Art Shows ____________________________

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield; 203-775-4526.

Through Aug 14: “A Legacy of Fine Craft,” stories & works by 50+ accomplished teaching artists in craft mediums incl jewelry, ceramics, glass, wood, fiber & metal.

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

Through Aug 27: “Famous People With Ties To Brookfield,” celebration of nationally recognized individuals incl patriots, public servants, authors, playwrights, actors, artists, et al, who have gained prominence in their field of endeavor & have either lived in or had direct ties to Brookfield incl (but not limited to) Edna Ferber, John Adams, Teddy Roosevelt, Jimmy Stewart & Margaret Sullivan.

Darien Public Library 1441 Post Road, Darien; 203-655-1234

July 12 through August 23: “Soundscapes: Abstract Expressionist Paintings of Music by James P. Aldworth,” acrylic paintings on paper from the series of pieces painted to music.

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

Through July 26: “The Mystique of India and Turkey,” new works by the photographer Hank Meirowitz.

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 June 30: traditional functional baskets by basketmakers Bill & Sherry Gould and Jesse Larocque.

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

Through July 17: “2011 Member Show II,” works by KAA members.

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

Through July 17: new still life paintings by Russian-born Kirill Doron and sculpture from the studio of Joy Brown.

Auditions, Juried Events____________________

Sherman Players, The Sherman Playhouse, 5 Rte 39 (at intersection w/ Rte 37), Sherman.

July 11–12: Open auditions for J.B. Priestly’s An Inspector Calls, 7–9 pm, director Laura Gilbert has openings for 4 men (ages 20–-60) & 3 women (ages 20–55), readings from script, professional & amateur actors welcome, rehearsals to begin late July, production to run weekends Sept 9–Oct 1, contact Ms Gilbert at information@ShermanPlayhouse.org for audition appt time or info, or visit www.TheShermanPlayhouse.org.

Town Players, The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Road, Newtown; Auditions for Steve Martin’s Picasso at the Lapin Agile will be held at The Little Theatre on Sunday, July 10, and Monday, July 11; 7–9 pm. The production is under the direction of Daniel J. Mulvihill, Jr, of Bethel; All roles are available and both professionals and amateurs are welcome. No appointments necessary. Auditions will consist of readings from the script. Rehearsals begin in July with performances beginning September 9 and running through September 25 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. For a more comprehensive listing and description of characters, contact info@newtownplayers.org or 203-270-9144 with questions.

Concerts, Musical Events       ___________________

July 9: 37th annual Roxbury Pickin’ & Fiddlin’ Contest, Hurlbut Park, 18 Apple La, Roxbury, musician registration opens at 1:30, music to begin at 2, audience admission $10, free ages 10 & under, performances & competitions in categories incl old-time fiddle, old-time banjo, mandolin, trick & fancy fiddle, finger picking & flat picking guitar, bluegrass banjo & band playoff, refreshments available, bring seating, leave dogs home, rain date July 10 (noon start); 203-648-3504.

July 10: Brown Bird and The Crickstones, at McLaughlin Vineyard, 14 Alberts Hill Rd, Newtown; 1 to 4 pm; $15 advance, $18 at door; featuring Sandy Hook native MorganEve Swain; blend of European and American roots music; reserve tickets at mclaughlinvineyards.com; bring a picnic.

July 15: Silvermine Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rod, New Canaan, silvermineart.org; ETHEL contemporary string quartet; 8 pm; tickets $30 members, $40 nonmembers; 203-966-9700 ext 22 to purchase advance seats.

CHIRP (Concert Happenings In Ridgefield’s Parks) concerts, at Ballard Park, Main St (near Gilbert St), Ridgefield;

203-431-6501 (call if rainy/overcast).

Tues & Thurs evening concerts, 7 pm, free, bring seating, limited refreshments available: July 12, Crooked Still. July 14, Patti Rothberg Band.

Gate House Coffee House, Rte 172 (in front of training school), Southbury; 203-586-2144 (Southbury Training School Music Therapy Dept).

  Summer Concert Series, Tues 6:30 pm (under pavilion if rain), free adm, bring chairs or blankets for seating:

St James’s Episcopal Church, 25 West St, Danbury; 203-748-3561.

Wednesday Carillon Concert Series, 12:30 pm, free concerts, beverages available, BYO snack/lunch.

For Kids & Families _______________________

Fairy Tale Theater, at Wooster School, 9 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury; 203-748-MUSE (6873).

Outdoor children’s theater under Musicals at Richter productions, craft time 10:30 am, curtain 11 am, adm $5, bring chairs/blankets for seating: July 9, Hansel and Gretel.

 

Miscellaneous  __________________________

July 9: Ice Cream Heaven Grand Opening, 10 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook, 2–4 pm, formal opening of new ice cream store, also opportunity to meet former NY Jets running back Freeman McNeil.

July 9–13: 36th Annual Friends of Booth Library Book Sale, Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades La, Newtown, Sat 9 am–5 pm (adm $5 Saturday only, numbered adm tickets on sale 7 am), Sun 9 am–5 pm, Mon 9 am–7 pm (items half-price), Tues 9 am–7 pm ($5/bag), Wed 9 am–noon (remainders free), 120,000+ books, CDs, DVDs & LPs organized into 80+ categories, major fundraiser for town library; 203-426-4533.

July 11: “The Rule of Humanity,” Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25 at Rte 133), Brookfield Center, 7:30 pm, free lecture on the creation of The War Board; 203-740-8140.

July 16: Artifact Identification Day, The Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Road, Washington, 860-868-0518; 1 to 4 pm; Director of Research and Collections, Dr Lucianne Lavin assists identification of stone artifacts and American Indian cultural items. No appraisals. Limit 12 per person. Fee included in regular admission. IAIS members free.

Through July 29: SCAN Summer Art Show & Sale at Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose St, Newtown, Mon–Fri 8 am–4:30 pm (opening reception Sat, July 9, 2–4 pm), seasonal images in oils, watercolors, acrylics, mixed media, prints & graphics by members of The Society of Creative Arts of Newtown; 203-426-2226, 203-426-5283.

 

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

(FILM) July 8–14: Rango (PG-13), Fri-–Thurs 7 & 9:00 pm, mat Fri–Sun 1 & 4 pm, Mon–Thurs 1 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 July 20.

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

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.

Sandy Hook Organic Farmers’ Market, at Fairfield Hills campus, Primrose St, Newtown; 203-313-9908.

Weekly event runs Tuesdays, through mid Oct, 2–6 pm, featuring local food & craft vendors w/ fruits, vegetables, jams, baked goods, cut flowers, eggs & more.

Theater ______________________________

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

Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, through July 23, curtain Thurs–Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $15-$20.

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

Menopause the Musical, July 12–Aug 7, curtain Tues–Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sat–Sun 2 pm, tickets $49.50 (group discounts available).

Musicals At Richter, Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury; 203-748-6873.

Sweeney Todd, July 8–23, curtain Fri-Sun 8:30 pm (grounds open 7:15 for picnics), $18, $15 students & children.

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 39 (behind firehouse), Sherman; 860-354-3622.

The Supporting Cast, July 8–30, curtain Fri–Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (July 17 only) 2 pm, $20.

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

She Stoops To Conquer, July 8–24, curtain Fri–Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, $20, $10 ages 10 & under, Ruth Anne Baumgartner directing production of Oscar Goldsmith’s comedy.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items listed first, with additional events listed by their start time.

 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.