Antiques Shows______

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

Sundays (through Dec 19): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1.

Dec 3-5: 47th Annual Antiquarius Antiques Show, Greenwich Civic Center, Old Greenwich, Fri-Sat 11 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $15, breakfast & lecture by Richard Keith Langham (Fri 9:30 am, $40 incl show adm), breakfast & gallery tour w/ Ronald Bourgeault (Sat 9:30 am, $25 incl show adm), proceeds benefit Historical Society of The Town of Greenwich; 203-869-6899 x14.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs-Sat 12-9 pm, Sun 11-4 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

*(new show) Through Jan 8: “Winter Magic,” fine arts and crafts by area artists.

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 —  *(new show) Dec 3-29: “Images of Alaska,” photographs of Alaskan images by Mary Hayes-Siegrist; Dec 5, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Carriage Barn Arts Center in Waveny Park, 681 South Ave, Cosmic Hippo, 41 North Main St/Rte 7 (on Kent Green), Kent. Hours: Fri-Mon 10 am-5 pm & by appt. Holiday Hours: Daily 10 am-5 pm through Dec 25. Call 860-927-3069.

*(new show) Through Dec 31: “Home for the Holidays,” holiday cards by Karin & Cathy Sebetic, hand-felted Santas by Rose Garbien, fused glass stars & pins by Linda Banks, ornaments by Françoise Morgan, stained glass ornaments & suncatchers by Heidi Kelly, winter watercolors by Linda Doyle, and watercolor snip paintings by Marian Meigs.

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

*(new show) Dec 9-Jan 16: “Anna Held Audette: Painter of Ruins of Our Time,” also recent scupture by David Burt; Dec 11, artists’ reception (public invited), 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.

*(new show) Dec 4-Jan 12, “Black, White & Gray,” photography by Judith Patrovich incl many of state’s landscapes, portrait sculpture by Philip Grausman; Dec 4, openng reception, 2-4 pm.

Potter & Slack Fine Art, Rte 202, Marbledale. Hours: Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-868-3245.

*(new show) Through Dec 31: “Holiday Exhibition: Small Format,” paintings & sculpture by 4 generations of New England artists incl paintings by Bertram Bruestle featuring CT landscapes & barns, VT scenes by Rosemary Ladd, local landscapes by Curt Hanson & Frank Metz, plus sculpture by Paul Suttman & Stanley Bleifeld.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery (formerly Grey Horse Gallery), 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Thurs 7-9 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; Dec 11, formal gallery reopening (public welcome, most artists will be in attendance), 1-4 pm (snow date Dec 18).

Wilton Art Gallery & Framing, 379 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-762-8311.

Through Dec 5: “Fred Stein Photography: Paris 1930s – New York 1940s – Portraits,” street scenes of Paris in the years just before German occupation, New York during & just after WWII, plus portraits of intellectuals, artists & statesmen who shaped the political & cultural events of the 20th Century.

*(new show) Dec 6-Jan 31: “Into The Light,” stained glass works by Carol Engelson & paintings by Diana Wege; Dec 10, artists’ reception (public invited), 6-8 pm.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-6 pm, Tues-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

*(new show) Dec 3-29: “A Father-Daughter Collaboration,” watercolors by Ed MacEwen, box art pcs, ceramics & photography by Newtown resident Bonnie MacEwen Sailer, and a set of murals produced by the father & daughter artists; Dec 3, artists’ opening reception, 6-8 pm.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Dec 4: Hansel & Gretel at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, performances 3 & 7:30 pm, tickets $10-$25, production by Hat City Music Theater of Humperdinck’s family opera will include vocalists from Aspen Music Festival, Santa Fe Opera & Los Angeles Opera, plus instrumentalists from Metropolitan Opera & Broadway; 746-2694.

Dec 4: NUMC Coffee House, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7:45-10:30 pm, adm $3 for those attending earlier pasta dinner (see details under Miscellaneous), $4 otherwise, live bluegrass & folk music, refreshments, suitable for all ages; 426-0617.

Dec 4: The Nutcracker, Rogers Park Middle School, 21 Memorial Dr, Danbury, 4 pm, adm by donation, special presentation will last approx 1 hour, sponsored by CT Jaycees; 800-203-6000.

Dec 4: Holiday Concert by The Sanctuary Choir, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, 7:30 pm, free concert by award-winning choir & brass ensemble will incl Martin’s holiday cantata Circle of Joy & other Christmas music, preceded (6-7:30 pm) by church’s Annual Yankee Pot Roast Dinner (public welcome; $15 adults, $7.50 ages 7-12, free ages 6 & under, dinner of pot roast, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, rolls & beverages); 748-6112.

Dec 4: “Home For The Holidays,” at Wilton High School, 395 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 8 pm, tickets $20-$80, annual Wilton Kiwanis Holiday concert; 203-834-0308.

Dec 4: Martha Stewart’s Big House Christmas: The CT Gay Men’s Chorus Holiday Show, WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $25 & $30, performances also planned at Shubert in New Haven, Stamford Center for the Arts & Hartford’s Belding Theater; 800-644-CGMC (2462).

Dec 5: “The Kent Singers: A Venetian Christmas,” St Joseph’s Chapel at The Kent School, 1 Macedonia Rd, Kent, 3 pm, tickets $15/advance, $20/door, free for ages 15 & under w/ paying adult, Margaret Muller will direct choir through works of Monteverdi, Gabrieli, et al; 860-354-2156.

Dec 5: The Chamber Singers at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free holiday performance by a cappella group of 20 voices from CT Choral Society will offer both the familiar & the unusual incl carols from Spain, France & a West Indian spiritual, post-concert reception w/ musicians; 775-6241.

Dec 5: “Russian Canvases” by Danbury Community Orchestra, WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance by 70-pc orchestra made up on teens & adults from greater Danbury area will incl music by Russian composers, many of which have been used in movies, TV shows & commercials; 748-1716.

Dec 8: NVCC Jazz Band Winter Concert, Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 8 pm, donations accepted, Joseph Jacovino Jr & band will present evening of seasonal favorites; 203-575-8039.

Dec 10: 14th Annual Saint John’s Chorale Christmas Candlelight Concert, St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington Green, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $8 students, Richard Busch will direct auditioned group of singers through works of Williams (Fantasia on Christmas Carols), Pergolesi (Magnificat) & other seasonal favorites incl an original composition by Mr Busch, concert will also be offered Dec 12 at 4; 860-868-2527.

Dec 10-12: Nutcracker by Main Street Theater, at Pomperaug High School, 234 Judd Rd, Southbury, performances Fri 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $20 adults, $16 senior citizens & ages 18 & under, full production featuring Todd Hall (Main Street Ballet resident guest teacher, former member of Boston Ballet) w/ students & faculty of Woodbury-based dance studio; 264-4364.

Dec 10-12: Danbury Music Centre’s annual Nutcracker Ballet, at Danbury High School, Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $15 & $20, full production of ballet will feature more than 200 dancers, 50 musicians from Danbury Symphony Orchestra & 30 singers from Danbury Symphony Youth Chorus, artistic director is Arthur Fredric, music direction by Richard Price, technical director Francis Arnold Daley & costumes by Lisa Denton & Laurie Toothill (& respective crews); 748-1716.

Dec 11: Newtown Choral Society Winter Concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, $9 adults, $7 seniors & students, director Mary Andreotta will lead choir through Geoffrey Bush’s In Praise of Mary, works of Mozart & Thompson, also songs of the season, accompanied by Todd Gorski; 426-3769.

Dec 12: “Christmas Recital,” Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 4 pm, donations welcome, recital featuring vocalists Lynn Williams, William Joyner, Anne Wright Coffman, and Mattie and Caroline Joyner, violinist Amy Lonsinger, organist Phil Crevier, classical guitarist Larry Williams, bassoonist Jackie Sifford Joyner, proceeds will benefit NCC; 426-9024.

Greater Bridgeport Symphony, Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-0263.

Performances 8 pm, tickets $18-$50 w/ student & group discounts: Dec 4, “Holiday Magic,” guest conductor Matthew Savery will lead program of Rossini’s Magic Toy Shop, selections from Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker, “Winter” from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, then seasonal carols & audience sing-along.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Dec 10-11, “Holiday Spectacular! Debbie Gravitte & Friends,” Ridgefield Playhouse for Movies and The Performing Arts, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 2 pm (family matinee), tickets $20 & $25, songs, music, dance & humor w/ Ms Gravitte (Tony Award-winner), plus folk singer Kevin Briody, poet Ira Joe Fisher, internationally known tenor William Joyner, The Kids Chorale, Ridgefield Chorale and The Russ Kassoff Trio.

Films _________________

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

Dec 3-9: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (R), daily 7:10 & 9:40 pm, mat Fri 4:30 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:30 pm; Kinsey (R), daily 6:50, 7:50 & 9:30 pm, mat Fri 4:15 & 5:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40, 2:30, 4:15 & 5:10 pm; Sideways (R), daily 6:40 & 9:20 pm, mat Fri 3:50 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm.

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

Independent Film Series, 7:30 pm, free: Dec 14, The Republic of Love.

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

Dec 3-9: De-Lovely (PG-13), Fri-Sun 7 & 9:10 pm, Mon-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues-Wed 1 pm.

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

Lost & Found Film Series, 7:30 pm screenings followed by guest speakers for Q&A, tickets $15: Dec 3, A Walk on The Moon, guest actor & director Tony Goldwyn.

For Kids & Families _________

Dec 3-12: Two from Galilee, Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd, Bethel, performances Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $7.50, dramatic musical by Walnut Hill Worship & Arts Department based on the book by Marjorie Holmes; 796-7373.

Dec 4: Hansel & Gretel at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, performances 3 & 7:30 pm, tickets $10-$25, production by Hat City Music Theater of Humperdinck’s family opera will include vocalists from Aspen Music Festival, Santa Fe Opera & Los Angeles Opera, plus instrumentalists from Metropolitan Opera & Broadway; 746-2694.

Dec 4-19: Vintage Train Rides to Visit Santa, Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, Sat-Sun 12-5 pm, $7 (ages 3 & up), visitors will ride on fully-restored 1953 New Haven Railroad Rail Diesel Car (RDC) through museum’s railyard en route to Santa’s railcar, where they will be greeted by Mrs Claus & elves, small gifts for each child; 778-8337.

Dec 7: Holiday Train Story Time at Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 4:30 pm, free program for ages 5-8 will incl story, video & craft, registration required (program repeats Dec 15); 452-5459.

Dec 8: “Let’s Talk About Christmas,” at Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 4 pm, ages 5-10 will be joined by Rev Kurt Huber (St Peter’s Episcopal, Monroe) for a holiday program to incl Christmas tree craft & refreshments, registration requested; 452-5459.

Dec 9-13: Scholastic Book Fair at Sylvan Learning Center, 20 Federal Rd/Rte 7, Brookfield, 9 am-8 pm daily, specially-priced books & educational products incl recently released works, award-winning titles, children’s classics, interactive software & current best-sellers, special open house & family event w/ read-alouds, refreshments & door prizes on Dec 10 (7-8 pm); 775-9611.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Dec 11, Gingerbread House Workshop, 3-4 pm, $3 materials fee due at registration (must be done in person), ages 4 & up invited to decorate an already-assembled graham cracker house w/ icing & candies.

Downtown Cabaret Children’s Theatre Co., 263 Golden Hill St, Bridgeport. Call 203-576-1636.

The Littlest Christmas Tree, through Dec 26, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

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

Dec 12, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas by Theatre IV, 1 & 3 pm, $12 adults, $10 children, musical production based on Clement Moore’s poem.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Dec 19: “Songs of The Season: Sights & Sounds of The Holiday Season,” Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave (off Rte 34), Derby, Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, free adm, each room of museum will be decorated to reflect a different holiday sound by members of regional garden clubs, tours available from museum guides, Twilight Tours also available Dec 3, 10 & 17; 734-2513.

Through Dec 24: Washington Art Association’s Annual Holiday Gift Sale, WAA Gallery, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, sale of crafts & small works of art made by 100+ area fine artists & craftspeople, suitable for holiday giving, incl soaps & body scrubs, beaded necklaces, patchwork quilts, functional & decorative pottery, ornaments, dried floral wreaths & more; 860-868-2878.

Through Dec 31: 29th Annual Brookfield Craft Center Holiday Exhibition & Sale, BCC campus, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, handcrafter work by more than 200 American artists in jewelry, pottery, glassware, wearables plus functional & decorative craftwork for home & office; 775-4526.

Dec 3: Newtown Tree Lighting Ceremony, Ram Pasture, Elm Dr at Hawley Rd, Newtown, 6:30 pm, carol singing w/ NHS Choir, visits w/ Santa & Mrs Claus, donuts & hot chocolate, all counting down to lighting of town’s official holiday tree at 7.

Dec 3: Newtown Singles “Meet & Mingle” event, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St (Rte 25, at the flagpole), Newtown, 7-9 pm, free adm, area singles welcome; 261-4210.

Dec 3: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections(Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), no jeans permitted; 203-468-1144.

Dec 3: Holiday Twilight Tour at Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave (immediately off Rte 34), Derby, 4-6:30 pm, free adm, self-guided tours through museum where each room has been decorated by regional garden club members to reflect Christmas songs, decorated museum open for regular visits w/ guided tours to Dec 19 (Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, group tours available – call for appt), Twilight Tours also planned for Dec 10 & 17; 734-2513.

Dec 3: Annual Wilton Holiday Walk, Wilton Center Gazebo, 5:30-7:30 pm, Santa arrives around 5:30 to open celebration of holiday season & listen to children’s wishes, nearby merchants will be hosting special sales, Wilton Library will be open late w/ refreshments & opening reception of a father-daughter art exhibition, sponsored by Wilton Chamber of Commerce; 762-3950.

Dec 3: “Art from The Heart: An Escape to the Arts Fundraiser,” at Escape to The Arts, 293 Main St, Danbury, begins 7 pm, tickets $75, shop for unique works by 50 fine artists (painters, sculptors, photographers & jewelers) while enjoying fine wood, select wine & live music; 794-1413 x100.

Dec 3-4: Garden Club of Newtown Annual Greens Sale, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, Fri 2-8 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm, sale of decorated wreaths in many styles and themes, also garland, wall hangings, jellies, etc, all created by garden club members, also raffle for rose hip wreath, sale continues on Saturday.

Dec 3-4: Monroe Historical Society Christmas Fair, East Village-Barn Hill Historic Schoolhouse, Wheeler Rd, Monroe, Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, vintage & new ornaments, decorated sleds, Grandma’s Attic (small vintage collectibles), baked goods, historical society cookbooks & more, sale continues Dec 3-4 & 11; 268-5511.

Dec 3-4: Third Annual Gunn Memorial Library Festival of Trees, Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47/on the green), Washington Green, Fri 5-7 pm (preview cocktail party & raffle, $10/person, $15/couple), Sat 10 am-2 pm, exhibition of decorated theme trees available for viewing & purchase, also sale of limited edition Gunn Memorial Library Bookmark; 860-868-7586.

Dec 3-4: 24th Annual Connecticut’s Christmas Town Festival, area of Rte 61 at 132, Bethlehem Center, Fri 5-10 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, buildings & churches surrounding town green will be decorated & filled w/ holiday crafters & refreshments, candlelight procession (Fri 6 pm) leading to reenactment of Mary & Joseph looking for shelter, traditional Advent service (Fri, at First Church Bethlehem), Santa’s arrival (Fri), hay rides, ongoing musical performances, extended hours at Bethlehem Post Office & more, note: no parking in center of town, shuttle bus service will be ample; 203266-6766, 203-266-6326.

Dec 3-4: Lucia Fest, United Covenant Church, 68 Westport Rd, Wilton, begins 7 pm, reservations required, holiday festival will feature traditional Swedish baked goods, singing of Christmas carols & procession of Santa Lucia; 203-834-0644.

Dec 3-8: New Canaan Library’s Great Pre-Christmas Book Sale, New Canaan Library’s Adrian Lamb Room, 151 Main St, New Canaan, Fri begins 5:30 pm (call for info on entry tickets, no fee charged), Sat 9 am-5 pm (live music, refreshments), Sun 12-5 pm, Mon-Tues 9 am-5 pm, hundreds of books in gift-giving conditions, discounts begin Sun, credit cards welcome; 203-594-5000.

Dec 3-12: Two from Galilee, Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd, Bethel, performances Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $7.50, dramatic musical by Walnut Hill Worship & Arts Department based on the book by Marjorie Holmes; 796-7373.

Dec 4: 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 details under Concerts); 426-0617.

Dec 4: Children’s Book Sale, Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 9 am-4 pm, indoor event w/ picture books, chapter books, classics, series, videos & DVDs, also visits w/ Santa (10:30-noon); 203-762-3950.

Dec 4: Harmony Grange Annual Christmas Fair, grange hall, Rte 110 at 111, Monroe, 9 am-4 pm, artists & crafters, food; 264-3480.

Dec 4: St Peter’s Church Holly Fair, Parish Hall of St Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd (Rte 111 at Monroe Green), Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, crafters, Cookie Walk, baked goods, Chinese auction, children’s gift table, Grandma’s Attic, live holly & copies of St Peter’s 200th Anniversary Cookbook, also lunch (11:30-2:30); 268-4265.

Dec 4: St Jude’s Annual Christmas Fair, St Jude Parish, 707 Monroe Tpke/Rte 111, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm (snow date Dec 5, 1-5 pm), free adm, crafters & artisans, Chinese auction, quilt raffle, children’s room, Elf’s Corner (for children’s shopping), food & baked goods, wreaths; 261-6404.

Dec 4: Flanders Annual Christmas Open House, Flanders Nature Center, Flanders Rd at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury, 10 am-4 pm, Van Vleck Farm Sanctuary Trail House will host sale of decorated wreaths, refreshments, visits & photos w/ Santa (11 am-2 pm), stringing of popcorn & cranberries, personalizing holiday cars, also mule-drawn sleigh rides; 203-263-3711.

Dec 4: Friends of Easton Library Holiday House Tour, maps & directions at Easton Public Library’s community room, 690 Morehouse Rd, Easton, 10:30 am-3 pm, tickets $30, 6 privately-owned homes will be decorated for holidays & open for visitors, lunch available at library (sm fee), proceeds to benefit library; 261-0234.

Dec 4: Dramatic reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47, on the green), Washington Green, 3 pm, free dramatic reading by writer & performer William Kinsolving, reservations requested but not required; 860-868-7586.

Dec 4: Annual Yankee Pot Roast Dinner at First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, 6-7:30 pm, $15 adults, $7.50 ages 7-12, free ages 6 & under, dinner of pot roast, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, rolls & beverages, followed by free concert by Sanctuary Choir (award-winning choir & brass ensemble will perform Martin’s holiday cantata Circle of Joy & other Christmas music); 748-6112.

Dec 4-5: 24th Annual Craft Fair Holiday Boutique, Company A Firehouse, Rte 39, New Fairfield, 9 am-4 pm both days, free adm, designer wreaths, theme decorated tabletop trees, lighted pinecone baskets, dining table centerpieces, Bearington Bears, gift baskets, ornaments in many themes & more, sponsored by & benefit for New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society; 860-355-7287.

Dec 4-5: Annual Brookfield Historical Society Holiday Fair, Historical Society’s Museum, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield Center, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 11 am-2 pm, live wreaths, poinsettias, handmade ornaments, food & baked goods, Grandma’s Attic & unique Brookfield gifts, museum’s gift shop will also be open, proceeds to benefit future historical society events; 740-8140.

Dec 4-11: 37th Annual Gingerbread Village & Christmas Bazaar, St George’s Episcopal Church, Tucker Hill Rd, Middlebury, Sat (Dec 4, opening day) 10 am-7 pm (also Christmas Bazaar, featuring ornaments, handmade crafts, pot holders, aprons, gift cards, pewter ornaments, calendars, baked goods, luncheon & more), Sun 12-9 pm, Mon-Fri 2-4 & 7-9 pm, Sat (Dec 11) 10 am-4 pm, annual presentation of full village (50+ buildings) populated w/ people, horses, sleighs, fences, ponds, boats & sledders, all gingerbread & decorated by hand, w/ theme this year of “Ye Olde New England Christmas”; 203-758-2165.

Dec 5: 19th Annual Newtown Holiday Festival, events at Edmond Town Hall (45 Main St/Rte 25), Newtown High School (12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook), Trinity Church (31 Main St/Rte 25), and private homes on & near Main Street, 11 am-5 pm, tickets $25 adults/advance ($28/day of festival), $23 seniors & students/children in advance ($25 day of), arts & crafts show & sale (will open at 10), antiques show & sale (also opens at 10), New England Café and NE Café Too!, Victorian Tea Room, live music, Ideas Homes, Festival of Trees & more, annual event is major fundraiser for Family Counseling Center; 426-8103.

Dec 6: BookTalk at Southbury Public Library, 561 South Main St/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, Waterbury Republican-American reporter & editor Bob Veillette will moderate “The Plays of Shakespeare,” participants invited to open discussions on their favorites; 264-1716, 262-6123.

Dec 7: “Stress Less and Enjoy Life More!” WCSU’s Alumni Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm (socializing & networking begins at 6:30), $10 adults, $1 senior citizens, public program by holistic counselor & energy healer Nancy Humphreys on divergent methods that can help w/ life’s daily stressors, part of university’s 2004-05 monthly series of holistic health events; 837-8612, 837-8486.

Dec 9-13: Scholastic Book Fair at Sylvan Learning Center, 20 Federal Rd/Rte 7, Brookfield, 9 am-8 pm daily, specially-priced books & educational products incl recently released works, award-winning titles, children’s classics, interactive software & current best-sellers, special open house & family event w/ read-alouds, refreshments & door prizes on Dec 10 (7-8 pm); 775-9611.

Dec 10: Holiday Twilight Tour at Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave (immediately off Rte 34), Derby, 4-6:30 pm, free adm, self-guided tours through museum where each room has been decorated by regional garden club members to reflect Christmas songs, decorated museum open for regular visits w/ guided tours to Dec 19 (Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, group tours available – call for appt), Twilight Tours also planned for Dec 3 & 17; 734-2513.

Dec 11: Monroe Historical Society Christmas Fair, East Village-Barn Hill Historic Schoolhouse, Wheeler Rd, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, vintage & new ornaments, decorated sleds, Grandma’s Attic (small vintage collectibles), baked goods, historical society cookbooks & more; 268-5511.

Dec 11: WCSU Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University westside campus, University Blvd (off Mill Plain/Lake Ave Ext), Danbury, planetarium show at 4:30 pm, telescope viewing 5:30-7:30 of early winter sky, free & open to public; 837-8672.

Dec 11: Mad Hatters Independent Media Center (IMC) Second Annual Community Art Auction, at Molten Java Coffeehouse, 102 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, silent auction begins 6 pm, live auction at 8, free adm, sales of local businesses’ wares, also art from local artists in variety of tastes/styles & price ranges, half proceeds will benefit Danbury Hatters IMC, other half will go directly to artists; 730-9397.

Dec 12: Newtown Holiday Craft Festival, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-4 pm, free adm, 30 crafters expected, presented by Artisans Alliance; 261-2414.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave **temporarily at 137 Greenwood Ave (in building w/ Hauser Chocolate), Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Free public programs: Dec 5, readings by poet, peace activist & author Gerard Brooker, 2 pm, Bethel resident, published author & awards winner will read from Even Whispers Can Be Heard, book signings will follow, all proceeds from sales of any of Mr Brooker’s books will benefit library’s capital campaign.

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

Programs free unless noted: Dec 7, Non-Fiction Book Club meeting, 1 pm, discussion of Paul Revere’s Ride by David Hacke Fischer, newcomers welcome; Dec 7, “Sunset Series: Decision Making At The End of Life, Part II – Choices To Be Made,” 7:30 pm, speakers from Yale-New Haven Transplant Center/New England Organ Bank will address resuscitation options, also organ donation & transplantation, reservations strongly suggested; Dec 9, A Child’s Christmas in Wales, 7:30 pm, Dylan Thomas’ classic will be brought to life by Peter Loffredo.

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: Dec 4, Millerton Rail Trail, N.Y. (leader is Eloise Mueller, 740-8957); Dec 11, Southford Falls, Oxford, short hike followed by winter hike planning session & potluck holiday luncheon (leader & food coordinator is Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025).

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

Monthly “Meet & Mingle” events, 7-9 pm: next program/meeting Dec 3.

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.

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, bug spray & light snack, pre-registration requested: Dec 4, 2½-3-hour hike, starts at 10 am; Dec 11, 2-hour hike, starts at 9 am.

Theatre ______________

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

Sugar Babies: The Burlesque Musical, through Feb 6, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $37.50-$45.50.

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

Mack & Mabel, through Dec 12, curtain Wed-Thurs 7:30 pm, Fri 8 pm, Sat 8:30 pm, Sun 6:30 pm, mat Wed & Sun 2 pm, Sat 4 pm, tickets $22-$51 (student rush tickets available, call for info).

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

The Mystery of Irma Vep, through Dec 12, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Tues 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $40-$60; Dec 5, Sunday Symposium follows performance; Dec 7, Tuesday Talkback (follows performance).

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

Pageant, through Dec 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm (note Dec 11, performances 6:30 & 9 pm), tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students; cabaret seating, audience welcome to bring in refreshments (picnic dinners also available), doors open one hour before show.

Seven Angels Theatre, Hamilton Park Pavilion, Plank Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-757-4676.

Fully Committed, through Dec 5, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$36.

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

Anthony Neilson’s The Night Before Christmas, Dec 3-19 & 31, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 12 & 19) 2 pm, tickets $15, show is not appropriate for children; Dec 4, evening is sold out; Dec 9, Pay What You Want performance, 8 pm, patrons name their ticket prices; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala, 8 pm, tickets $30 & incl hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

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

Holiday Memories: The Thanksgiving Visitor and A Christmas Memory, through Dec 5, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $15 evenings, $12 mats.

WCSU/Berkshire Theatre, in Berkshire Hall, Osborne St at Seventh Ave (midtown campus, off White St), Danbury. Call 837-8732, 837-8486.

“A Director’s Festival: One-Act Plays,” Dec 8-10, curtain Wed-Thurs 8 pm, Fri 7 & 9 pm, free adm (donations will benefit WCSU’s theatre arts dept).

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Events that appear by date have Newtown events 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.