Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (through mid-Dec): 38th Season Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, 787 Main St South (Rte 6, near Rte 64), Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec 11): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1; 508-896-1975.

July 23: 45th Guilford Antiques Festival & Sale, Thomas Griswold House Museum, 171 Boston St, Guilford, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $5, 100 dealers; 203-795-6465, 203-458-2887.

July 31: Wicked Weekend Toy Show, CT Grand Hotel, 3500 Main St, Waterbury, 8 am-2 pm, adm $2 (free parking), also toy auction that evening (7 pm); 860-395-1886.

Aug 6: 32nd Annual Antiques Festival On The Green, Main St at Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 9 am-4 pm rain or shine (early buying 7 am, $15), nearby free parking & shuttle service available; 860-633-6890.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Barker Animation Art Gallery (at Barker Animation, Fine Art & Sculpture), 1188 Highland Ave, Cheshire. Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm. Call 800-995-2357.

Through Aug 1: “The Art of Dr Seuss: A Retrospective and National Touring Exhibition,” special CT premiere of traveling exhibition celebrating artist’s 100th birthday highlights works created between 1920s-1990s that chronicle Seuss’ little-known political cartoons ca WWII, rarely-seen advertising art, also colorful & complex paintings from The Secret Art of Dr Seuss; July 21, gallery talk by Kevin Friest, call for start time of evening program.

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs & Sun 1-4 pm, Fri-Sat 1-8 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

Through Aug 21: “The Art of George Corbellini: A One-Man Exhibit,” paintings in oils, pastels or acrylics by Mr Corbellini that are inspired by everyday things the artist sees incl people & nature.

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 12-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In first & second floor display cases — Through July 31: “Tools of The Trade,” collection arranged by Newtown Hist Society presented occupational tools & utensils used in non-occupational pursuits during 18th to early 20th Century, visitors encouraged to enter contest to name uses for 14 unidentified tools (contest closes & answers will be posted July 25).

Also on first floor, in separate location — Through July 31: “The Second CT Governor’s Horse Guard at 200 Years,” celebration of troop that remains one of oldest continuously serving cavalry units in country offers weapons, equipment & memorabilia accumulated by group headquartered in Newtown.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through July 28: abstract realist landscape paintings by Sandi Randall.

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

Through Aug 5: “Nature Constructed,” new sculpture & drawings by David Boyajian.

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

Through Aug 7: “Innovative Perspectives in Turning,” contemporary turned artworks by 23 noted American woodturners, w/ pcs ranging from traditional vessel forms to purely sculptural pcs.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through July 31: “Around The Corner,” urban landscapes by Constance LaPalombara & raku sculpture by Eva St John.

Fine Line Art Gallery, 586 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-266-0110.

Through July 31: watercolors by Carla Sternberg Koch.

Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-753-0381.

Through Sept 18: “Flood!” images, oral histories, original film footage & maps (& 28 diff banners extending outside museum, along town green), re-explore the immediate & long-term impacts of the Flood of 1955, which stuck Waterbury & neighboring towns along Naugatuck River on Aug 19, 1955; July 31, Naugatuck River Walk, 2 pm, free program led by Sandy Clark & Ann Simons (Naugatuck Historical Society) will offer stroll through Linden Park (in Naugatuck, call for directions if needed) to re-live memories of the flood, group will finish at The Old Corner Café for cool drink & more stories from store owner John Woermer (RSVP 203-753-0381 x10).

Miller Studio & Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Mon-Tues by chance or appt. Call 203-263-3939.

Through July 18: “Dog Day,” annual spring-summer fundraiser exhibition this year offers most recent paintings (landscapes & still lifes) by gallery artists Helene Brier, Joy Bristol, Ella Crampton-Knox, David Dunlop, Sue Falato, Robert Kozora, Katrina Schmidt-Rinke & Mary Whyte, percentage of proceeds from all art sales will be donated to Animals for Life.

*(new show) Through Aug 30: “Seeing Through: A Retrospective Exhibition,” celebration of works by Judith Hinton Andrew; July 30, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Sat 10 am-2 pm, Mon & Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through Aug 15: landscape oil paintings focusing on the islands & coastlines of Maine & Long Island by Frank Metz as artist celebrates 80th birthday & 60 yrs of painting.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery, 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Paintings by Rainie Crawford, Frank Federico, Leslie Lillien Levy, Dick McEvoy, Alain J. Picard & Peter Seltzer, sculpture by Sterett-Gittings Kelsey.

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.

Through July 30: “Night and Day,” juried exhibition w/ works by members of The Women’s Caucus for Art & other invited female artists incl paintings, photography, mixed media, sculpture & 1 lg installation.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through July 24: “July 2005,” paintings by Harold Reddicliffe, abstract paintings by Deborah Muirhead & sculpture by Damian Olsen.

White Silo Farm & Winery, 32 Rte 37 East, Sherman. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-355-0271.

Through July 31: pastel landscapes by Nancy White Cassidy, photographs by Russell DeGaeto, paintings by DeWolf Hotchkiss, collages by Plonia Nixon & ceramics by Marsha Taylor.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

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

Aug 19: Artist submissions due for “2005 Radius: Professional Practice Series for Artists,” series will offer selected artists one-on-one review of portfolio & original work w/ an Aldrich curator focusing on professional development, also group exhibition at Ridgefield Guild of Artists (Nov 5-Dec 3), & panel discussion w/ art professionals open to “Radius” entrants as well as general public on Nov 5, visit www.AldrichArt.org for full prospectus or call museum.

Kent Art Assn, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Call 860-927-3989.

July 22-23: Receiving for President’s Art Show & Sale, Fri 1-4 pm, Sat 10 am-1 pm, artists (members & non-members) invited to submit work in oils, watercolors, pastels, graphics & sculpture (no collage, no computer art) for poss inclusion in juried show, opening reception & awards ceremony will incl $2,200 in cash awards, Medal of Merit & Solo Show Award, details available at www.KentArt.org or at above phone #.

Nichols Arts and Crafts Festival, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1734 Huntington Turnpike/Rte 108, Trumbull. Call 203-378-1781.

Aug 13: Deadline for vendors seeking to participate in this year’s event, 12 x 12 spaces are $40 (50 spaces available), fair will be Sept 10 from 10 am-4 pm (set-up to begin at 8), vendors provide their own tables, call Alice Britton for full details, reservations.

Newtown Congregational Church Flea Market, at Reed Intermediate School, Trades Lane, Newtown. Call 426-4174.

Aug 20-21: Openings available for vendors, event will run 9 am-4 pm rain or shine, vendor set up will begin at 7 am, non-refundable tax-deductible space donation is $35/adv per day, $40/weekend of flea market (cash only), for 10 x 20-ft space, contact Barbara Fields for reservations or addt’l info.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

July 30: Ballroom Dance & Performance, Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight (free dance lesson 8 pm), adm $15, singles & couples available, performance at 9:30 by international ballroom stars Francesco Flumiani & Roberto Sun, comp snacks, reservations suggested; 203-374-7308.

July 30: “Summer Festival Chorus Concert: Summer Romance,” Fairfield University’s Quick Center, North Benson Rd, Fairfield, 7:30 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & children, performance by auditioned group directed by Dr Carole Ann Maxwell will incl music by John Lennon, Daniel Pinkham’s Wedding Cantata, Brahms’ O Schone Nacht, works of Bernstein, Sondheim & medley of Webber works from Phantom of the Opera, special guest musicals Joe Utterback & accompanist Beth Palmer; 203-254-4010.

Aug 5-7: 10th Anniversary Litchfield Jazz Festival, Goshen Fairgrounds, Rte 63, Goshen, tickets $35-$350, performances Fri evening, Sat starting at noon, Sun also starting at noon, visit www.LitchfieldJazzFest.com for full details; 860-567-4162.

Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 426-5847.

19th Annual Summer Sounds Concert Series, 7 pm, free, bring chairs/blankets: July 27, The Housatonic Jazz Band, ragtime to jazz favorites.

Ballard Park, Main St/Rte 35 at Gilbert St, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-2760.

CHIRP (Concert Happenings In Ridgefield’s Parks) series, 7-9 pm, free, picnics welcome (rain location East Ridge Middle School): July 26, Eliza Gilkyson.

Booth Library Concert Series, at The Pleasance, 1 Main St at Sugar Street (Rte 302), Newtown. Call 426-4533.

Summer Concert Series, free, 7 pm, concerts move to library’s meeting room if rain (25 Main St): Aug 5, The Bearcats (at Dickinson Park, Elm Dr), traditional & New Orleans style jazz.

CityCenter Danbury Summertime Festival, CityCenter Bandshell at CityCenter Green, Ives St at Patriot Dr, Danbury. Call 792-1711.

Free concerts, Thurs 6:30 pm (Family Nights): July 28, Triple E’s Animal Party, “a musical link to ecology for children” (NY Times); Aug 4, Jazz For Juniors, young musicians offer eclectic repertoire of jazz, bluegrass, country & modern music, also medley of TV show tunes.

Free concerts, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm: July 22, Louis Landon’s Tribute to Frank Sinatra; July 23, The Glamour Girls, popular dance hits from 60s-80s w/ show highlighted by costume changes & eye-catching choreography; July 29, Dr Ya Ya’s Gumbo Party, “some of the best Louisiana style musical cookin’ north of Lake Ponchatrain”; July 30, The Frank Bleuel Orchestra, southern CT’s finest Big Band specializing in the music of Dorsey, Goodman, Shaw, Basie, et al, featuring the song styling of Gail Clear; Aug 5, Golden Angels Jazz Band, Dixieland style music, also standard swing, jazz-blue faves & finger-snappin’ ragtime.

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

ZooGrass Concert Series, 2 pm, incl w/ zoo adm ($8 adults, $6 seniors & ages 3-11, free ages 2 & under & zoo members): Aug 7, Too Blue, “high-octane bluegrass,” swing & originals by Joan Harrison on lead vocals & banjo, Betsy Rome on guitar & vocals, Michael Sassano on mandolin & vocals, & Jack Murphy on bass & vocals.

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

Summer Concert Series, Tues 6:30 pm (under pavilion if rain), free adm: July 26, Julee Glaub & Claudine Langille, traditional Irish & Appalachian songs & tunes; Aug 2, Stacy Phillips & Paul Howard, Americana – spectrum of music celebrates the cultural salad of the country.

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

4th Annual Summer Concerts in The Courtyard series, 7 pm, seating & refreshments provided: Aug 2, Music From The Heart featuring Ethel Kaufman & band.

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

Summer Concert Series, shows 7:30 unless noted, all shows rain or shine, children’s lawn tickets $12 (ages 2 & under free/lawn), all tickets $3 higher day of show: July 22, Michael McDonald, 7:30 pm, tickets $25-$75; July 30, The Wildflower Festival feat Judy Collins & Joan Osborne, 7 pm, tickets $20-$55.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Hours: daily 11 am-5 pm. Call 426-1533.

Sunday Music Series, 1-4 pm, $15: July 24, bluegrass music.

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

Performances 8 pm (unless noted), tickets $15, season tickets available: July 23, Hank Milligan, solo performance of classical piano will be followed by parlor presentation of card magic – all by Mr Milligan.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: July 24, Blues Traveler, tickets $50 & $55; Aug 9, Jefferson Starship/Jefferson Airplane, tickets $60 & $70.

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

Guest performers for free weekly open-air concerts, 12:30 pm, BYO lunch & seating: July 27, Gerald Martindale (Metropolitan United Church, Toronto); Aug 3, Charles Semowich (Albany City Carillon, Albany, N.Y.), composer & performer will offer premier of new work written specifically for Danbury Carillon series.

Films _________________

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

July 22-28: The Beat That My Heart Skipped (NR, French w/ subtitles), daily 6:45 & 9:05 pm, mat Fri 4:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:10 pm; Cinderella Man (PG-13), daily 9:25 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 2:35 pm; Heights (R), daily 7:35 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 12:40 pm; Mad Hot Ballroom (PG), mat daily 5:20 pm; March of The Penguins (G), daily 7:30 & 9:15 pm, mat daily 5:45 pm, also Fri 4pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:30, 2:15 & 4 pm; Me & You & Everyone We Know (R), daily 7:10 & 9:35 pm, mat daily 5:10 pm, also Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 3:15 pm.

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

July 22-28: The Adventures of Shark Boy & Lava Girl in 3-D (PG), daily 7 pm, mat Fri-Mon 1 pm, Tues-Wed 1:30; Fever Pitch (PG-13), daily 9 pm, mat Sat-Sun 4 pm, Thurs 1 pm.

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

Spotlight on Michael Caine Series, free screenings, 2 pm: Aug 6, The Ipcress File (PG).

For Kids & Families _________

July 30: Shakespeare Ventures “Informance,” PepsiCo Theatre at Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield, programs at 10 & 11:30 am, free program will have participants of SV Summer Acting Workshop share their discoveries & perform favorite exercises, stage combat sequences & selected scenes that have aided their development as actors during study of Hamlet (full performances scheduled at separate times, call for details); 203-254-4000 x3406.

Aug 6: Family Art Adventures, Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 12-5 pm, free, families invited to enjoy drop-in activities during first Sat of each month, explore galleries through docent-led tours & then visit Education Center for hands-on activities based on topics, methods & materials addressed in current exhibitions; 203-438-4519.

Aug 6-7: Strawberry Shortcake at Quassy Amusement Park, Rte 64, Middlebury, parking $5/car (no adm for park itself), costumed character will appear at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 each afternoon as part of park’s “Ready To Read This Summer” program; 203-758-2913.

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

July 30, teens book discussion, 11:30 am, pizza lunch & discussion of Harry Potter & The Half-Blood Prince.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: July 26, “We Dig Reading & Science: Walter Heinz, The Fossil Hunter,” 4 pm, ages 5-10 invited to special science & reading program about fossils, seating for 75 available first-come, first-serve; July 27, Nutmeg Book Discussion, 4 pm, readers entering grades 4-6 in the fall invited for discussion of Kate Klise’s Trial by Journal; July 27, PJ Story Time, 6:30 pm, ages 3-7 invited to evening program of stories, songs & puppet shows, no registration needed, PJs & blankets encouraged; Aug 3, PJ Story Time, 6:30 pm, ages 3-7 invited to evening program of stories, songs & puppet shows, no registration needed, PJs & blankets encouraged.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: July 27, Let’s Talk About: YA Book Discussion, 1 pm, at Reed Intermediate School, one-hour discussion for readers entering grades 5 & up in the fall will concern Nancy Farmer’s The House of The Scorpion; Aug 1, Make Your Own Comic Book, 1-3 pm, free workshop w/ Vince Giarrano will help participants take their ideas & put them into original comic book incl artwork, story lines & lettering, limited to 15 participants (ages 10 & up); Aug 2, “Archaeologists: Detectives of The Past,” begins 1 pm, free program for readers entering grades 5-9 & their parents, join Town Historian Dan Cruson for slide presentation & hands-on exploration of tools & artifacts from archaeology dig, then travel as group to Putnam Park for a tour of a live dig site.

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

Programs incl w/ zoo adm ($8 adults, $6 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, group rates available): July 31, Big Truck Day, 12-3 pm, local companies will display trucks incl excavator, articulated loader, backhoe, dump truck, cement truck, ditch witch, Bobcat & amphibious vehicle, also fire truck from a local fire dept.

Animal Tales, through Aug 26, Mon-Fri 2-2:45, stories & live animal presentations for children, included w/ zoo adm.

Musicals at Richter Fairy Tale Theatre, at Wooster School, 91 Miry Brook 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 23, Hansel and Gretel; July 30, Beauty and The Beast.

New Haven Colony Historical Society, 114 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 12-5 pm (museum library open Wed-Fri 10-5 only). Call 203-562-4183.

Through Jan 14: “The Faithful Friend: New Haveners & Their Pets, 1880-1920,” New Haven family photos from 40-year period, also paintings, engravings, literary works, needlework & 3-D objects explore cultural changes during 19th C that led to the new definition of the American family, one that began to incl domestic pets; July 27, Kids’ Korner: Craft Activities, 10:30 am; Aug 3, Kids’ Korner: Pet Stories, 10:30 am.

Quick Center for the Arts/Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

Missoula Children’s Theatre Summer Workshop performances (student performers working w/ acclaimed nat’l program), curtain 7:30 unless noted, tickets $10 adults, $8 children (group discounts available): July 22, Robin Hood; Aug 5, Sleeping Beauty (diff cast than July 15 show).

Miscellaneous ___________

July 23: Bunnell High School Marching Band & Guard Flea Market, at Deluca Field, 550 Main St, Stratford, 9 am-3 pm (rain date July 24), fundraiser for high school group; 203-767-9459, 203-375-2126.

July 23-24: The Homesteads at Newtown Summer Craft Festival, at The Homesteads, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, free adm, rain or shine event will offer fine area crafters set up outdoors at senior rental community; 261-2414.

July 24: Second Company Governor’s Horse Guard Annual Show, 2GHG Headquarters, 4 Wildlife Drive (FFH campus, near Reed Intermediate School), Newtown, begins 8 am, adm $5 donation, 2 rings of competition w/ 87 classes to be presented, also precision demos by mini horses, refreshments, vendors, etc, fundraiser for one of oldest horse cavalry units in the country; 426-9046 (horse guard), 203-650-3148 (show secretary Naomi Gauruder).

July 24: “A House Tour & Garden Reception at The Dana-Holcombe House,” 29 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1-4 pm, tickets $30, public invited to visit brand-new bed and breakfast, rain date July 31, all proceeds to benefit Newtown Scholarship Association; 426-2500.

July 24: Yoga Family Day, Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 3-4:30 pm, $20/family, all ages invited to visit for fun-filled & uplifting event to incl chanting & dancing w/ instruments, yoga postures, samples of guided relaxation & meditation, age-appropriate conversations about yoga, meditation & breath; 203-263-2254.

July 24: “Awakening: Abandoning Consensus Trance for The Truth,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by yoga center co-founder & executive director Janaki Pierson will concern ways anyone can live happy peaceful life in the world outside their internally created realm, group meditation & tea reception to follow; 203-263-2254.

July 26: Lunch & Knishes: “When the World Was Young,” Walzer Family Jewish Communities of Western CT, 444 Main St North, Southbury, lunch at noon, program at 1 pm, adm $5.50 (RSVP by July 22), fresh-prepared lunch by Chef Nancy Stokes, then performance by vocalist Ercole Gaudioso & pianist Jeanne Hinkson of favorites of 1940s-50s; 267-3177 x105.

July 30: “Historical Dance and Music in Newtown,” C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, free program by Patricia Campbell & The Reel Thing will offer dance & music selections of New England from early 18th through early 19th centuries, follows opening reception for “Passport to Newtown’s Past” (see separate listing under Arts); 426-4533.

July 30-31: Open Turret Days at Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, adm $4 adults, $2 seniors, children ages 6-18 & active military personnel, public invited to climb into museum’s collection of history vehicles, rubber-soled shoes mandatory for going into vehicles (cancelled if rain), museum & its exhibits will also be open; 790-9277.

July 31: Beatrix Farrand Garden Open, Promisek at Three Rivers Farm, 694 Skyline Rd, Bridgewater, 10 am-4 pm, suggested donation $5, public invited to visit privately-owned historic garden created by Ms Farrand, a founding member of American Society of Landscape Architects, will be open to public last Sun of each month until Sept; 860-354-1788.

July 31: “Meditating Mothers: Family Life & Spiritual Practices,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free discussion led by Barbara Baron & Jeanne Dziewulski will concern challenges & rewards, & offer practical tips, of combining family & spiritual practices, group meditation & tea reception follows; 203-263-2254.

Aug 3: “Summer Nights Lecture Series: Native American Storytelling,” Western CT State Univ Warner Hall, Fifth Ave at Osborne St (off White St), Danbury, free lecture will be preceded at 6 w/ live music, then lecture at 7 pm by Beverly Dumonski (from Institute for American Indian Studies, Washington CT) will concern gender-based storytelling & the creation of oral histories, Q&A session will follow; 837-8486.

Flanders Nature Center/Van Vleck Farmhouse, Flanders & Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-3711.

Misc programs: June 23, “Bee My Honey: a lecture & demo,” 12-2 pm, $8, presentation by master beekeeper Mark Moorman (from Sprain Brook Apiary, Woodbury) will incl active & empty beehives, also bee bonnets donned for those who wish to experience process ot gathering honey combs, finding queen bee within boxes & turning centrifuge that separates honey from cones.

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

“Native American Lifeways,” weekends through Labor Day (Sat-Sun 12-4 pm), Native American will be resident in IAIS’s replicated village each weekend, demonstrating Native lifeways & answering questions.

Kismet, programs at Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 748-3125.

Dinner programs 4th Sat/month, potluck dinners, RSVP requested: July 23, Kismet Dinner & Discussion Group, at Fairfield County Ag Center, 67-69 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 7 pm, $15 (registration required), bring favorite dish to share w/ others interested in dinner engagement to meet new friends & share thoughts & perspectives on metaphysical wellness & self-discovery.

Newtown Singles, meetings at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 261-4210.

Monthly “Meet & Mingle” events, 7-9 pm: next meeting Aug 5.

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.

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

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: July 27, “The History & Basics of Printmaking,” special program by Woodstock, N.Y.-based printmakers Karen Whitman & Richard Pantell.

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.

Tarrywile Park, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury. Call 744-3130.

Guided hikes, free, cancelled if heavy rain, wear rugged, sturdy shoes, bring water & light snack, pre-registration requested: July 16, guided hike, begins 8:15 am; July 24, guided hike, begins 8:15 am; July 31, guided hike, begins 8:15 am.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury, 9:30 pm, first act, featured act & headliners as follows, tickets $15 unless noted: July 23, headliner Dave Reilly, opening set Joey Father, Guido Carpelli; July 30, co-headliners Vanessa Hollingshead & Paul Bond, opening set by Johnny Lampert.

Wednesday Night Poetry, 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 27, Thaddeus Rutkowski (host, Alice-Anne Harwood); Aug 3, It’s All About You Open Mic Night, open mic, no featured poet, poets can read 1 poem per round (host, Mark Mcguire-Schwartz).

Theatre ______________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Brookfield Playhouse, Rte 25, Brookfield Center. Call 775-0023.

Beyond Therapy, through July 23, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, call for ticket details.

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

As You Like It, July 22-Aug 7, curtain Thurs-Sun 8 pm (gates open at 6 for picnics, intern pre-show begins at 7), 6th annual series of free performances by Bridgeport Free Shakespeare.

Fairfield University, PepsiCo Theatre, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4000 x3406.

Macbeth, July 28-Aug 13, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $20 adults, $15 students & seniors; summer production by Shakespeare Venture, professional company based on Fairfield Univ campus.

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

The Boy Friend, through Sept 24, 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, tickets $25-$60; July 28, Backstage at Goodspeed, call for details.

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

Phantom, through July 23, curtain Fri-Sat 8:30 pm (grounds open at 7:15 for picnics), tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors, $12 students & children, group rates & adv chair rental available.

The Sound of Music, July 28-Aug 13, curtain Fri-Sat 8:30 pm (grounds open at 7:15 for picnics), tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors, $12 students & children, group rates & adv chair rental available; (Thurs) July 28, preview performance, 8:30 pm, $10.

Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sandpit Rd, Danbury. Call 512-0529.

Once On This Island, Aug 5-14, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 students, meal packages also available (Fri dinner at 6, Sun lunch at noon, at Caravela Restaurant, meal-theater tickets $30 adults, $25 students & reservations required).

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

Company, through July 23, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $22 adults, $18 seniors & students.

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

Footloose, through Aug 13, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $18 adults, $16 seniors.

TheatreWorks New Milford, 5 Brookside Ave, New Milford. Call 860-350-6863.

Nine, the Musical, through Aug 13, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Aug 1&8 only) 2 pm, tickets $25; (Thurs) July 21, Pay What You Want performance, 8 pm, name your ticket price.

Town Players of Newtown, at The Little Theater, theater is on Orchard Hill Rd (mailing address is PO Box 211), Newtown. Call 270-9144.

A Perfect Ganesh, through July 23, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15 evenings, $12 matinee; NOTE: mature themes & some adult language, so not recommended for children.

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

Dear Brutus, through July 24, curtain Fri-Sat 8:30 pm (first Sat 8 pm, no afternoon show), mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $30-$65, discounts available for students & educators.

The Member of The Wedding, July 28-Aug 14, curtain Fri-Sat 8:30 pm (first Sat 8 pm, no afternoon show), Sun (first weekend only) 7:30 pm, Tues-Thurs 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 3 pm & Wed 2 pm, tickets $30-$65, discounts available for students & educators.

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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, 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, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.