Art Exhibits ____________________________

The Barn Gallery, 82 Rte 37, New Fairfield; 203-746-4502.

Through Oct 31: “Changing Seasons,” paintings on paper, wood & canvas and woven paintings (“a hybrid of painting & weaving”) by Paula Renee.

Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem; 203-266-7596.

The Behnke Doherty Gallery, 6 Green Hill, Washington Depot; 860-868-1655.

*(new show) Nov 5-Dec 19: “Light’s Subtle Touch: The Changing Seasons of the Litchfield Hills — Landscape Paintings by Tom Yost,” new paintings by Mr Yost, whose works has its deepest roots in Hudson River School, also wooden bowls of John Talbot, shorebird & duck decoys by Mark McNair; Nov 6, opening reception, 4-7 pm.

Blue Z Coffee House, 127 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-364-1003, 203-364-0631.

Through Oct 31: photographs by Michael Florio.

Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room): *(new show) Nov 7-30: “When Fall Comes to New England: A Short Lived Gift to Behold,” photos by former Newtown resident Tom Kretsch that celebrate the moods & feelings of autumn’s changing colors in New England, inspired by the music of singer-songwriter Cheryl Wheeler; Nov 7, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Danbury Museum & Historical Society, 43 Main St, Danbury; 743-5200.

Through Oct 31: “Our Vintage Wedding Gowns,” wedding gowns from museum’s collection offering a survey of fashion trends from Victorian era to late 20th Century.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton; 203-261-0134.

Through Nov 6: “Abstractions, the Search for Form,” paintings & constructions by Robert Brennan incl diverse examples of the artist’s exploration of abstraction.

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

*(new show) Through Nov 30: “RE-VISIONS,” collages by Irwin Berger that “are strikingly original & intricately balanced”; Oct 31, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Through Nov 30: “A Morning With Norman Rockwell,” black & white photos by Garry Burdick from a 1968 photo session with Rockwell at the artist’s Stockbridge studio.

Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington;

860-868-0518.

Through Oct 31: “The Artist’s Corner: Joseph Firecrow,” handcrafted flutes by Grammy Award nominee & Northern Cheyenne flutist.

Through Dec 31: “Navajo Sandpainting,” reproductions of sand paintings that had been created for a spiritual healing ceremony.

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

*(new show) Oct 30-Nov 30: “Barn Stories from Roxbury: The Exhibition,” paintings & photos of Roxbury barns by 9 area artists, coincides w/ publication of Roxbury Historic Commission’s Barn Stories from Roxbury, Connecticut: A Survey & Oral History; Oct 30, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Newtown Municipal Center, Fairfield Hills campus (off Wasserman Way),

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

Through Nov 12: “Newtown and Beyond,” more than 150 photos by members of Flagpole Photographers Camera Club featuring views of Newtown and members’ favorites.

Savage Studio, 93 Mill Plain Rd, Danbury; 203-743-3000.

*(new show) Nov 5-21: wood fired & glazed porcelain & stoneware flower vessels, platters, tea pots, bowls & cups by Phyllis Savage.

White Silo Farm & Winery, 32 Route 37 East Sherman; 860-355-0271.

Through Oct 31: “Glass Act VII,” jewelry, tableware, wall panels, accessories & objets d’art by CT artists Maryann Meken-Silvestri & Judy Mirrer.

Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Road, Wilton; 203-762-7257.

Through Oct 31: “Wilton’s Neighbor, Mark Twain,” extensive collections from The Mark Twain Library in Redding & The Mark Twain House & Museum in Hartford to provides a window into the life & writing of the famous author on the 100th anniversary of his death, incl selected volumes & writings from his works, photos, scrapbooks, architectural plans & reflections on his two Connecticut residences.

Concerts, Musical Events       ______________

Oct 30: Monthly ballroom dance, Holy Trinity Greek Church Community Center, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, begins 7 pm, $17, free dance lesson at 8, performance by professional ballroom stars Egor Abaschin & Katie Kanexskaya at 9:30, singles & couples welcome, refreshments; 203-374-7308 x47.

Oct 30: Violin recital by David Gale at Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, $10, works of Sarasate, Wieniawski & Tartini to be performed by Mr Gale, w/ accompaniment by Evan Solomon, proceeds to benefit music center’s programs; 203-748-1716.

Oct 29: Annual Oktoberfest Concert, WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, free (donations will benefit music dept), performances by Frankensax, WCSU Jazz Ensemble & WCSU Jazz Orchestra, costumes encouraged; 203-837-8350.

Nov 4: Jazz vocalist Richard “Cookie” Thomas at The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30-7:30 pm, $15 ($7 museum members), classic standards by musician inspired by Nat “King” Cole, Frank Sinatra, et al, part of Jazz First Thursday series; 203-753-0381 x10.

Nov 6: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:30 pm, adm $4 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see listing under Miscellaneous), $5 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, light refreshments; 203-426-9998.

Nov 7: Open Sing of Requiem, Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St, Newtown, 5 pm, free, singers of all ages & abilities invited to arrive before 5 to be gathered into vocal sections, nonsingers also welcome to listen as singers join Trinity’s vocal groups for performance to begin at 5:15 of Fauré’s best known large work; 203-426-9070 x11.

For Kids & Families _________

Through Oct 31: Danbury Railway Museum’s Pumpkin Patch, 120 White St, Danbury, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, $9 (free age 2 & under), ride 1920s passenger coach or restored 1953 Rail Diesel Car to pumpkin patch within railyard, free pumpkin for each child, museum also open (& incl in adm); 203-778-8337.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533 (children’s dept 203-426-3851).

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Nov 4, Science Fun with Bonnie Shugrue: Food Science, 4:15 ($3 due day of program; online registration required), ages 7-10 invitem to learn scientific principles behind some of the food they eat; Nov 6, Author Visit: Bruce Degen, 2 pm, author-illustrator will talk about his new book & the re-search that went into The Magic School Bus and The Climate Challenge.

Miscellaneous ___________________________

Oct 29: The Watchman Project Art Show & Sale, Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd, Bethel, 7-10 pm, $15, $25/couple, 100+ works of art (oil & pastel paintings, photos & prints) by regional artists, also live music, live art demos, live & silent auctions, hors d’oeuvres, proceeds to benefit The Watchman Project; 203-796-7373.

Oct 30: Newtown Lions Club Great Pumpkin Race, Edmond Town Hall rear parking lot, 45 Main St, Newtown, 1-4 pm (rain date Oct 31), pumpkin racing, pumpkin decorating contest, pumpkin pie baking contest & parade of costumes.

Oct 30: Howl-O-Ween Party, Fairfield Hills campus, use Keating Farms Rd entrance, Newtown, 3-5 pm, $10 donation per dog, relay race, treasure hunt & bobbing for hot dogs, canine costume contests, refreshments for dogs & humans, fundraiser for Newtown Park & Bark; 203-270-4340.

Oct 30: Seymour Public Library Monthly Book Sale, 46 Church St, Seymour, 10 am-noon; 203-888-3903.

Oct 30: Halloween Spooktacular: A Benefit for Healing the Children Northeast, at North Country Inn & Restaurant, 329 Kent Rd, New Milford, 7 pm-midnight, $30/person, $50/couples (incl food & 1 adult beverage; cash bar available), silent auction, raffle, music, costume contest, proceeds to benefit HCN; 860-355-1828.

Oct 30: Halloween Dinner Dance, Odd Fellows Hall, 25 Danbury Rd, New Milford, 8 pm-midnight (roast beef dinner at 7, $15), $10 (for dance & refreshments only after 8), costumes welcome, music by DJ, BYOB;

860-354-7966.

Nov 3: Newtown Toastmasters meeting, Town Hall South (Parks & Rec conference room), 3 Main St, Newtown, 7 pm, guests/newcomers always welcome; 203-313-5507.

Nov 4: Harvest Celebration: New Morning’s 8th Annual Wine & Cheese Event, Old Woodbury Town Hall, Main Street So at Mountain Rd, Woodbury, 6-9 pm, adm is by donation (all proceeds to benefit Woodbury Food Bank), wines from 3 local vineyards, hors d’oeuvres from The Provender, artisan cheese samples & more, also cheese making demo; 203-263-4868.

Nov 6: “Fostering Young Forests and  Wildlife,” Newtown Municipal Center Council Chambers, 3 Primrose St, Newtown, 2 pm, free workshop presented by Newtown Conservation Commission & Inland Wetlands Commission will cover ID & management of young forests, wildlife, & efforts of commissions to encourage owl habitat, Q&A to follow; 203-270-4352.

Nov 6: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 5-7:30 pm, $9 adults, $8 seniors, $3.50 children, optional coffee house w/ live music follows (see listing under Concerts); 203-426-9998.

Nov 6: 2nd Annual Holiday Wine Tasting, St Rose Gathering Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 6:30 pm, $25, selection of wines from around the world, coupled with hors d’oeuvres from local restaurants, baked goods, live jazz, presented by St Rose Knights of Columbus; 203-270-9112,

203-270-1927.

Nov 6: Brookfield Historical Society’s 19th Annual Festival of Crafts, at Whisconier Middle School, 17 West Whisconier Rd, Brookfield, 9 am-4 pm, $5 ($4 coupon at BrookfieldCTHistory.org), free ages 12 & under, 50+ juried vendors from across the region w/ jewelry, decorative pcs, folk art, personal grooming articles, soaps, clothing, holiday treasures & much more, food court, also appearances by children’s book authors Doreen Tango Hampton (I Like Gum) & Dawn Aldrich (Auntie’s House); 203-740-8140.

Nov 6: Annual Turkey Dinner, Jesse Lee United Methodist Church, 25 Flat Rock Rd, Easton, seatings 5:30 & 7:15 pm, $13, $7 age 12 & under, reservations recommended, all you can eat dinner w/ turkey, sides, desserts, etc, served family style; 203-372-8250.

Nov 7: Jenny Lind Doll Club 23rd Annual Antique & Collectible Doll, Bear & Toy Show & Sale, The Crowne Plaza, 1284 Strongtown Rd/Rte 188, Southbury, 10 am-4 pm, $6, $1 children, doll appraisals (sm fee), raffles, doll hospital; 203-598-7600.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

Nov 2, Nonfiction Book Group, 1 pm, discussion of Lost City of Z, newcomers welcome; Nov 3, “The Wonderful World of Chocolate,” 7 pm, program w/ baker Marie Poirier Brandriff, online registration requested; Nov 4, Beading II: Earrings, 7 pm, $8 (due at registration), join artist Pat Martin to learn a few simple techniques and then create a work of art.

Newtown Hikers. Call 203-788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 203-270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am (spring & fall start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: Oct 30, Devils Den, Redding, six-mile loop (Carol Fullman, 203-270-1747); Nov 6, Bee Brook, Washington (Robin Johnson,

203-263-4964.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-6224 (Betty) or 203-264-3728 (Krista).

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6:30-7:30 pm (weigh-ins 5:45-6:15, meetings 6:30-7:30), meetings $2/week, membership $24/year.

Theatre ______________

Western CT State University’s Berkshire Theater, Osborne St, Danbury; 203-837-8732.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Nov 3-6, curtain 7 pm Nov 3-4, 8 pm remaining Fri-Sun, also mat 3 pm Sat (Nov 20 only), Sun 2 pm (Nov 14 only), tickets $20, $15 students & seniors; note: recommended for mature audiences due to subject matter.

Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport; 203-227-4177.

The Diary of Anne Frank, through Oct 30, contact theater for curtain details, tickets $35-$55. 

******************

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.