Antiques Shows _________________________

Dec 5: Wilton Holiday Antiques Show, Wilton High School Field House, 395 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 10 am-4 pm (early buying 9 am, $20 incl continental breakfast), regular show adm $10, 75+ dealers

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places ___________________________

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport; 203-331-1104.

Through Jan 2: “Celebrating the Spirit of P.T. Barnum — Energy, Vitality, Balance,” cirque themed creations by CT-based artist (& periodontist) David Millen.

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

Through 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.

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

Through Dec 17: “Easton Arts Council’s Annual Juried Photography Exhibit,” 59 works depicting the scenic beauty of Easton.

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

*(new show) Through Jan 10: “Storms and Other Skies,” photos & paintings by Suzan Scott that capture the changing skies & shifting atmosphere of storms; Dec 5, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Housatonic Community College/Beacon Hall, 900 Lafayette Blvd, Bridgeport.

*(new show) Through Jan 8: “The Shepard Cycle,” suite of lithographs & etchings by Nomi Silverman that detail the narrative of the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, structured similar to Passion of the Christ/Stations of the Cross.

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

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

Koenig FrameWorks, 97 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-270-1887.

*(new show) Dec 3-24: “Scapes,” collection of photo landscapes, seascapes & cityscapes taken around the world by photographers near & far; Dec 3, opening reception, 6-9 pm.

Osborne Homestead Museum at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby; 203-734-2513.

Through Dec 19: “Treasured Holiday Traditions,” learn the origin of many favorite holiday traditions while touring mansion lavishly decorated for the holidays by 7 local garden clubs; Dec 3, 10 & 17, Twilight Tours, 4-6:30 pm, candle-lit tours led by docents, donations accepted.

Concerts, Musical Events       _______________

Dec 3: Woodbury Christmas Festival Concert, North Congregational Church, 11 Main St North (opposite Canfield Corners), Woodbury, 7:30 pm, freewill offering, performances by CT Choral Society Chamber Singers & Naugatuck Valley Gospel Choir, separate & then together, reception to follow; 203-263-0788, 203-263-2410.

Dec 4: Flagpole Radio Café, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, $18, $15 students & seniors, special guests The Roger Ball Quintet will join evening of music by Jim Allyn & The Flagpole Radio Café, also radio style comedy sketches by Flagpole Shakespeare Repertory Theatre; 203-364-2898.

Dec 4: 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.

Dec 4: “Christmas at The Palace 2010,” The Waterbury Chorale at The Palace Theater, 100 East Main St, Waterbury, 8 pm,  $25-$45, classic & contemporary holiday favorites; 203-755-4700.

Dec 5: “Music from Mexico and Cuba,” Ives Concert Hall, within Western CT State University’s White Hall, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance by Danbury Community Orchestra will incl Andalucia Suite by Ernesto Lecuona, Danzon Number 2 by Arturo Marquez, Unfinished Symphony by Schubert & selections from Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream; 203-748-1716.

Dec 5: Femina Melodia at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free performance by female a cappella group of 23 voices will incl spirituals, Medieval, Renaissance & classical, international folk music, original compositions & contemporary American folk music, reception to follow; 203-775-6241 x104.

Dec 5: “A Season of Joy” by The Kent Singers, at St Mark’s Episcopal Church, 5 South Main St, Bridgewater, 3 pm, $10, $8 seniors & children, songs from the highly regarded group’s a cappella group’s mostly classical repertoire (concert also Dec 12 in Kent); 860-354-2156.

Dec 10-12: Danbury Music Centre’s Nutcracker Ballet at Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Rd/Rte 39, Danbury, Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 6 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $15-$25 must be purchased in advance at Danbury Music Centre (256 Main St, Danbury; no tickets sold at door), music by Danbury Symphony Orchestra, 240 regional dancers in professionally quality production presented since 1967; 203-748-1716.

Dec 11: Newtown Choral Society Winter Concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, $10, $8 seniors & ages 12 & under, featuring A Child’s Christmas in Wales, seasonal selections; 203-426-3769.

Midtown Coffeehouse, Western CT State Univ Alumni Hall, Dr James Roach Ave, Danbury; 203-837-9700.

Performances Thurs 8 pm (open mic, then featured act at 9): Dec 9, comedian Chris Doucette.

For Kids & Families        ______________________

Dec 4: Pancakes w/ Santa, Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 West Whisconier Rd, Brookfield, 8-10 am, $25/family, pancakes & sausage breakfast, visits w/ Santa (who will have a gift for each child), proceeds to American Cancer Society through Newtown Relay For Life team Giggles for a Cure; 203-775-2624.

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: Dec 8, “The Landscapes of Hundertwasser,” 4:15 pm, $3 materials fee due day of program (online registration requested), ages 5-9 invited to join artist & educator Randi Rote to learn about the Austrian painter; Dec 9, Gingerbread House Workshop, 4 pm, $3 due day of program (online registration requested), ages 4-9 invited to use royal icing & festive candies to decorate gingerbread house.

Miscellaneous          ___________________________

Through Dec 11: Monroe Historical Society Annual Christmas Fair, The Old Schoolhouse, Wheeler Rd, Monroe, Sat-Sun 9 am-3 pm (also 5-9 pm Dec11), Thurs-Fri 4-7 pm, vintage & collectible Christmas items; 203-445-1082, 203-261-8554.

Through Dec 22: 4th Annual Danbury Museum Holiday Bazaar, Danbury Museum & Historical Society Huntington Hall, 43 Main St, Danbury, Tues-Sat 10 am-3 pm, handmade jewelry, floral pcs, historic Danbury photos, knitted & quilted items & more; 203-743-5200.

Dec 3-4: 30th anniversary Christmas Town Festival, Bethlehem Center & Town Green, Rte 61 at Rte 132, Bethlehem, Fri 5-20 pm (tree lighting w/ Santa & live music at 6), Sat 10 am-4 pm, shuttle buses to & from nearby Bethlehem Fairgrounds, arts & crafts, food, strolling musicians, hay rides, photos w/ Santa, Christmas Town pewter ornament & more; 203-266-5557.

Dec 3-4: Holiday Bazaar, Gaylordsville United Methodist Church, 685 Kent Rd/Rte 7, Gaylordsville, Fri 7-9 pm, Sat 9 am-3 pm, handmade crafts & ornaments, Cookie Walk, baked goods, silent auction, children’s activities, Never Ending Bowl of Soup (Sat 11-2); 860-355-0553.

Dec 3-4: Celebration of Wreaths Gala & Open House, Glebe House Museum, 49 Hollow Rd, Woodbury, Fri 5:30-8 pm (gala event, $25 incl silent auction, wine & appetizers, first dib at buying decorated wreaths), Sat 10 am-5 pm (free adm, tours by costumed docents), artistic wreaths & holiday decorations by local artists, crafters, volunteers & local businesses, Holiday Gift Shoppe open both days; 203-263-2855.

Dec 3-5: “You Can Never Have Enough Christmas” Boutique, Fri 6:30-10 pm ($10 adm incl early buying, wine, appetizers & desserts, also entry to “Bethlehem Night” collection of 50+ crèches from around the world), Sat 10 am-7 pm (free boutique adm; $5 for “Bethlehem Night”, $20 family 5 or more), Sun 8 am-2 pm, Christmas decorations & gifts in variety of prices & styles; 203-426-1014.

Dec 3-5: Christmas Town Festival at Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, The Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem, Fri 5-9 m, Sat 10 am-4 pm, suggested donation $3 or donation for Bethlehem Food Bank, property will be open & festively decorated for holidays during Bethlehem Christmas Town Festival, refreshments & hot cider; 203-266-7596.

Dec 4: 50th Annual Rotary Pancake Breakfast, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St, Newtown, 8 am-1 pm,$7, $3 ages 10 and under, all you can eat pancakes & sausage, applesauce & beverages.

Dec 4: Garden Club of Newtown Annual Greens Sale, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St, Newtown, 9 am-1 pm, wreaths, swags & table arrangements decorated w/ plants grown & dried by members, also tabletop items, book signings & visits w/ author Sydney Eddison (9-11 only), proceeds benefit local scholarship fund & community projects; 203-270-1108.

Dec 4: Gold & Silver Exchange, Newtown Congregational Church library (use lower entrance), 14 West St, Newtown, 11 am-3 pm, hosted by Newtown Woman’s Club, club’s annual pewter ornament also available for purchase; 203-426-1035.

Dec 4: 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.

Dec 4: Flagpole Radio Café, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, $18, $15 students & seniors, special guests The Roger Ball Quintet will join evening of music by Jim Allyn & The Flagpole Radio Café, also radio style comedy sketches by Flagpole Shakespeare Repertory Theatre; 203-364-2898.

Dec 4: Christmas Fair, Harmony Grange, Rte 110 at 111, Monroe, 9 am-2 pm, crafters, baked goods, jewelry, Grandma’s Attic; 203-929-3171.

Dec 4: Annual Cookie Walk & Teacup Auction, Christ Church Quaker Farms, 470 Quaker Farms Rd/Rte 188, Oxford, 9 am-2 pm, thousands of cookies, breads & fudge for sale, auction to incl sailboat rides, Christmas ornaments, quilts, gift baskets & more, also jewelry table & gently used Christmas items; 203-888-2761.

Dec 4: Used Book Sale, Trumbull Library, 33 Quality St, Trumbull, 9 am-3 pm; 203-452-5197.

Dec 4: St Peter’s Holiday Fair, St Peter’s Episcopal Church Parish Hall, 175 Old Tannery Rd/Rte 111 (opposite Monroe Green), Monroe, 9 am-3 pm, Grandma’s Attic, Cookie Walk, baked goods, Chinese Auction, knitted items, lunch (11:30-2:30) & refreshments; 203-268-4265.

Dec 4: Annual Sherman Church Christmas Bazaar, 6 Church Rd (off Rte 39N), Sherman, 9 am-3 pm, homemade items incl knitted, crocheted & sewed works, also cakes, pies, breads & other holiday treats, children’s books, jewelry, Children’s Store (kids’ shopping & free gift wrapping); 860-354-6114.

Dec 4: Annual Christmas Fair, The Scandinavian Club, 1351 South Pine Creek, Fairfield, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, 20+ vendors w/ holiday, handcrafted & Scandinavian gifts, decorations, plants, food, also traditional holiday lunch & visits w/ Santa (12-2 pm), baked goods, children’s activities, gift basket & other prizes; 203-259-1571.

Dec 4: Annual Winter Walk at Putnam Park, Rte 107 & 58, Redding, 11 am (meet at Visitor’s Center, which will be open at 10), 45-min walk around park will be led by Historian Dan Cruson, refreshments, hosted by Friends & Neighbors of Putnam Park; 203-742-0089.

Dec 4: Pot Roast Dinner & Christmas Concert, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, $15, $7.50 ages 6-12, free ages 5 & under, dinner 6:30-7 pm, pot roast & gravy w/ sides & dessert, performance to follow by First Congregational Church Sanctuary Choir to incl seasonal selections; 203-748-6112, 203-792-7085.

Dec 4-5: Holiday Book Sale, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-5 pm, large selection of books, DVDs & CDs in many categories, all in gift-giving condition, at deeply discounted prices, hosted by Friends of C.H. Booth Library, proceeds to benefit library; 203-426-4533.

Dec 4-11: 43rd Annual Gingerbread Village, St George’s Church, Tucker Hill Rd, Middlebury, free, Sat (Dec 4, 10 am-7 pm; Dec 11, 10 am-4 pm), Sun 12-7 pm, Mon-Fri 2-4 & 6-9 pm, annual event following “Storybooks” theme this year will incl 60+ buildings, horse & sleigh teams, ponds, boats, sledders etc, all dressed for Christmas, also craft room & raffles; 203-758-9557.

Dec 5: 25th annual Newtown Holiday Festival, Main Street locations incl C.H. Booth Library, Edmond Town Hall & Trinity Church, 11 am-5 pm, $15 individual, $25 family (two adults & two children; $5 each addt’l child), Victorian Tea, ballet, children’s crafts, photos w/ Santa, Gingerbread House contest, Festival of Trees & tours of private homes, proceeds benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services; 203-426-4335.

Dec 5: Festival of Lessons and Carols for Advent, Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St, Newtown, 2 pm, readings from Old Testament related to Advent & birth of Christ, interspersed with carols; 203-426-9070.

Dec 5: Hawleyville Tree Lighting, Hawleyville Post Office Plaza, 23 Barnabas Rd, Newtown, 5-6 pm, Mrs & Santa Claus arriving via Hawleyville fire truck, refreshments, songs of the season, new toys collected for The Newtown Fund.

Dec 5: Annual WCSU Holiday Wine Tasting, Westside Campus Center Grand Ballroom, University Blvd, Danbury, 4-7 pm, $50, silent auction, proceeds support Caraluzzi Scholarship Endowment; 203-837-8832.

Dec 8: WWF Annual Networking & Shopping Evening, The Villa Restaurant, 4 Riverside Rd, Sandy Hook, 6 pm, $15 ($10 members), professionals & entrepreneurs invited to join Working Women’s Forum for evening of networking, shopping, raffles & refreshments, also collection of food, personal health & beauty products & cash for FAITH Food Pantry; 203-740-7305.

Dec 8: “The Art & Life of Clare Leighton,” The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30 pm, $5, program by printmaker Marc Chabot, friend of the late artist, will discuss Leighton’s work on view at the museum, her revival of woodblock engraving & her career; 203-753-0381.

Dec 11: St Rose Living Nativity, 6:30 pm, St Rose of Lima Church (stable, , 46 Church Hill Road, outdoor program with live animals, angels, shepherds, kings, Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus, hot chocolate and cookies fol-low in Gathering Hall; 203-426-1014.

Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-2475.

Dec 3: Despicable Me (PG), 7 & 9 pm.

Dec 5-10: The Kids Are All Right (R), Sun-Thurs 7 pm, Fri 7 & 9 pm, mat Tues 1 pm.

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: Dec 4, Lovers Leap State Park, New Milford, easy (Joe & Kandace Yuen, 203-26-8328); Dec 11, Richter Park, Danbury (Eloise Muller, 203-740-8957), **short hike followed by potluck luncheon and winter scheduling at Susan Gabriele’s (call Susan for food coordination, 203-775-8236).

Newtown VNA Thrift Shop, Edmond Town Hall (lower level, use rear parking lot), 45 Main Street, Newtown; 203-270-4377.

Open every Wed 12-3 pm & Sat 9 am-noon, discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing, sm home accessories & more. Special event: Decorated Christmas Tree raffle, win the fully decorated tree on view in main lobby of Edmond Town Hall, tickets $2 or 3/$5, available during thrift shop hours, drawing to be Dec 12.

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

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, at The Garage (Newtown teen center), 53 Church Hill Rd, Newtown. Call 203-426-6242, 203-364-0631.

Open mic 7:30 pm, featured poet at 8:45, poetry editing workshop follows featured poet: Dec 8, Poetry Publishing Panel w/ Brian Clements, Cortney Davis, Tony Fusco, Lou Orfanella & Faith Vicinanza; Dec 15, Bah Humbug Open Mic; Dec 22, no poetry.

Theatre    __________________________________

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center; 203-775-0023.

Wait Until Dark, Dec 3-18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 12 only) 2 pm, $20, $15 students.

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

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, through Dec 19, curtain Fri 7:30 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30, tickets $29.50-$46.50.

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

Enchanted April, through Dec 11, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 5) 2 pm, $24, $20 seniors & students.

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

A Child’s Christmas in Wales (musical version), Dec 3-Jan 1, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 12 & 19) 2 pm, $20.

Stray Kats Theatre Company, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-514-2221.

Staged readings, 7:30 pm, $25 (season subscription available), Q&A w/ actors & reception follows: Dec 10, The Man Who Came To Dinner.

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

Almost, Maine, Dec 3-Jan 8, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 2 pm, $20; Dec 16, Holiday Party Night, reception 7 pm, curtain 8 pm, $40, hot & cold hors d’oeuvres, desserts, beverages, etc.

Page 2 Stage reading series, free: Dec 15, Bell, Book and Candle, 8 pm.

Town Players of Newtown, at The Little Theatre, 18 Orchard Hill Rd, Newtown; 203-270-9144.

A Child’s Christmas in Wales (adapted by director Mary Poile), through Dec 5, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, $10, $5 ages 10 & under.

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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 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.