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.

Nov 5-6: 44th Annual Giant Valley Antiques Show, Miller Memorial Library-Cultural Center, 2901 Dixwell Ave, Hamden, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $4, benefit for Hamden Historical Society; 203287-2686.

Nov 5-6: 36th Annual Simsbury Historical Society Antiques Show, Henry James Jr High School, 155 Firetown Rd, Simsbury, Sat 10 m-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $6, dealers from CT, MA, NY, PA & RI participating, proceeds to benefit Phelps Tavern Museum & Homestead; 860-658-2500.

Nov 10: Antique Bottle Show & Sale, Booth Memorial Park, Main St Putney, Stratford, 6-9 pm, presented by Southern CT Antique Bottle & Glass Collectors Assn, glass/bottle ID table; 203-799-2570.

Nov 12-13: Wilton American Craftsmanship Show, Wilton High School Field House, Rte 7, Wilton, 10 am-5 pm (early buying Sat 8-10 am, $25), 150 dealers; 203-762-7257.

Nov 13: 54th edition Greater Hartford Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show & Sale, Emanuel Synagogue, Mohegan Dr, West Hartford, 10:30 am-4 pm, adm $6, 50 booths; 860-342-2540.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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 Nov 15: “Vito and David Gesualdi: Paintings, Sculpture and Etchings,” joint show – first in more than 18 years – will offer comprehensive survey of painted landscapes “both real & imagined” by Vito, sculpture & etchings by David (who did the War-Peace Memorial in front of Bethel Municipal Center).

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 Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — *(new show) “Moments: Recent Paintings, 2003-2005,” recent acrylic paintings by Newtown resident Beth Schweitzer, who takes everyday moments & makes them heroic; Nov 6, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

In first floor display cases — Through Nov 30: turned wood works by Russell Strasburger.

On library’s main floor — Through Nov 26: “Newtown Historical Society: Recent Acquisitions,” items recently acquired by historical society, incl rare Civil War artifacts that once belonged to Newtown soldier William Sniffen, to illustrate some of the society’s activities in preserving & making town’s history accessible to public.

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

*(new show) Nov 5-Dec 31: 30th Annual Holiday Exhibition & Sale, annual event offers unique designer quality hand crafted gifts incl scarves, jewelry & jewelry boxes, hats & gloves, ornaments, glassware, ceramics, kitchen items, clocks, turned wood, frames & much more, inventory replenished constantly, proceeds to benefit American craft artists & craft center’s classes & workshops.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-869-0376.

Through Nov 6: “Messenger Rocks from Space: Meteorites and Comets,” specimens, photos, videos & hands-on activities provide an overview of what meteorites & comets are, where they come from & what they tell us about our solar system neighborhood.

Through Dec 31: “Art and Artists: New Yorker Cartoons from The Melvin R. Seiden Collection,” light-hearted look at art & artists portrayed by New Yorker cartoonists, also selection of artists’ portraits by the photographer Anne Hall.

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

*(new show) at Old Town Hall, Mountain Rd at Main St South, Woodbury, Nov 4-6, “Festival in Color 2,” original art, pottery, jewelry & miniatures by 25 award-winning artists.

Gallery at Riverbrook, 151 West Gilbert Rd, Southbury. Hours: Sat-Sun by appt. Call 264-2299.

Through Nov 20: landscapes oils by Richard Martim Miller-Murphy.

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-5 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 203-365-7650.

*(new show) Nov 8-Dec 8, “Faculty Art Exhibit,” annual celebration of talent possessed by SHU staff members; Nov 8, opening reception, 4:30-6:30 pm; Nov 16, “The Struggles of An Artist,” 7 pm, free art talk by participating artist Mary Treschitta.

Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-753-0381.

Through Nov 13: “Connecticut Collects,” special exhibition of unique collections from CT residents incl Madame Alexander dolls, match safes, miniature salesman’s samples, 18th C CT furniture, American Indian artifacts, weathervanes, robots & more.

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 Nov 14: “Inge Morath: Photographer,” salute to the late, world-famous photographer, a former resident of Roxbury; Nov 5, gallery talk, 2 pm, free program will be presented by John Jacob (director of Ms Morath’s estate & member of photography faculty at College of The Atlantic) & Jennifer Larsen (exhibition coordinator of estate).

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.

Through Dec 4: “Artists’ Choice,” presentation of 42 painting selections from 11 award-winning artists.

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

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

*(new show) Through Nov 30: “Lost & Found: Sculpture by Jane Cohn,” welded metal & mixed media pcs created from found objects to form something new

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 Nov 13: “Faculty Show 2005,” biennial event offers work by 36 artists in drawing, painting (oil, acrylic & watercolor), sculpture & pottery.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Connecticut Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury CT 06704-0053.

By Dec 1: Postmark deadline for 2005 Wallace W. Winchell Poetry Contest, entry fee $10 for up to 3 poems, any subject, max 40 lines, neatly typed on 8½ x 11-inch paper, must be original & unpublished work, no simultaneous submissions, cash prizes ($150, $100 & $50) & publication in Connecticut River Review, send email to CyrLM@sbcglobal.net for full contest details.

The Graceful Planet Karma Dance Company, 7 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Call 426-8215.

Nov 4: Open auditions for The Karma Dance Project, 4:30-6 pm, auditions for ballet, jazz, hip hop & modern dancers to join Graceful Planet’s dance company, be prepared for abbreviated class & to learn short combo, acceptance notices will be mailed, $200 membership fee will cover class & rehearsals, involvement in events & more, call or visit Graceful Planet to register & for more info.

Stage Door Productions at The Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 470-7528.

Nov 6 & 13: Auditions for Broadway Bound, 2:30-6 pm (callbacks Nov 20, same time), auditions for singers & dancers for a variety show saluting some of Broadway’s favorite musicals, tap dancers esp needed, singers must be prepared w/ song & sheet music or karaoke music w/ music only (no backing vocals), dancers should be prepared to learn a combo, all should bring photos & resumes, performances will be Fri-Sun Feb 24-March 12, producer is Maria Zargo, director & choreographer is Linda Davies.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Nov 5: Abantu-Mu Bunto at Wilton High School, 395 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, shows at 4 & 7:30 pm, tickets $16 adults, $12 students, family performances by singers, dancers & drummers ages 10-19 from Uganda will incl telling of the folk take  Kakookolo, also traditional tribal dances & songs; 203-762-5557, 203-431-4707.

Nov 5: “An Evening of Song & Healing with Lynn Redgrave,” Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Rte 47, Washington Depot, tickets $25, free ages 10 & under (Patron tickets available, $100-$500), Ms Redgrave will serve as mistress of ceremonies for evening of performances incl soprano Alecia Adams Evans, Broadway actors Byron Neese & Joan Sobel, operatic mezzo-soprano Laura Mashburn, Wagnerian soprano Leslie Middlebrook, journalist & sports commentator (& veteran performer) Suzyn Waldman, singers Valerie Lemon, Karen Arlington, et al, proceeds will benefit New Milford Cancer Center & breast cancer research; 860-868-0569.

Nov 6: Danbury Symphony Orchestra at WSCU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free concert under guest conductor Dr Sandra Dackow will incl New York Philharmonic horn player Jerome Ashby as guest soloist in Strauss’ Horn Concerto No 2, also Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnole, Mozart’s Symphony No 34 & selections of Sousa marches; 748-1716.

Nov 11: Karaoke Contest at The Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, 7-10 pm (doors open at 6:30), adm (incl buffet dinner) $15, open to all adults & children who enjoy singing, prizes for Best Solo & Best Group Performance; 470-7528.

Nov 13: “Serenade To Seniors,” Sacred Heart Church, Rte 172, Southbury, 2-4 pm, suggested donation $10, proceeds to benefit Southbury Senior Center Friends, Inc (to enrich programs at senior center); 264-5071.

Nov 13: Pianist Margarita Nuller at Post University’s MacDermid Hall, 800 Country Club Rd, Waterbury, 3 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students, $5 ages 12 & under, solo performance by Ms Nuller will open 8th Annual Greater Waterbury Classic Concerts Chamber Music Series, also performance by soprano Anna Antunes; 203-754-5590.

Nov 13: David Katz in Muse of Fire, United Jewish Center, 141 Deer Hill Ave, Danbury, 5 pm, tickets $10/adv, $15/door, directed by Tony-Award winner Charles Nelson Reilly, show is “searing & unforgettable portrait of the man who shaped a generation of conductors” (repeat performance Dec 20); 746-2694.

Nov 19: 18th Century Candlelight Concert, at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street/Rte 25, Newtown, 4 pm, free (reservations strongly suggested), concert sponsored by Newtown Friends of Music, in honor of Tercentennial, will feature 18th Century music including works of Bach, Vivaldi, et al; 426-6470.

Ives Concert Hall at WCSU, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Nov 6, Danbury Symphony Orchestra, 3 pm, free concert under guest conductor Dr Sandra Dackow will incl New York Philharmonic horn player Jerome Ashby as guest soloist in Strauss’ Horn Concerto No 2, also Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnole, Mozart’s Symphony No 34 & selections of Sousa marches (call 748-1716 for info); Nov 8, WCSU Symphonic Band & Wind Ensemble, 8 pm, free concert will feature works of composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles Rochester Young & Mark Watters, concert will also feature WCSU music dept chair Dr Dan Goble as featured soloist on baritone sax; Nov 9, Chamber Music Concert, noon, free (donations will benefit music dept) performance will feature Prof of Music Dr Margaret Astrup on vocals, Assoc Prof of Music Dr Russell Hirschfield on piano, adjunct prof of music Jo-Ann Sternberg on clarinet & assoc prof of music Dr Marjorie Callaghan on French horn.

Newtown Friends of Music, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Special Event: Nov 19, 18th Century Candlelight Concert, 4 pm, at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, free (reservations strongly suggested), concert sponsored by Newtown Friends of Music, in honor of Tercentennial, will feature 18th Century music including works of Bach, Vivaldi, et al.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $18 adults, $16 seniors, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: Nov 13, Paris Piano Trio, works of music by Haydn (Trio in E flat minor, Hob XV #31), Schuman (Trio in D minor, Op 63) & Schubert (Trio in E-flat Major, Op 100, D 929).

Quick Center for the Arts at Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010, 877-ARTS-396 (877-278-7396).

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Nov 5, Madame Butterfly by Opera Verdi Europa, 8 pm, tickets $40-$50, return engagement by troupe of singers, choir, ballet & orchestra (pre-show Art To Heart discussion, 7 pm).

St Steven’s Episcopal Church, 315 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-3789.

2005-06 Sunday Afternoon Concert Series, performances 4 pm, sugg donation $10: Nov 6, The Whiffenpoofs, season-opener by oldest collegiate male singing group in US should offer unique sound, exceptional musicianship & musical magic group has become known for.

Films _________________

Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury. Call 797-4533.

Independent Film Series, free, screenings at 2 pm: Nov 6, Inch’Allah Dimanche.

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

Nov 4-11: Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (PG), Fri-Sat (Nov 5 only) 7 & 9:10 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Tues & Fri (Nov 11) 1 & 4 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Nov 4: 3rd Annual Young Writers’ Salon, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, free, young adults will offer readings of poetry, original creative writing & other works, light refreshments will be served; 426-4533.

Nov 5: Book Fair & Family Fun Day, Fraser-Woods School, 173 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-3 pm, book fair, indoor restaurant, two inflatable play areas, storytelling, games & crafts for children of all ages; 364-0465.

Nov 5: 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.

Nov 5: Abantu-Mu Bunto at Wilton High School, 395 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, shows at 4 & 7:30 pm, tickets $16 adults, $12 students, family performances by singers, dancers & drummers ages 10-19 from Uganda will incl telling of the folk take  Kakookolo, also traditional tribal dances & songs; 203-762-5557, 203-431-4707.

Nov 11: “Colonial Life” workshop, Matthew Curtiss House-Museum, 44 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, free, 11 am, one-hour hands-on program for grades K-3 will show differences between Colonial & contemporary lives of children, registration required (space limited); 426-5937.

Nov 11: Veterans’ Day Holiday Workshop, Flanders Nature Center, Flanders Rd at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 1-3 pm, $12, nature-related program will focus on how reptiles get ready for winter, registration required; 203-263-3711.

Nov 13: Flanders Family Fun: Birdfeeders, at Flanders Trail House, Flanders Rd at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 1-2:30 pm, $5, discover nature while spending family time together, registration requested; 203-263-3711.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Nov 6: Friends of Trumbull Library Annual Book Sale, at the library, 33 Quality St, Trumbull, Thurs 6-9 pm (books double their marked prices), Fri 9 am-8 pm (marked prices), Sat 9 am-6 pm (marked prices), Sun 9 am-2 pm (half price) & 2:30-4 pm ($5/bag), 12,000+ quality donated books in 30+ categories, also videos, audio books, CDs & games, proceeds to benefit the library; 452-5197, 203-374-2268.

Nov 4: CWU World Community Day service, Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 25 & 6 (at Tory Lane), Newtown, 1 pm, free service will follow theme of “A Light to the Nations,” guest speaker will be Mark Ingram (Charter Communications), speaking on how media & technology can help present positive images, all welcome, freewill offering will be collected; 426-5192.

Nov 4: 3rd Annual Young Writers’ Salon, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, free, young adults will offer readings of poetry, original creative writing & other works, light refreshments will be served; 426-4533.

Nov 4: “Nepal: Sex Trafficking & Other Forms of Gender Abuse” psychology lecture, WCSU Student Center Theater, 181 White St/Rte 6 (midtown campus), Danbury, 4 pm, free lecture by Dr Mary Crawford (Prof of Psychology & director, Women’s Studies Program at UConn) & Michelle Kaufman (grad student, UConn) will discuss their recent Fulbright-sponsored field study in Nepal, where they investigated subject of lecture, part of ongoing “PsychMatters: Invited Lectures” series; 837-8470.

Nov 4: CT ConTacts Singles Dance, Sheraton Hotel, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd, Danbury, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, recent oldies, soft rock & requests), no jeans; 203-468-1144.

Nov 4-6: Wooster School Art Center Annual Pottery Sale (& Art Book Sale), at Wooster School Art Center, 73 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, Fri 5-7 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-3 pm, sale of unique ceramic pcs (incl vases, bowls & coffee mugs in variety of textures & colors) by students & faculty, also special sale of gently used art books, all proceeds to benefit WSAC & programs; 830-3985.

Nov 4-7: Friends of Ridgefield Library Annual Big Fall Book Sale, at Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, Fri & Mon 10 am-6 pm, Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm, all types of books, LPs, CDs, books on tape & more; 203-431-8766.

Nov 5: 4th Annual Newtown Traditional Hooked Rug Show, at Reed Intermediate School, 4 Trades Lane (within Fairfield Hills campus, off Wasserman Way), Newtown, 9:30 am-3 pm, adm $7, ongoing demos by members of Nutmeg Chapter/Association of Traditional Hooking Artists, display of traditional hooked rugs loaned by regional rug hookers & collectors, appraisals of contemporary hooked rugs, lecture by author & artist Rae Harrell on the design & use of faces in trad rugs, vendors w/ supplies, refreshments & more; 270-8293.

Nov 5: 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); 426-0617.

Nov 5: 14th Annual Brookfield Festival of Crafts, at Whisconier Middle School, West Whisconier Rd, Brookfield, 9 am-3 pm, adm $5, juried event called one of best shows in region features vendors from across Northeast w/ jewelry, decorative pcs, art selections, holiday treasures, edible delicacies, toys & more, refreshments available, presented by Brookfield Museum & Hist Scty; 740-8140.

Nov 5: Western CT Orienteering Club meet, Huntington State Park, meet at Sunset Hill Rd, Redding, registration 10-10:45 am, course opens at 11, $6, O format scoring (go to controls in any order), 60- & 90-min courses, also beginner’s course; 860-658-7963.

Nov 5: 34th Annual Arts & Crafts Show, Center School, Rte 67, Oxford, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, handcrafted items, herbal creations, accessories, jewelry, folk art, art, carved items & more, refreshments also available; 203-888-0230.

Nov 5: “Bookshelf Treasures: Discovering Rare and Hard-To-Find Treasures,” Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem, 1-5 pm, adm $5, program by antiquarian bookseller Bill Goring (Nutmeg Books, Torrington) & staff of B-H House & Garden will incl info about what is currently popular in book collecting world, how Internet has changed antiquarian market & how to use Internet to search for additions for personal collection, appraisals available (first book incl w/ adm, addt’l book $3 each for up to 5 total appraisals); 203-266-7596.

Nov 5: 13th Annual Taste of Poland, at Seymour Congregational Church, 15 Church St, Seymour, 4:30-7 pm, adm $10 adults, $9 seniors, $5 children, dinner of pierogies, potato pancakes, stuffed cabbage, kielbasa & sauerkraut, dessert & coffee; 203-881-2027, 203-888-6729.

Nov 5: Spaghetti Dinner & Dance, Trinity Episcopal Church, 91 Church St, Seymour, 6-10 pm, adm $10 (family max $30), dinner, dancing, silent auction, proceeds to help David Olbrys, who was in near fatal car accident; 203-525-7008.

Nov 5: “How Birds Will Save The World: Biodiversity Conservation in the Internet Age,” at Highstead Arboretum, 127 Lonetown Rd, Redding, call for fee info & start time, lecture by Prof John W. Fitzpatrick (director, Cornell Ornithology Laboratory) will incl illustrated stories about the importance of birds in fostering conservation of wild areas around the world & the role of individual citizens as “citizen scientists” in interpreting & conserving the earth’s biological diversity; 203-938-8809.

Nov 5: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, WCSU Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Lake Avenue Ext), Danbury, 5 pm planetarium show, telescope viewings of the crescent moon near Venus & Mars 6-8:30 pm, free; 837-8672.

Nov 5-6 & 12-13: 45th Annual Danbury Bowling Assn Bowling Tournament, Lore’s Lanes, Rte 7, New Milford, squads will compete 12-4 pm each Sat-Sun; 860-350-2695.

Nov 5-Dec 31: 30th Annual Holiday Exhibition & Sale, Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5pm, annual event offers unique designer quality hand crafted gifts incl scarves, jewelry & jewelry boxes, hats & gloves, ornaments, glassware, ceramics, kitchen items, clocks, turned wood, frames & much more, inventory replenished constantly, proceeds to benefit American craft artists & craft center’s classes & workshops; 775-4526.

Nov 6: All-You-Can-Eat Breakfast, Odd Fellows’ & Rebekah’s Lodge/Odd Fellows’ Hall, 25 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, 8-11 am, adm $6 adults, $3 ages 12 & under, full breakfast of eggs (any style), bacon, sausage, toast, homefries, pancakes, juice, coffee & tea, proceeds to benefit scholarship fund; 860-354-1062.

Nov 6: Baseball Card & Sport Memorabilia Show, Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-2 pm, adm $3 adults, 99¢ ages 10 & under, special appearance by NY Yankees player Bubba Crosby, also vendors & dealers from 5 states w/ cards, sets, supplies, memorabilia & more; 364-1209.

Nov 6: 4th Annual Israeli Fair, Maimonides Academy, 103 Miry Brook Rd, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, sugg adm $2 adults, free ages 18 & under, featuring Israeli & Judaic merchandise as well as many non-religious items incl art, jewelry, holiday & ritual objects, perform, books, T-shirts & much more, raffle, proceeds to benefit Afula Gilboa region in Israel; 792-6353.

Nov 6: WCSU Open House, William O’Neill Athletic & Convocation Center, University Blvd (westside campus, off Lake Avenue Ext), Danbury, 11 am-3 pm, free, campus tours & info sessions; 837-9000.

Nov 6: “Vincent van Gogh: The Drawings,” Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, 4:30 pm, $10, slide lecture by Professor Plonia Nixon (art history, WCSU) will reveal range & brilliance of artist’s draftsmanship, also explore how Van Gogh engaged drawing & painting to fully realize the potential of each means of expression; 860-868-2878.

Nov 7: “Parent Connection forum: Designer Drugs,” Newtown Middle School, 11 Queen St, Newtown, 7-9 pm, free program by Tom Janette, community affairs director of Narcotic Enforcement Officers’ Association; 426-6424, 426-9820.

Nov 9: Genealogy Club of Newtown meeting, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, free & open to non-members, 7 pm, presentation by Brigid Guertin (curator & executive director, Danbury Museum & Historical Society) will discuss ways to store & handle historical & genealogical items, attendees welcome to bring items for assessment; 426-4533.

Nov 9: “Putting Your Garden to Rest for The Winter,” Newtown Senior Center (multi-purpose building), Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:30 pm, free program presented by Dan Holmes (Holmes Fine Gardens) will focus on preparedness for ornamental gardens, sponsored by Town & Country Garden Club of Newtown; 426-5359.

Nov 9: Society of Creative Arts of Newtown program, Newtown Meeting House lower meeting room, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free program will feature Joel Spector offering pastel still life demonstration; 426-6654.

Nov 9: “Laughing About Liquor: Hear The Truth,” Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies & the Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge, Ridgefield, 7 pm, tickets $15, program by Bernie McGrenahan will use humor to introduce facts about binge drinking & other alcohol abuses among the young, suitable for grades 6 & up & their parents; 203-438-5795.

Nov 9: Nutmeg Quilters Guild meeting, Ridgefield Parks & Recreation Center, 195 Danbury Rd, Ridgefield, 7 pm, open to non-members ($5 guest fee), 7 pm, program by quilter Ruth Powers on “Where Do Ideas Come From?” also raffle of annual charity quilt; 203-834-2208.

Nov 9: Author Frank Deford at WCSU Science Building Room 125, Osborne St (midtown campus, near Roberts Ave Elementary School), Danbury, 7:30 pm, free reading by award-winning author will feature readings by Mr Deford from his books The Old Ball Game, An American Summer & Alex, the Life of a Child, book signings to follow, presented by WCSU MFA in Professional Writing program; 837-8876 (program coordinator Dr Brian Clements), 837-8486.

Nov 9: “Churches, Church & Religions: Forty Years after Vatican II,” Fairfield University’s Barone Campus Center, North Benson Rd, Fairfield, 8 pm, free lecture to be delivered by the Rev Roger Haight, S.J.; 203-254-4000 x3415.

Nov 10: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, WCSU Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Lake Avenue Ext), Danbury, free, planetarium show at 5, telescope viewing of waxing gibbous moon & Mars from 6-8:30 pm; 837-8672.

Nov 10: New Morning Store 30th Anniversary Wine & Cheese Event, at Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 6-8:30 pm, free (reservations requested by Nov 5), tastings of local & organic wines, local artisanal cheeses, breads, hot beverages, etc, also enjoy photos & memorabilia from New Morning’s 30 years; 203-263-0673 x317.

Nov 10: Science at Night: Outbreak in Angola, Western CT State University Science Building Room 125, (midtown campus) Osborne St at Roberts Ave, Danbury, 7 pm, free, New York Times reporter Denise Grady will offer first-hand account of mysterious epidemic of highly contagious & deadly hemorrhagic fever that struck African nation of Angolia earlier this year; 837-8773.

Nov 11: 2nd Annual Brookfield Historical Society Veterans’ Day program, at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 7 pm, free program by Command Sergeant Major Arlindo Almeida (Danbury’s 411th Army Reserve Civil Affairs Battalion) will incl discussion of his unit’s participation in Operation Iraqi Freedom, other recently returned unit members will join him for Q&A session; 740-8140.

Nov 12: Blue & Gold Wine Fundraiser, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, 6:30-9:30 pm,$45/couple, $25/single, fundraiser for NHS Blue & Gold Booster Club will offer 50 selected wines, hors d’oeuvres by NHS culinary students & chamber music by NHS ensemble; 270-9112.

Nov 12: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $17, dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), no bluejeans/”dress to impress”; 203-468-1144.

Nov 12: Tag Sale & Bake Sale, Knights of Columbus Hall, Rte 202 at Buckingham Rd, New Milford, 8:30 am-4 pm, books, toys, sm furniture, fresh baked goods & more, sponsored by & benefit for H.O.R.S.E. of CT; 860-868-1960.

Nov 12: Annual Harvest & Yuletide Fair at First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, 9 am-3 pm, lunch available 11-2, visit by Santa (during lunch hours), specialty booths w/ handcrafted items, flowrs, baked goods, jams & jellies, children’s trading post, white elephant booth, silent auction & more; 748-6112, 748-8090.

Nov 12” 21st Annual Country Treasures Craft Fair, Masuk High School, Rte 111, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, juried show will feature 60-70 crafters, lunch available; 268-6005.

Nov 12: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, WCSU Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Lake Avenue Ext), Danbury, free, planetarium show at 5, telescope viewing of waxing gibbous moon & Mars from 6-8:30 pm; 837-8672.

Nov 12-13: Annual Folk Art Santas Open House, 165 Hanover Rd, Newtown, 10 am-5 pm, display of original Santa carvings hand painted, meticulously distressed, antiqued, signed & dated, all available for purchase, light refreshments available; 426-6523.

Nov 12: Indoor Flea Market, Church of the Good Shepherd, 680 Racebrook Rd (at corner Shepherd Lane), Orange, 8 am-2 pm; 203-934-4446.

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

Nov 5-6, Two-Day Beading Workshop, Sat 11 am-3 pm, Sun 12:30-3:30 pm, $40 (includes materials), create a contemporary princess necklace, workshop led by Janis Us (Mohawk-Shinnecock).

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897 or 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: Nov 5, Metropolitan Museum Of Art, New York City, full day, depart Newtown at 10:30 am, bring lunch to eat on train, arrive NYC 12:35, will walk 5th Ave & Central Park to museum (5 miles round trip), estimated cost for train, adm & dinner $55/adults, $43/seniors (Molly Schleis, 748-7347); Nov 12, Camp Smith Trail, Bear Mtn, N.Y. (Evelyn Schonberg, 426-0425).

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 2nd Wed/month, 7:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: Nov 9, guest artist Joel Spector will demo using pastels to create still life.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at Marisa’s Ristorante, 6540 Main St, Trumbull (call 459-4225), tickets $10 unless noted, comedy shows start 10 pm, live music starts at 6 (unless noted), no cover charge (unless stated): Nov 4, comedy by RC Smith & musical comedy by Tom Anzelone, showtime 10 pm, tickets $10.

Theatre ______________

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

Songs for A New World, through Nov 12, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, call for ticket details.

Chase Collegiate School (formerly St Margaret’s-McTernan) Highlander Theater Company, 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury. Call 203-236-9545.

Reckless, Nov 10-18, curtain Nov 10 (Thurs), Nov 12 (Sat) & Nov 18 (Fri) at 7 pm, tickets $10.

Marvin’s Room, Nov 11-19, curtain Nov 11 (Fri), Thurs (Nov 17) & Sat (Nov 19) at 7 pm, tickets $10.

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

Nunsensations: The Nunsense Vegas Revue, through Nov 13 (show extended), curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, mat Sat-Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $38.50 & $42.50, student, senior & group discounts available.NVCC’s Company X, at Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury.

Twelfth Night, Nov 10-12, curtain 8 pm, tickets $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students.

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

Bram Stoker’s Dracula (dramatized by Deane & Balderston), through Nov 19, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Nov 13 only) 2 pm, tickets $15 evenings, $12 mat.

Westover School, South St, Middlebury. Call 203-577-4535.

Fiddler on The Roof, Nov 4-5, curtain 7:30 pm, free adm (but donations gratefully accepted & will be sent to residents of Pass Christian, Miss., to help rebuild playground after Hurricane Katrina).

Wilton Playshop, 15 Lover’s Lane (off Rte 33), Wilton. Call 203-762-7629.

Putting It Together, (opening night postponed one week) Nov 11-26, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Nov 13 & 20) 2 pm, tickets $20 adults, $15 seniors & students; Nov 11, season opener will be followed by reception, open to ticket-holders.