Antiques Shows______

July 12; 30th Annual Madison Antiques Show, Madison Green, Rte 1, Madison, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, donation $3.50, free age 10 & under w/ adult, 100+ dealers, refreshments; 203-421-3241.

July 12-13: Sixth Annual Wethersfield Glass Show, Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St, Wethersfield, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $4; 860-257-3647.

July 26: 43rd Guilford Antiques Festival & Sale, Thomas Griswold House Museum, 171 Boston St, Guilford, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $4, 100 dealers; 203-795-6465, 203-458-2887.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places_______

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Thurs & Sat-Sun 1-5 pm, Fri 12-8 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through July 13, “Portrait Gallery,” sculpted portraits of the heads of artists, critics & art dealers by Nina Levy, w/ all portraits suspended roughly eye-level from the ceiling.

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

Through Aug 10, “DelecTABLE: Exceptional Functional Ceramics,” invitational exhibition created & curated by collector Gail M. Brown features work by 16 nat’l profile ceramic artists.

Flanders Nature Center Welcome Center, Church Hill at Flanders Rd, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3711.

Through July 31, “Picture Perfect: Natalie Van Vleck,” paintings & other works by Natalie Van Vleck, founder of Flanders, in direct response to the beauty she found on her land, in its buildings, & in the animals & people surrounding her, complements Mattatuck Museum’s major summer exhibition.

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

Through Aug 25, recent paintings by the acclaimed French artist Jean Duranel & striking photography by CT native Ted Witek.

Gregory James Gallery, Bank Street Plaza, 27 Main St, New Milford. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm. *note: this is gallery’s new location & hours.  Call 860-354-3436.

Through July 13, “New Work,” 40 brand-new works incl oil landscapes by Christopher M. Magadini.

Grey Horse Gallery, 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34 (in old Masonic Temple, 1st floor; behind St John’s Episcopal Church), Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Permanent display of oils & pastels by Dick McEvoy.

Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47), Washington Green. Call 860-868-7586.

Through July 7, works by Gabrielle Ammirati ranging from landscapes to surrealistic images.

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

Through July 10, handmade furniture incl desk, bed, dining table & bookcase made of Honduran mahogany by Strother Purdy & colorful, impressionistic paintings by Janine Wesselmann.

*(new show) July 12-Aug 21, “Quiet Reductions,” photographs by George Incandela, who “draws” w/ photographic chemicals so that viewers see brush strokes, highlights & multiple perspectives, and ceramics by Ann Mallory who creates sculptural forms & vessels that focus on the spiritual essence of a subject; July 12, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Hours: Tues, Thurs-Fri & Sun 12-5 pm, Wed 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm. Museum Highlights Tour offered each Sun at 2 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

Through July 13, “Winslow Homer’s America,” the complete collection of 220 woodcuts creater by Homer early in his career as an illustrator (age 21-

Ridgefield Community Center/The Lounsbury House, 316 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Hours: Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm. Call 203-438-6962.

Through July 17, “The Ordinary Is Extraordinary,” recent paintings by Janno (nee Jannette McLaughlin).

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-278-2670.

Through July 6, “Structures of Difference,” works made during the past 50 yrs incl figurative & abstract painting, photography & sculpture, all linked by the idea of difference.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm (closed Wed), Sun 2-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

July 5-6, 12th Annual WAA Clothesline Art & Craft Sale, Washington Town Hall green, 10 am-4 pm both days rain or shine, oils, acrylics, watercolors, sculpture, photos, collages, prints, plus unique jewelry, ceramics, art glass, toys, hats, clothing by regional artists & artisans.

Weston Library, 58 Norfield Rd, Weston. Hours: Mon-Tues, Thurs-Fri 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Wed 4-7 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-222-2656.

*(new show) Through Aug 9, “59th Annual Summer Art Exhibition,” works by returning artists (incl Maria Jarreau-Heller, Jen Shelley & Carolyn Larsen) & new talent in oils, watercolors, pastels, drawings & sculpture.

Through July 5, “Weaving Wonders,” 51 original weaving by Weston resident & self-taught artists Frank & the late Julia Conway.

Wilton Historical Society/Wilton Heritage Museum, 224 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-4 pm, some Sundays 1-4 pm (call ahead). Call 203-762-7257.

Through Aug 31, “Wilton Collects,” collections of Wilton residents incl folk art, Orientalia, Shaker, political Americana, also children’s rock collections, Beanie Babies, foreign money, more;

Wooster Community Art Center, 73 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury. Gallery hours: M-F 9:30 am-6:30 pm. Call 744-4825.

*(new show) July 7-Aug 29, ceramic work by David Frank; July 11, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-2800.

Through July 20, “Bill Brandt: A Retrospective,” major touring exhibition spans Brandt’s photographic career w/ 155 vintage gelatin prints from Bill Brandt Archive in London; July 5, YCBA introductory tour, 11 am; July 5, exhibition tour, noon; July 17, exhibition tour, 11 am; July 19, architectural tour of YCBA, 11 am; July 19, exhibition tour, noon.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Masterpiece Tours of Permanent Collection every Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through July 6, “Homer To Hopper: Masters of American Watercolor,” works by Winslow Homer (ca 1870s) coupled w/ pcs that follow elevated standing of watercolor in American art history incl Eakins, La Farge, Prendergast, Singer Sargent, Demuth, Burchfield, Hopper, et al.

*(please note: as of May 18, all exhibitions & most programs are in adjacent Egerton Swartwout building; YUAG will be undergoing extensive renovations for two years.)

Auditions, Juried Events 

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-591-8223 x24.

July 12: Auditions for 5th Annual Comedy Festival, by appt only (call Jessica Grover at # above for appt), must have 5 minutes of material prepared, video submissions accepted by July 1 (call for details), open to professional & non-professional, male & female, accepting all comic acts (stand-up, impressionists, comedy prop acts), July 12 early auditions followed by 8 pm performance to audience, semifinals on July 18 before audience, July 26 Laugh Off performance will be before audience & taped for CPTV, cash prizes & bookings awarded.

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

July 13-14: Auditions for Lives of The Saints, Sun 2-4 pm, Mon 7-9, open auditions for ensemble cast of off-beat comedy to be presented weekends Sept 5-27, directors are Mary Poile and Rob Pawlikowski.

Concerts, Musical Events

July 6: US Army Field Band & Soldiers Chorus, Veterans Park field, 8 Governor St, Ridgefield (rain location Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Rd), 6 pm, free outdoor concert w/ full band & chorus, also 5 cannons & church bells for 1812 Overture; 203-438-8684.

July 10: Angkor Dance Troupe at Chase Plaza/City Hall Annex, 999 Broad St, Bridgeport, noon, free, opening concert of 6th Annual International Performing Arts Summer Sounds of the World will offer elegant classic & lively folk dance of Cambodia by leading Cambodian dancers in exotic costumes; 203-367-7917.

July 10: Banjo Dan & The Midnite Plowboys at Bridgeport Ferry Terminal, Water St, Bridgeport, 6 pm, free performance opens International Performing Arts 6th Annual Summer Sounds of the World evening series w/ “exciting music, spontaneous humor & great entertainment by Northeast’s leading bluegrass band” (CD Review); 203-367-7917.

July 12: 29th Annual Pickin’ & Fiddlin’ Contest, Hurlburt Park, Apple La, Roxbury, starts 5 pm, spectator adm $10; 860-354-7210, 860-350-3228..

July 12: Vance Gilbert at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport, tickets $17.50, gates open 6 pm, opening set by Kim & Reggie Harris begins 6:45 pm, Gilbert’s set begins 7:30, annual ZooFolk series continues w/ contemporary folk superstar headlining, concerts outdoors (in Carousel Museum if rain), picnics welcome (no alcohol allowed in park); 203-394-6565.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-4519.

Stage A/Performance Art & Music Series, performances 8 pm: July 11, Andy Stochansky, tickets $20, pop-rock performance by former Ani DiFranco drummer now supporting his own “richly melodic & ambient pop sound” release, Five Star Motel.

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

2003 Summer Concert Series, 7 pm, performances on library’s back lawn, indoors if rain: July 18, Washboard Slim & The Blue Lights.

CHIRP 2003 (Concert Happenings In Ridgefield’s Parks), Ballard Park, off Main Street/Rte 35, Ridgefield..Call 203-431-2760.

Free concerts (donations gratefully accepted & used to pay performers’ fees, also series scheduling, park maintenance, etc), performances 7 pm, rain location is Temple Shearith Isreal (400 Main St): July 8, The Fairfield Counts, 18-pc swing band w/ vocalist plays favorites from Big Band era; July 15, Billy Jonas, solo performer w/ original songs & makeshift instruments “magnetizes audiences of all ages.”

CityCenter Danbury Green, Ives St & Patriot Dr, Danbury. Call 792-1711.

Summertime Festival 2003/Family Nights, Thurs 6:30 pm, free: July 10, The Zucchini Brothers, “the Beatles of kids music” offer a stir-fry of musical styles; July 17, Island Rhythm Extravaganza, rhythms of calypso, steel drums & beach party music.

Summertime Festival 2003, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, free: July 4-5, no concerts Independence Day Weekend; July 11, Meia Agua, Brazilian group performs samba, bossa nova & authentic native rhythms; July 12, Cinema, 70s classics & progressive rock (rain location Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St); July 18, The Danbury Brass Band, 24 professional musicians offer unique repertoire of diverse musical periods & styles incl military suites, marches & jazz; July 19, Lenahan, “one of top Celtic rock bands in the world” (The Washington Post; **rain location Rogers Park School, 21 Memorial Dr).

Gate House Coffee House, Rte 172, Southbury. Call 586-2144 (Southbury Training School).

2003 Summer Concert Series, 2nd & 4th Tues, 6:30 pm (under pavilion if rain), free adm: July 8, Rani Arbo & daisy mayhem, “harmonious, melodious, groove delicious string band.”

The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown. Call 426-8118.

Summer 2003 Concerts in The Courtyard series, performances Tues 7 pm, free: July 8, The Kenny Lee Band, hits from 1940s-50s.

Ives Concert Park, WCSU westside campus, University Blvd, Danbury. Call 837-9226 (or TicketMaster, 744-8100).

2003 Summer Concert Series, tickets $3 higher day of show, all shows $26 for adult/lawn (unless noted), $11 children/lawn, children ages 2 & under free/lawn: July 5, Annual Pops & Fireworks Concert, 7:30 pm, tickets $36 reserved, $21 adult lawn, annual celebration of Independence Day returns this year w/ Conductor Peter Mansfield & Hartford Symphony Orchestra, also “Casey Up At Bat” w/ guest narrator, autographs by Danbury Westerners; July 12, Hall & Oates, 8 pm, tickets $41 & $56 reserved.

Merryall Center for the Arts, Chapel Hill Rd (off Merryall Rd), New Milford. Call 860-354-7264.

Performances 8:30 pm (unless noted), tickets $15, season tickets available: July 12, master guitarists Joel Brown & Edward Flower, post-performance reception.

Sherman Chamber Ensemble. Call 860-355-6155.

Ensemble regulars are Eliot Bailen, cello; Susan Rotholz, flute; Jill Levy, violin; & Sarah Adams, viola.

Fri performances @St Andrew’s Church, Main St, Kent; Sat performances @Lake Mauweehoo Clubhouse, Sherman, tickets $20 adults, $15 students & seniors ($10 lawn seats available for Sat performances, free lawn seating for age 12 & under), series tickets $45: July 11-12, guest pianist Todd Crow & clarinetist Jo-Ann Sternberg will join ensemble for season opening performance of Brahms’s Trio, Opus 114 & Olivier Messiaen’s Quartet for The End of Time.

Southbury Green, 775 Main St South, Southbury.

6th Annual Summer Concert Series, 6-8 pm at the gazebo, free, postponed if rain: July 10, The Cartells, 4-pc contemporary band; July 17, The Kenny Lee Band, 5 musicians perform variety of music.

St James Church Wednesday Carillon Concert Series, St James Episcopal Church, 25 West St, Danbury. Call 748-3561.

Concerts by guest performers on church’s Bulkley Carillon, seating on church lawn (bring blankets, low chairs), performances 12:30 pm rain or shine, picnics welcome: July 9, Gijsberk Kok (from Voorschoten, Weesp & Zoetermeer, The Netherlands).

Films______________

Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 778-2100.

July 4-10: Capturing The Friedmans (NR), daily 6:50 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri-Sun & Wed 1:30 & 4:15 pm; Spellbound (G), daily 7:25 pm, mat Fri-Sun & Wed 1:10 & 5:20 pm; Whale Rider (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri-Sun & Wed 1:40 & 4 pm; Winged Migration (G), daily 7:15 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri-Sun & Wed 3:15 pm.

Sunday Classic with Dr Lowry, 10:30 am, $10 incl film, pre-screening info & post-screening discussion:

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

July 5-13: Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers (PG-13), daily 7 pm, mat daily 1 pm.

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

Through July 15, Maritime Aquarium 15th Anniversary IMAX Film Fest, screenings 3:30 pm: July 4, Race the Wind (1991); July 5, Beavers (1992); July 6, To Fly (1993); July 7, Tropical Rainforest (1994); July 8, The Living Sea (1995); July 9, Whales (1996); July 10, Alaska: Spirit of the Wild (1997); July 11, Everest (1998); July 12, Mysteries of Egypt (1999); July 13, Amazon (2000); July 14, Journey into Amazing Caves (2001); July 15, Shackleton’s Antarctic Adventure (2002).

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-2282.

Hollister Film Series: Movies Through The Century – The 1950s,” free screenings, 1:30 & 7 pm, evening screenings followed by open discussion: July 8, A Streetcar Named Desire.

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

 “Photographers On Film” series, free screenings, 2 pm: July 5, Blow-Up (1966, NR); July 12, The Year of Living Dangerously (1982, PG).

For Kids & Families__

July 12: The Mighty Mysterious Megapuff by The Cosacomicakids, at The Performance Space, 55 West St, New Milford, performances 11:30 am & 2:30 pm, al tickets $6, “delightful & fantastic journey for all ages told w/ masks, puppets, music, song & more,” shows repeat July 19; 860-210-1444.

July 19: The Mighty Mysterious Megapuff by The Cosacomicakids, at The Performance Space, 55 West St, New Milford, performances 11:30 am & 2:30 pm, al tickets $6, “delightful & fantastic journey for all ages told w/ masks, puppets, music, song & more”; 860-210-1444.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Danbury Square, 15 Backus Ave, Danbury. Call 730-2733.

Free public programs: July 10, Beach Storytime, 11 am, join staff reader for books about sand & surf incl Todd Parr’s Otto Goes To The Beach; July 13, Miffy Visit, 3:30 pm, meet the white rabbit & hear readings of some of her stories; July 17, Lost and Found Storytime, 11 am, stories about finding things incl Barroux’s Where’s Mary’s Hat?

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel. Call 794-8756 x4.

July 12, Puppet Sale, 10 am-4 pm, as part of Friends of Library’s annual book sale CT puppetmaker Fred Reidy will have handmade puppets ranging from $5 for finger puppets & up.

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

Free programs (unless specified): July 9, PJ Story Time & Puppet Show, 6:30 pm, ages 3 & up invited to enjoy stories, songs & puppet show, arriving in pajamas encouraged; July 10, World Class Story Time: The Deserts, 11 am-noon (registration required, class size limited), guest readers Philomena Conti & Rabiya Ansari will offer stories focusing on habitats around the world; July 17, World Wise Story Time: Grasslands, 11 am-noon (registration required, class size limited), guest readers Philomena Conti & Rabiya Ansari will offer stories focusing on habitats around the world.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

Zoo adm is $7 adults, $5 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, programs included w/ adm: July 7-Aug 22, Animal Tales, Mon-Fri 2 pm, storytelling & live animal presentations for children.

Musicals at Richter Fairy Tale Theatre, at Wooster School, Ridgebury Rd, Danbury. Call 748-6873.

Off-site series by Musicals at Richter’s young actors’ ensemble, grounds open 10:30 (crafts offered), performances 11 am, all tickets $5, BYO blankets/seats: July 5, The Three Little Pigs & The Three Billy Goats Gruff; July 12, The Frog Princess; July 19, Selections from Aesop’s Fables; July 26, Pinocchio.

Quick Center for the Arts/Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Children’s Summer Theatre Workshop productions, 7:30, tickets $10 adults, $8 seniors & children ages 2-12, no children under 2 admitted (performance is by student actors, producers would like onstage actors to be able to concentrate without distractions): July 11, The Frog Princess; July 18, Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs.

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-2282.

Free programs: July 7, program w/ illustrator Michael Rothman, 2 pm; July 10, program w/ children’s author Laurie Krebs (The Beeman, We All Went On Safari).

Miscellaneous_______

Through July 5: Annual St Rose Parish Carnival, St Rose Church grounds, 46 Church Hill Road, Newtown, Tues-Thurs 6-10 pm, Fri-Sat 6-11 pm, games, rides, food, raffles, etc; 426-1014.

July 5-6: 12th Annual Washington Art Association Clothesline Art & Craft Sale, Washington Town Hall green, Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, 10 am-4 pm both days rain or shine, oils, acrylics, watercolors, sculpture, photos, collages, prints, plus unique jewelry, ceramics, art glass, toys, hats, clothing by regional artists & artisans; 860-868-2878.

July 6: Baseball Card & Sport Memorabilia Show, Stratford Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-3 pm, adm $3 adults, 99¢ ages 10 & under, special 1960 appearance by World Series championship pitcher Bob Friend, also sports cards & vintage cards, new sets, wax boxes, sports memorabilia, related collectibles; 203-364-1209.

July 6: Danbury Stamp & Coin Show, Holiday Inn, Rte 6/Newtown Rd, Danbury, 9:30 am-4 pm, buy, sell & trade stamps, coins, postcards & supplies; 792-4659.

July 7: BookTalk program, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free discussion of The Conquerors: Roosevelt, Truman and The Destruction of Hitler’s Germany, 1941-1945 will be moderated by former newspaper editor John Middleton; 264-1716, 262-6123.

July 9: Nutmeg Quilters Guild Inc meeting, Ridgefield Playhouse (old Ridgefield High School building), 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, doors open 6:30, meeting begins 7 pm, guest speaker is Susan Varanka, also raffle of quilt-related items, vendor area, member Show & Tell; 203-431-6072.

July 11-12: 13th Annual Appalachian Fair, Holy Trinity Church, Rte 37, Sherman Center, Fri 12-8 pm, Sat 10 am-2 pm, free adm, handmade crafts, woven baskets, rugs, wooden items, toys, quilted items, hand thrown pottery, etc direct from Appalachian region, all proceeds are returned to crafters; 860-210-0174.

July 12: 9th Annual Historic House & Garden Tour, Newtown & Sandy Hook, 11 am-5 pm, tickets $20, privately-owned homes and “secret gardens” will be open to ticket-holders for walking tours, maps provided, presented by Newtown Historical Society; 426-5937.

July 12: Annual Green Fair, on the green, Rte 47, Washington Green, 10 am-2 pm, free adm, silent auction, White Elephant Walkway, books, crafts, gift shop, plants, baked goods, BBQ pit & more, presented by First Congregational Church; 860-868-0569.

July 12: The River Ramble: Fun in the Sun on the Banks of the Five Mile River, Wilton, 11 am-3 pm (rain date July 13), pony rides, face painting, games & dunk tank, extensive silent auction, also live auction, refreshments (incl raw bar), live music, more, major fundraiser for Rowayton Civic Assn; 203-899-0448, 203-838-7887.

July 12-13: Summerfest Crafts Faire, Cannondale Field, Rte 7 at Cannon Rd, Wilton, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, rain or shine event will feature crafters from region, also face painting & visits w/ Gammie The Clown, presented by Artisans Alliance; 749-0863.

July 12-13: Danbury Railroad Station 100th Anniversary, Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, 10 am-6 pm both days, celebration of museum’s current home & its former use w/ family fun, rides on classic train, caboose, RDC & turntable, view engines, antique military vehicles & other exhibits, ice cream tasting, magic show, clowns, more; 778-8337.

July 12-13: 2nd Annual Parade of Ponds, Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, $20, self-guided weekend tour of water gardens in Fairfield, Litchfield, Westchester, Putnam & Duchess counties will also be benefit for Family & Children’s Aid, tour booklets & maps w/ paid adm or reservations; 790-6700.

July 12-13: Friends of Bethel Public Library Annual Book Sale, Bethel Municipal Center, 1 School St, Bethel, 10 am-4 pm both days (early buying Sat 8 am, $10), free adm, wide variety of subjects, also books on tape, music CDs, computer software, videos & more, proceeds benefit library’s expansion project, programming & acquisitions (also on Sat 10-4, Puppet Sale by Fred Reidy, handmade hand puppets from $5 for finger puppets & up); 794-8756.

July 13: DEE Coin & Collectibles Coin & Sportcard Show, Sheraton Hotel, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, 50+ tables manned by dealers from across Northeast; 746-7531.

July 13: Summer Psychic Fair, Radisson Hotel, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 11 am-6 pm, free adm, area psychics, clairvoyants, astrologers & gemstone readers, also vendors, energy balancer Jean Hacker, pet psychic Donna Velardi (bring photos, not animals); 792-2939.

July 13: “Daily Meditation: Coming Home to Kindness, Compassion and Tolerance” at Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by guest speaker Janaki Pierson (founder of yoga center) will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Active Singles. Call 860-489-9611 or visit www.ActiveSingles.org.

Summer Beach Parties, 9 am-6 pm incl breakfast & buffet lunch, dancing, volleyball, etc: July 13, Hawaiian Beach Party at Hop Brook Lake’s Meadows Shelton, Naugatuck, $35 (reservations requested ASAP), tropical dress encouraged.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave **temporarily at 137 Greenwood Ave (in building w/ Hauser Chocolate), Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Free public programs: July 8, Monthly Book Discussion group meeting, 7 pm, discussion of Hamilton’s Staircase of A Thousand Steps, all welcome.

Also: July 12, Puppet Sale, 10 am-4 pm (as part of book sale), handmade hand puppets by CT puppetmaker Fred Reidy, beautiful puppets ranging from $5 for finger puppets on up, partial proceeds to benefit library’s capital campaign.

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

Programs free unless noted: July 12, beginner’s computer class, 9 am-noon, basics class will focus on keyboards, shortcuts, key functions & mouse skills; July 14, Daytime Book Group meeting, 1 pm, discussion of Jill Kerr Conway’s Road From Coorain, newcomers welcome; July 15, Evening Book Group meeting, 7 pm, discussion of Dianne Mott Davidson’s Dying For Chocolate, newcomers welcome.

CityCenter Farmer’s Market, CityCenter Green, Patriot Dr & Ives St, Danbury. Call 792-1711.

Every Thurs through mid-Oct, 3-6:30 pm, sale of locally grown fruits, vegetables, flowers & baked goods, free parking in Patriot Garage w/ purchase.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Hours: 10 am-4 pm daily (April 1-Nov 26). Call 778-8337.

July 12-13, Danbury Railroad Station 100th Anniversary, 10 am-6 pm, celebration of museum’s current home & its former use w/ family fun, rides on classic train, caboose, RDC & turntable, view engines, antique military vehicles & other exhibits, ice cream tasting, magic show, clowns, more; 778-8337.

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 (separate door for thrift shop), shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing & sm home accessories, etc.

Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-2282.

Free programs: July 10, songwriter & lyricist Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Pippin, The Magic Show, etc) will discuss writing for musical theater, 7 pm.

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

Meetings 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: July 9, batik program by Phyllis Boger (board of directors meeting, 6:15).

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: July 23, critique session w/ Hank McLaughlin, attendees invited to bring up to 2 pcs of work, Mr McLaughlin will look at works one at a time & use his own drawings to illustrate his suggestions for improvement.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meetings, 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.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 270-6202 (Michael Seri), 748-2828 (BAJ).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: July 9, Cortney Davis, author collections The Body Flute & Details of Flesh; July 16, Jen Murphy.

Weston Young Women’s Club Farmer’s Market, Coley House, corner Rte 57 at High Acre Rd, Weston. Call 203-226-3966, 226-2877.

Through Oct 4, every Sat 8-11 am.

Theatre_____________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts (formerly Country Players of Broookfield), Brookfield Playhouse, Rte 25, Brookfield Center.

Broadway Through The Years: A Century of Song, July 4-26, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (July 13 only) 2 pm, tickets $15; July 17, special Thurs evening performance.

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

Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story, through Aug 10, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $34-$42, discounts for seniors (matinees only), group & rush discounts also available.

Goodspeed Opera House, Rte 82, East Haddam. Call 860-873-8668.

 Me and My Girl, through July 5, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, call for ticket prices.

Very Good Eddie, July 11-Oct 4, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, call for ticket prices.

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

SummerStage 2003: The Devil’s Music – The Life & Blues of Besie Smith, July 8-20 (previews July 8, opening night July 9), curtain Tues-Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $35-$45, group rates available, college student discounts; July 8, Pay What You Can performance.

Musicals At Richter, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury. Call 748-6873.

Cabaret Evenings: It’s A Musical World, July 14 (raindate July 15) & Aug 4 (raindate Aug 5), curtain 8:30 pm, tickets $8, revue celebrates travel & destinations in song & dance from Cape Cod to Copenhagen.

Mainstage performances: My Fair Lady, through July 5, curtain Fri-Sun 8:30 (grounds open 7:15), tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors, students & children.

Stamford TheatreWorks, 200 Strawberry Hill Ave (on Sacred Heart campus), Stamford. Call 203-359-4414.

Town Players of Newtown, Little Theatre, theatre is on Orchard Hill Rd (mailing address is PO Box 211), Newtown. Call 270-9144.

All’s Well That Ends Well, July 11-Aug 2, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (July 27 only) 2 pm, tickets $12 evenings, $10 mat.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown events 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, Arts Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color prints; please call for details concerning photo files to be emailed.