Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (weekly to Oct 26): Bethlehem Flea Market, Bethlehem Fairgrounds, 384 Main St North/Rte 61, 6 am-1 pm, free adm & parking, 200 spaces will offer antiques & collectibles, plants & flowers, organic foods & farmer’s market, artisans & crafters, food, machinery & equipment & much more; 860-618-2940.

Sundays (through Dec): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $2, free ages 12 & under, leave pets home, vendors offer antiques, collectibles & misc, refreshments available; 508-896-1975.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

The Barn Gallery, 82 Route 37 (Creative Corners), New Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat. Call 746-4502.

Through Sept 28: “Connemara, Images of Western Ireland,” fine art photography by William S. McCannIII, who has been photographing nature & landscapes for three-plus decades.

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

Through Sept 28: “AKA – Object and Image,” works by the core members of AKA:92 – New York City-based group w/ Susan Kasson Sloan, Marjorie Simon, Biba Schutz and Ginny Whitney – & invited guests photographers & image makers, each of whom is connected in some way with at least one of the core members of AKA:92 –  Ron Boszko, Dan Estabrook, Sara Friedlander, Ralph Gabriner, Alison Howard-Levy, Irmari Nacht, Boo Poulin, Biba Schutz, Marjorie L. Simon, Susan Kasson Sloan and Ginny Whitney.

Featured Artist of the Month, special presentations in BCC Gift Shop:

Garden of Ideas Gallery, 647 North Salem Rd, Ridgefield. Hours: Sat-Sun 10 am-4 pm. Call 203-431-9914.

*(new show) Sept 6-28: “Small Things,” first gallery show of whimsical works by Sherri Doolittle Mulligan, who usually does marketing & promotion/graphic designs for major clients.

Highstead Arboretum, 127 Lonetown Rd, Redding. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-4 pm by appt only. Call 203-938-8809.

*(new show) Sept 6-Oct 31: “Amphibians of the Eastern United States,” over 30 original works by members of Greater New York Guild of Natural Science Illustrators; Sept 6, opening reception, 1-5 pm, also information presentation (2 pm) by exhibiting artists sharing inspirations & motivations associated with their works, also short walk (3:15) led by naturalists Peter & Elayne Leighton on Highstead’s trails, looking for local amphibians.

Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Thurs-Sun 12-4 pm. Call 860-927-3989.

Through Sept 28: “Elected Artists Show,” featuring 100+ paintings & sculpture by KAA members who have achieved Elected Artists status by participating in sev juried shows & meeting other criteria, incl many prize-winning artists from CT & surrounding states, also special selection of works by Ruth Newquist, NWS, who was Best of Show winner during KAA 2007 President’s Show.

Morrison Gallery, Kent Village Barns, 8 Old Barn Rd (near Rte 7 at Rte 341), Kent. Hours: Wed-Sat 10:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 860-927-4501.

Through Sept 23: approx 35 paintings by celebrated American artist Cleve Gray, many never before exhibited, incl selections from “Ceres” series (1960s-70s, following travels to Greece), “Hawaii” (early 1970s) & “Perne,” inspired by Yeats’s poem “Sailing to Byzantium”), also bronze sculpture & papier mache sculpture created during same eras.

Richter Association for the Arts, Richter House, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury. Hours: Sat-Sun 2-5 pm. Call 798-2245.

*(new show) Sept 27-Oct 5: 30th Annual Juried Art Show; Sept 27, opening reception 2-5 pm, awards at 3.

Sculpture Barn (née Boyajian’s Sculpture Barn), 3 Milltown Rd (at Rte 39), New Fair-field. Hours: Wed-Sun 10 am-6 pm. Winter hours: Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 746-6101.

*(new show) Sept 7-Oct 4: “Assemblage: Pieces of Her,” celebration of women artists & their unique perspectives, featuring sculpture & collages of local artists Erin Walrath, Eleanor White & Natasha Cohen; Sept 7, opening reception, 4-7 pm incl poetry performance by Natasha Shappert.

Seton Art Gallery, Dodd’s Hall, University of New Haven campus, 300 Boston Post Rd/Rte 1, West Haven. Hours: Tues-Thurs 1-5 pm, Fri 1-7 pm, Sat-Sun 12-3 pm. Call 203-481-4270.

*(new show) Through Sept 26: “Where Heaven Made Fun,” work by Nathan Lewis incl his epic painting “Till We Find the Blessed Isles Where Our Friends Are Dwelling” & installation in response to that painting that incorporates a 16-ft boat, collection speaks to role of the US in the Middle East, the manipulation of religion in war, changing cultural roles of African-Americans & Arbas, man’s relationship w/ nature & the human quest for transcendence.

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, Sherman. Hours: Tues-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-354-2455.

Through Sept 30: “A Sense of Peace,” oil paintings by self taught artist Barbara A. Comer, who has developed a painting style that reflects the harmony & peace of natural surroundings.

Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-966-9700.

*(new show) Sept 7-Oct 2: “Director’s Choice: Dialogue in Collage,” boxed assemblages by Arthur Burke, various media, painting, silverpoint & collage by Enid Munroe, and paintings, prints and collages by Nancy Nikkal; Sept 7, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

*(new show) Sept 7-Oct 2: “Adult Toys,” iconic wind power paddle sculptures, smaller indoor hand cracked works & other interactive sculptures by Drew Klotz; Sept 7, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

*(new show) Sept 7-Oct 2: “Connections,” works by archeological artists Lou Hicks & Juliet Holland; Sept 7, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

*(new show) Sept 7-Oct 2: “Hiding in Plain Site,” site-specific installation by June Ahrens incorporating materials that explore the cultural & political world around us incl wires covered in fabric, crushed cans, reflectors, safety pins & other items provided by friends & family; Sept 7, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Visual Impact Gallery, 4 Eagle Rd (within Commerce Park), Danbury. Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 am-5:30 pm, weekends by appt. Call 790-9650.

*(new show) Sept 6-Oct 31: original acrylic painting & limited edition archival prints by Robert Everding; Sept 6, opening reception, 4-7 pm.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

In The Project Room: *(new show) Sept 6-29: “Ground Control,” site-specific installation & digital prints by ALan Ruiz, a second year master’s degree candidate at Yale School of Art; Sept 6, opening reception, 6-8 pm.

WCSU Alumni Hall, 181 White St, Danbury. Call 837-8486.

Through Sept 9: “Inspired Images: WestConn Students Give Back Through Their Art,” works by WCSU students Adam Schwarz, who went to Ghana earlier this year, & Bryn Gillette, who went to Ghana, who hope to raise awareness & funds through exhibition & sales of their work to make a difference in the lives of orphans they encountered during their travels.

White Silo Farm & Winery, 32 Rte 37 East, Sherman. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 am-6 pm. Call 860-355-0271.

Through Sept 7: “Wine, Women and Art III,” newest works by Ann Kromer incl plein aire landscapes, Adele Moros incl paintings & multi-media works, Paula Renee incl tapestries, woven paintings & dimensional paper constructions & Judith Taylor incl ceramic creations that express movement.

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

*(new show) Sept 18-Jan 4: “Benjamin West and The Venetian Secret,” both versions of West’s “Cicero Discovering the Tomb of Archimedes,” along w/ recent technical analysis, copies of the fake manuscript regarding “long-forgotten recipes … of Venetian High Renaissance techniques of oil painting,” & other works on paper pertaining to the 1795.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through Sept 7: special presentation of van Gogh’s “Cypresses” & “The Starry Night: Visions of Saint-Rémy,” both on view for first time in New England, free but reservation tickets required (all adv tickets have been reserved; same day & standby tickets available at Info Desk).

Through Sept 7: “Everyday Monuments: The Photographs of Jerome Liebling,” 50=plus photos by the artist exploring themes incl social-documentary photos of people & places, poetic images of relicts & physical remnants of literary figures, also photos of mannequins & corpses.

Through Sept 7: “From Any Angle: Photographs from the Collection of Doris Bry,” celebration of the collection of 200+ photos by the artist incl examples of wide range of styles & photographic media.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, 182 Whisconier Road (Rte 25), Brookfield Center. Call 775-0023.

Sept 14-15: Auditions for Little Women the Musical (music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein, book by Allan Knee, based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel), Sun 7-9:30 pm open auditions, Mon 7-8 by appt only, callbacks will be Mon 8-9:30 pm, all roles open, director Alicia Dempster asks that all actors prepare 16 bars from Broadway musical showing your range, bring sheet music in your key, accompanist provided, production to run weekends Nov 7-22, call phone # above or send email to tbta@BrookfieldPlayhouse.org for inquiries.

Dance Etc, 117 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown. Call 426-8717.

Sept 13-14: Open auditions for 2nd annual production of Tis the Season Holiday Show, Sat 3 pm begins search for Frostys, reindeers, Santa babies, mini soldiers & penguins, all ages 3-8, Sun 2 pm begins auditions fro actors, vocal soloists, choir members, solo & group dancers ages 9-adult in ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical & hip hop, role details online at TisTheSeason.com, performances to be Dec 5-7 at New Milford. High School.

Newtown Congregational Church Fall Fair, 14 West St, Newtown. Call 426-3496.

Sept 20: Vendors invited to rent space for fall fair, running 9 am-3 pm, spaces $35 each, indoor event (A/C hall), vendors offering art, jewelry, photography, prints, gift items, etc invited to contact Linda Manganaro at above phone # for details.

Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, NSO office, One Park St, Norwalk 06851. Call 203-847-8844.

Sept 26: Application deadline for “Fiesta! The Prodigy Concert” search, student positions open for flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn & string instruments for Jan 2009 full concert w/ NSO, visit NorwalkSymphony.org or call NSO Exec Director Jane Shelly at phone # above for application & qualification details, students will need to submit audio or video tape w/ application & fee.

Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport. No phone calls.

Sept 6 & 8: Open call non-Equity auditions for The Rocky Horror Show, Sat 11 am-2 pm (sign-in starts 10:30, Mon 5:30-8:30 pm (sign in starts 5), Steven Smeltzer is director & choreographer, Tim Heavner is musical director, actors should prepare full song from this show or similar pop-rock-musical theater song in style of show that best shows voice, bring sheet music, accompanist provided, also prepare short comic monologue (otherwise sides from script available), bring photo & resume, rehearsals to be weeknights after 7 pm & weekends during day beginning Sept 20, performances will be Thurs-Sat eves, Oct 24-Nov 8 incl 3 midnight showings (incl Halloween), breakdown of roles online at PlayhouseOnTheGreen.org.

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

Sept 15-16: Auditions for traditional British panto performance of Puss in Boots, 7 pm children, 7:30 adults, director Paul Tocco & executive director Mary Poile remind actors that this will be panto, not pantomime, so there is music but show isn’t a musical, some singing, seeking people “not afraid to go over the top,” role available for most ages & backgrounds, visit Danbury.org/TownPlayers for full cast details, performances to be Nov 28-Dec 13 incl 2 mats, also seeking musicians, stage hands & tech crew.

Winter Wonderland of Gifts Crafts Fair, at Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 268-1342.

Nov 23: Crafters wanted for 5th annual fair, will run 10 am-3 pm, spaces $100, highly juried fair – no kits or imports, handmade items only, sponsored by Congregation Adath Israel (Newtown), contact Robin Magilnick at phone # above or WinterWonderland-CraftFair@yahoo.com for details.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Sept 5: “Food of Love & Vice Versa,” Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport, 8 pm, tickets $40, one-woman cabaret performance by Megan Owen, featuring songs about food, from opera & standards to Broadway & pop, will benefit CT Food Bank; 212-352-3101, 866-811-4111.

Sept 6: NUMC Coffee House, 7:45–10:30 pm, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Road, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see separate Misc listing), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-9998.

Sept 6: “Unplugged To Plugged: Tracy James, Lisa Furman, Hoe & Greasewheazer” at Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport, 8 pm, tickets $20, local musicians & bands will perform fundraiser for theater as its launches 2008-09 season (all proceeds going to theater); 866-811-4111 (charge tickets), 203-333-3666 (box office, open only 2 hours before show).

Sept 7: Jazz in the Garden with The Brubeck Brothers Quartet, Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton (note: all attendees will be directed to parking at Branchville Elementary School, 40 Florida Rd, off Rte 102; shuttles will run continuously 3-7 pm), tickets $15/adv Weir Farm members, $20/non-members, $5 ages 12 & under, $20/members at gate, $25/non-members at gate, 4-6 pm, annual outdoor jazz concert & fundraising event features performances by celebrated & popular Brubecks; 203-761-9945.

Sept 13: “An Enchanted Evening of music, dance, fashion & food,” New Milford, 6-8 pm, tickets $75, begin evening at Homeward Bound, 20 Bank St, w/ cocktails, hors d’oeuvres & fall fashion show, then walk to Fineline Theatre Arts, 66 Railroad St, for 7 pm performance by Elizabeth Parkinson & other dancers w/ live music by Sherman Chamber Ensemble & choreography by Cassandra Taylor of Momix; 860-350-0060.

Sept 14: John Flynn at Edmond Town Hall’s Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4:30 pm, tickets $17.50/adv, $20/door, solo performance by singer-songwriter who has performed alongside Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Arlo Guthrie, et al, will incl plenty of guitar & harmonica work, light refreshments available; 270-9818.

Films _________________

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

Tuesday Afternoon at the Movies, 1:30 pm, free: Sept 9, Then She Found Me (R).

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm & most Monday holidays (call ahead). Call 203-372-3521.

Planetarium shows: The Skies Tonight and Larry – Cat in Space, call for schedule.

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

Sept 5-7: Wall-E (G), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Fri 4:30 pm, Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm.

Sept 8-11: Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of The Crystal Skull (PG-13), daily 7 pm, mat Tues 1 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Sept 6-7: St Peter’s On The Green Annual Apple Festival, Monroe Green, Rte 111, Monroe, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, crafters from sev states w/ wares incl clothing, jewelry, home décor, gourmet food products, baseball cards, painted pottery & more, also Apple Central w/ caramel apples, fresh apples & cider, apple themed items, plant sale, art show, children’s games, refreshments; 268-4265.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Free programs unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable: Sept 7, In Search of Wild Things, 2 pm, families w/ young children encouraged to join education specialist Jim Drennan for family walk & exploration of the sanctuary’s “wild side” incl search for wildlife that makes its home in CT & discussion of what makes them so well adapted to live here, will teach very basic concepts about mammals, birds & insects, registration requested (264-5098 x306); Sept 13, live bird demo, 2-3:30 pm, $5 ($3 Audubon Center members), raptor rehabilitators from Sharon Audubon will show & discuss live birds that may incl eastern screech owl, red-tailed hawk, American kestrel, great horned owl, barred owl or others.

Free public programs:

Miscellaneous ___________

Fridays (1st & 3rd Fri/month until Oct 2): Black Rock Art Walks 2008, Fairfield Ave (between Brewster St & Gilman St), Bridgeport, 6-9 pm, free twice-monthly presentation by area artists & craftspeople along sidewalks of Fairfield Ave (at Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, if rain); 203-366-3667.

Sundays (through Oct 26): Sandy Hook Village Farmers Market, 3-5 Glen Road, Sandy Hook, 9 am-1 pm, flowers, fruits & vegetables from local farmers, baked goods, nutritional seminars, monthly family activities, runs weekly until Oct 26; 426-2427.

Tuesdays (through mid-Oct): Sandy Hook Organic Farmers’ Market, behind St John’s Episcopal Church, Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 2-6 pm, local veggies & fruit, fresh baked goods, jams & handcrafted items, weekly activities for kids, also lectures & cooking demos, continues weekly; 313-9908.

Sept 5: “Connecticut’s Role in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865,” The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport, 6 pm, color slide presentation by Robert L. Berthelson (photographer, historian & past president of South Central CT Civil War Round Table); 203-331-1104.

Sept 5: Ridgefield Theater Barn Gala Dinner & Theater Fundraiser, at the theater barn, 37 Halpin Le, Ridgefield, tickets $150 ($120 is tax-deductible), champagne cocktail hour, live music by Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra String Duo, full dinner, silent auction, performance of The House of Blue Leaves followed by meet & greet w/ cast, dessert & cordials reception; 203-431-9850.

Sept 5-7: 14th Annual Greater Danbury Irish Festival, Ives Concert Park, Western CT State Univ westside campus, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, Fri 5-10:30 pm, Sat 11 am-10:30 pm, Sun 11 am-7 pm, adm $12/day (3-day pass $20), free ages 12 & under, ongoing live music (visit DanburyIrishFestival.com for schedule), dancing performances & workshops, cultural displays, Irish name tags, wool spinning & crochet demos, vendor area w/ many imports, plenty of traditional Irish food & drink for purchase; 837-9227.

Sept 5-7: 84th annual Bethlehem Fair, Bethlehem Fairgrounds, Rte 61, Bethlehem, Fri 5-10 pm, Sat 8 am-9 pm, Sun 8 am-5:30 pm, adm $7 adults, $5 seniors (Sat & Sun), free ages 12 & under, amusement rides, Mother Goose Barnyard, youth & adult art shows, farm displays, antique tractors, midway, cattle, jr dairy, poultry, rabbits, sheep & swine, flowers, vegetables, needlework, etc contests, refreshments, ven-dors, live music, also Fri – Cruise Night (200+ cars), pony pull, Sat – jr dairy show, working oxen, antique tractor pull, lumberjack competi-tion, Sun – open horse show & gymkhana, antique tractor parade, hollerin’ contest, jr beef cattle show, horse pulling, pedal tractor pull (chil-dren’s event), lumberjack competition, agri-olympics; 203-266-5350.

Sept 6: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, adm $8 adults, $7 seniors, $3.50 children, full spaghetti dinner incl salad, desserts, and soft drinks/coffee raises funds each month for church, all welcome, coffee house/musical event follows (see separate Concerts listing); 426-9998.

Sept 6-7: St Peter’s On The Green Annual Apple Festival, Monroe Green, Rte 111, Monroe, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, crafters from sev states w/ wares incl clothing, jewelry, home décor, gourmet food products, baseball cards, painted pottery & more, also Apple Central w/ caramel apples, fresh apples & cider, apple themed items, plant sale, art show, children’s games, refreshments; 268-4265.

Sept 6-7: 22nd annual Taste of Danbury, CityCenter Green, Ives St at Patriot Dr, Danbury, Sat 12-10 pm, Sun 12-7 pm, food from many area restaurants, kids’ fun run (call for start time), info booths, live music & entertainment (incl Blue Oyster Cult, Sat 8 pm & Sun 2 pm), exhibition bike show (Sat only), classic car show (Sat only, 2-8 pm); 792-1711.

Sept 7: Annual Responsible Dog Ownership & Pet Adoption Day, Mt Pleasant Hospital for Animals, 119 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, meet representatives from Canine Advocates of Newtown, The Animal Center & Greyhound Rescue, also opportunity for Home Again Microchipping ($35), Pet Partner Therapy Volunteer Q&A, Canine Good Citizen tests (11-3 pm, $15 cash only), also meet author Bill Berloni (Broadway Tails: Heartfelt Stories of Rescued Dogs Who Became Showbiz Superstars, Q&A & book signing 1-3 pm, books $20 each), pets welcome; 426-8585.

Sept 7: 5th annual Classic & Antique Truck Fest, Quassy Amusement Park, Rte 64, Middlebury, 9 am-3 pm, $5/car parking fee, dozens of classic & antique trucks presented by The Golden Age of Trucking Museum, also refreshments, lectures, flea market, book signing & art exhib-its, shuttle bus will be running from park to museum for BBQ, live music, face painting, clown, balloon animals & permanent exhibit (separate charge for museum adm); 203-758-2913 (Quassy), 203-577-2181 (museum).

Sept 7: Heritage India Festival, Fairfield Town Green, 725 Old Post Rd, Fairfield, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, ethnic food, music & dance, entertainment, arts & crafts for all ages, vendors, info & demos on ancient Indian health practices incl yoga, Ayurveda & holistic massage, raffle & more; 261-1653.

Sept 7: 2nd annual Wheels & Wings Vintage Cars & Planes Festival, Candlelight Farms Airfield, 5 Green Pond Rd, New Fairfield, 10 am-4 pm (show cars asked to be on site by 9 am; rain date Sept 14), co-presented this year by Black Horse Garage & Housatonic Valley Region of American Antique Club of America/Housatonic Valley Region chapter; 203-330-9604.

Sept 7: 14th annual Borough Days Celebration, on the green, Rte 202, Litchfield, 12-5 pm rain or shine, free, glimpse into the past coordinated by Litchfield Historical Society will incl blacksmith, woodworking & Victorian clothing demos, roving musicians, cooking & relating war stories of Civil War era by members 2nd CT Heavy Artillery (also ongoing encampment), ongoing workshops & games of American cricket, horse-drawn stagecoach rides (fee) & more; 860-567-4501.

Sept 7: Southbury Ambulance Assn Open House, 68 Georges Hill Rd, Southbury, 1-4 pm, free, public invited to join first anniv for association at its new location w/ tours of the facility & ambulance, also fun activities for kids incl face paintings & moon bounce;  262-8082 x100.

Sept 7: “The Great Perfection… within you,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free presentation by author & speaker Tully Moss will cover what happens when identification shifts away from the ego back to the True Self, group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception to follow; 263-2254.

Sept 8: “A Look at the Life of Ben Franklin,” C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free program by Mike Asselta will open new season of monthly programs hosted by historical society, all welcome; 426-5937.

Sept 9: “Connecticut Town Meeting Records during the American Revolution: an annotated index,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, presentation by Jolene Mullen (member of CT Professional Genealogist Council, among others) will be hosted by Newtown Genealogy Club, all welcome (call 270-7887);

Sept 10: “What’s New for The Green Industry? Plant Science at UConn,” Fairfield County Agricultural Extension Center, 67 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 7 pm, free presentation by Dr Mary Musgrave (head of dept of plant science at UConn); 207-8440.

Sept 11: 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony, Western CT State Univ Quadrangle, White St/Rte 6 at Fifth Ave (behind Fairfield Hall, White Hall, Warner Hall, et al), noon, solemn ceremony will honor the victims of 9/11; 837-8696.

Sept 12-13: Monroe Historical Society Annual Textile Sale, Beardsley Homestead, 31 Great Ring Rd, Monroe, Fri 2-6 pm (early bird adm 1 pm, $10), Sat 8 am-4 pm, free adm, new & vintage fabrics, quilting fabrics, rug hooking & braiding wools, decorator fabrics, buttons, patterns, trims & notions, yarn, craft supplies & much more; 268-5511.

Sept 13: “Total Joint Replacement – Past, Present and Future,” Newtown Senior Center, 14 Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 9:30 am, free presentation by Dr Ron Tietjen (chief of orthopedic surgery at Danbury Hospital) and Dr Robert T. Deveney (co-director, The Total Joint Replacement at Danbury Hospital) will continue VNA’s series of programs during its 90th anniv, light refreshments; 426-1035.

Sept 13: Spay & Neuter Association of Newtown Tag Sale, 13 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, 10 am-2 pm (rain date Sept 27), gently used items, w/ all proceeds to benefit SNAN; 426-5730.

Sept 13: Family Pig Roast, Treadwell Park, Philo Curtiss Rd, Sandy Hook, 3-7 pm rain or shine,  donation $18 adults, $9 children, reservations suggested (limited number of tickets will be sold at gate), food prepared under direction of Chef Jay Gill, sponsored by Newtown Democratic Town Committee; 426-9624.

Sept 13: Chat & Scrap Scrapbooking Event, 312 Roosevelt Dr/Rte 34, Seymour, 9 am-5 pm, $45 (reservations by Sept 9), fundraiser to benefit CT Special Olympics will open w/ continental breakfast, experienced & beginner scrapbook enthusiasts welcome, reps from scrapbook suppliers will be on hand, lunch also provided; 203-380-9990 x604.

Sept 13: 3rd annual Brass City Brewfest, Library Park, Grand at Meadow St, Waterbury, 1-5 pm rain or shine, adm $30 adv, $35 day of, 250+ imported & domestic beers, also Belgian Tent (addt’l $10 fee), live music, door prizes, food, also classic car show (11 am-3 pm); 203-757-0701 x302.

Sept 14: Dessert Reception with Belle Simon, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 2 pm, free program by Mrs Simon will cover the history of, research done & patient care at Hadassah Hospital in Jerusalem, reception to follow, hosted by Greater Newtown chapter of Hadassah, reservations requested by Sept 8; 426-1505, 203-448-8616.

Sept 14: 34th Annual Cider & Donuts Arts and Crafts Fair, Huntington Green, Rte 108, Huntington, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, free adm, vendors from throughout New England will offer jewelry, oil paintings, florals, painted folk art, candles, soaps, American Indian crafts, clothing, holiday décor & much more; 203-922-1779.

Sept 14: 13th annual Colonial Fair, Glebe House Museum, Hollow Rd, Woodbury, 12-5 pm, adm $5 adults, free for children, ongoing demos of woodturning, blacksmithing, chair making, spinning, weaving & basket making, also cooking over hot coats, storyteller Joyce Marie Rayno, pony rides, craft vendors, children’s crafts incl candle making, quill writing & rope making, refreshments (for purchase), guided tours of Glebe House Museum & Hurd House Museum; 263-2855.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Programs free unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: Sept 10, Fall Flight Birding Walk, 11 am, $5 ($3 Audubon members; registration requested), join education specialist Jim Drennan to search for raptors & warblers heading south for winter, good opportunity for beginners to learn basics, birds that will probably be seen incl broad-wing hawks, cooper’s hawks, sharp-shinned hawks & osprey (also being offered Sept 17 & 24).

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

Sept 8, Daytime Book Group, 1 pm, discussion of The Shipping News by Annie Proulx, all welcome; Sept 9, Non-Fiction Book Group, 1 pm, discussion of Animal, Vegetable, Miracle: A Year in the Life of Food by Barbara Kingsolver, all welcome; Sept 9, “Connecticut Town Meeting Records during the American Revolution: an annotated index,” 7 pm, presentation by Jolene Mullen (member of CT Professional Genealogist Council, among others) will be hosted by Newtown Genealogy Club, all welcome (call 270-7887); Sept 11, “Long Term Care,” 7 pm, presenter Marcia Bernstein (licensed insurance producer w/ specialty in helping all ages understand options & strategies in planning for long term care) will discuss protecting assets while remaining Medicaid eligible.

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

Sept 14, “Flower Essences” workshop, 1-2:30 pm, $15 ($12 IAIS members) plus $3 materials fee, join herbalist & flower essence practitioner Lauren “Lupo” Connell to learn about flower essences & their uses, will incl time in museum’s Healing Plants Garden.

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

Weekly games, Sat 1-5 pm, drop-in chess open to all skill levels, sets & boards provided, hosted by US Chess Federation expert Glenn Budzinski.

Newtown Hikers. Call 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 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: Sept 6, White Memorial, Little Pond & Red trail, easy hike (leader Ildiko Gramling, 263-0086); Sept 13, two-part hike along Zoar Trail in Paugussett State Forest, Newtown, first part easy (leader Rita Qubick, 268-4119), second part strenuous (leader Molly Schleiss, 312-0770).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level), 45 Main Street, New-town. 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 or 798-0560.

Programs 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Sept 10, watercolor program by Laura Eden.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: Sept 6, hypnotist Dan LaRosa headlining, w/ special guest Bob DiBouno; Sept 13, Bob Gautreau headlining, w/ Tom Daddario & Sharon Simon opening.

Theatre ______________

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

She Loves You, through Sept 21, curtain Fri (Aug 15) 7:30 pm (opening night only), then Fri-Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, also Thurs (Aug 21 & 28 only) 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2:30 & 5:30 pm, tickets $35.

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

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, through Oct 5, curtain Tues-Thurs & Sun 7:30 pm, Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun & some Wed (call for schedule) 2 pm, tickets $23-$66 (limited $10 Ten Spot & half-price rush tickets available, group discounts also available); Sept 6, Pay What You Can performance, 2 pm; Sept 14, open captioned performances, 2 & 7:30 pm.

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

The House of Blue Leaves, Sept 5-27, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 14 & 21) 5 pm, tickets $22-$24; Sept 5, Theater Barn Gala Dinner & Theater Fundraiser, tickets $150 ($120 is tax-deductible), champagne cocktail hour, live music by Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra String Duo, full dinner, silent auction, performance of The House of Blue Leaves followed by meet & greet w/ cast, dessert & cordials reception.

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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, Associate Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 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.