25/advance, $30/day of, fundraiser for Leukemia & Lymphoma Society will offer wine tastings, catered hors d’oeuvres and live music; 203-665-1400.

May 1: Second Annual Wilton Go Green Festival, Wilton Library & Town Green, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd, Wilton, 11 am-4 pm (road races, Family Fun Walk & bicycle rides begin earlier, visit WiltonLibrary.org for details), guided river tour (3 pm), student art exhibit, energy audit into, refreshments, 80+ exhibits incl solar panel use & info, companies dedicated to sustainable living & more, giant Earth Balloon, “Wildman” Steve Brill program (11 am), silent auction (11-3), free shredding of unwanted paper (also 11-3), live music & more; 203-762-3950.

May 1: Tea Party at Griffin Hospital Dining Room, 130 Division St, Derby, 2-4 pm, $30, tea lovers of all ages invited for savories & hot tea, live music, also prize for Best Hat, door prizes, raffles, proceeds to benefit Griffin Hospital Valley Breast Care Fund; 203-732-7431, 203-888-3290.

May 1: CCS Annual Fundraiser Auction at Woodbury Senior/Community Center, 265 Main St South/Rte 6. Woodbury, 2:30-5:30 pm, $15, annual event hosted by & fundraiser for CT Choral Society will offer live entertainment, silent & live auctions, wine tasting, food & beverages; 203-206-7186.

May 2: “Revolutionary War Medicine and Surgery,” The Brookfield Museum, 165 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25 (at Rte 133), Brookfield Center, 7:30 pm, free program by Dr Raymond Sullivan; 203-740-8140.

May 4: “A Life of the Land: Connecticut’s Jewish Farmers,” The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 11 am, $10, program by Mary Donahue & Dr Briann Greenfield on the massive emigration of Jews from Europe to US by late 19th Century & their focus on CT incl Newtown, Norwich, Colchester & East Haddam, reservations requested; 203-753-0381.

May 5: National Day of Prayer 2011, The Alexandria Room at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 6-8 pm, free, prayers for seven areas of life, also Scripture readings and hymns, following 2011 theme of “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God”; 203-268-9555.

May 6-7: Annual Mother’s Day Plant Sale, Center Firehouse, 461 Main St South, Southbury, Fri 12-7 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm, hanging baskets w/ ivy geraniums, begonias, fuchsias, petunias, et al, also flats & pots of annual bedding plants & some perennials, sold by Ladies Auxiliary of Southbury Volunteer Firemen’s Assn to benefit fire company.

May 7: 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.

May 9: “Outlaws, Villains and Rogues,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free program by musician & storyteller Rick Spencer will incl stories & music from the 1700s to mid 20th Century, hosted by Newtown Historical Society; 203-426-5937.

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

(FILM) April 29-May 4: The King’s Speech (PG-13), Fri-Sat 7 & 9:10 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Sun 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

May 8, Wolf Awareness: A Visit from Atka, 1 pm, $10 ($8 mothers), $6 children, staff from The Wolf Conservation Center of New York will have Atka, an arctic gray wolf, to talk about wolf population in CT, why wolves howl, their lifespan, etc.

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, 9 am (spring & fall start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: April 30, High Rock–Beacon Falls–Naugatuck State Forest (3 miles; Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); May 7, Bennett’s Pond Trail, Ridgefield (Sally Cox, 203-426-9903).

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 May 4.

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level, use rear parking lot), 45 Main Street, Newtown; 203-270-4377.

Shop is open Wed 12-3 pm & Sat 9 am-noon, discounted items incl clothing, sm home accessories & more.

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

Through May 9, 41st Annual SCAN Spring Juried Art Show, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St, Newtown, traditional & contemporary works in oil, pastel, watercolors, acrylics, mixed media, graphics & sculpture by regional artists (contact show chair Grace McEnaney for details, 203-270-1663); May 1, opening reception & awards ceremony, 2-4 pm.

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; 203-702-7577.

Shows at Savin Rock Roasting Company, 946 Ferry Blvd, Stratford, 9 pm, $15 unless noted: April 30, Kevin Brown, $19.50.

Theatre _________________________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center; 203-775-0023.

Sylvia, April 29-May 14, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 8 only) 2 pm (special performance will be preceded with Mother’s Day Tea & Coffee Tasting, also treats from Simpson & Vail), $20, $15 students.

Pomperaug Theater Company, at Pomperaug Regional High School, 12 Judd Rd, Southbury; 203-262-3247.

Cinderella (Enchanted Edition), May 6-8, curtain Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2:30 pm, $15, $10 seniors & students, production by students of PHS.

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: May 6, Our Lady of Allapattah, season finale is for mature audiences.

Town Players of Newtown, at The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown; 203-270-9144.

Cash on Delivery!, May 6-22, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, $20 (see note about opening night ticket price), $10 age 10 & under, note: play contains adult themes that may not be appropriate for children; May 6, benefit performance for Newtown Congregational Church, tickets $25, pre-show reception, call 203-426-9024 for these tickets.

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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 Enjoy must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to Associate Editor Shannon Hicks, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or shannon@thebee.com.