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 18-19: 5th Annual Wethersfield Antiques Show, at Pitkin Community Center, 30 Greenfield St, Wethersfield, Fri early buying 4-6 pm ($10) & preview party opens 7 pm ($30 incl hors d’oeuvres & early buying), Sat 10 am-4 pm, adm $6, 48 dealers, proceeds will benefit Fountain of Service & Memorial Gardens at Wethersfield Museum, also historical society’s educational programs; 860-529-7656.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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

*(new show) Nov 19-Jan 9: “Celebrate The Season,” annual holiday exhibition interprets history of Victorian holiday era through display of 19th Century Christmas trees & period costumes (also, children’s craft activities offered daily); Dec 4, gallery talk w/ acting executive director Kathleen Maher, 12:30 pm; Dec 15, gallery talk w/ acting executive director Kathleen Maher, 11 am and 6 pm.

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

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through Nov 30: “Moments: Recent Paintings, 2003-2005,” recent acrylic paintings by Newtown resident Beth Schweitzer, who takes everyday moments & makes them heroic.

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.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Call 203-869-0376.

*(new show) Nov 19-March 5: “Animals in Winter: Survival at Zero Degrees,” exploration of how animals deal w/ winter & cold is explored through 50+ specimens from museum’s animal mount collections, also touchable fur & hands-on activities for all ages

City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Court, Bridgeport. Call 203-334-7748.

Through Nov 26: “Society of CT Sculptors 13th Annual Juried Members’ Exhibit,” annual showcase of styles ranging from representational to highly abstract, w/ emphasis on “sculpture derived from natural forms” by members of group founded in 1992.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-263-2821.

Through Dec 4: “2 Artists from Russia,” first anniversary exhibition for gallery features modernist paintings by Zufar Bikbov & Svetlana Rumak.

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

Through Dec 12: “Brick Yellow Collinsville,” paintings by Aaron Szymanski exploring “the highly structured urban architecture of historic towns & cities.”

Through Dec 12: “Frozen in Time,” photographic journey of Antarctica by Ari Friedlander offers rare glimpse of the snowbound continent’s landscape & continent, captured during 10 academic research trips taken by Mr Friedlander.

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (new location), New Milford. Call 860-354-3436.

*(new show) Nov 19-Dec 31: “Holiday Show,” grand reopening in gallery’s latest location offers works by Rick Daskam, Robert Ferrucci, Joseph Grieco, Roger Kastel, Christopher Magadini, Edward Martinez, Alain Picard, Bill Rice, Anda Styler, John Swatsley, Danielle Wexler & Scott Zuckerman; Nov 19, opening reception, 5-7 pm.

Knights of Columbus Museum, 1 State St, New Haven, Wed-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-865-0400.

*(new show) Through Nov 16-Jan 29: “Christmas In Miniature: Crèches from Around the World,” examples of crèches from Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Eastern Europe, Africa, Asia & the US, incl 3rd Century gravestone of Severa (first recorded display of Nativity).

Miller Studio & Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3939.

Through Nov 22: “Argentine Impressionism: The Early Twentieth Century,” works by some of the most influential South American artists of the 20th Century, all loaned from The Bavaro-Campagnale Collection, organized by guest curator Claudio Marcelo Bavaro.

*(new show) Nov 25-Jan 12: “Second Annual Black Tie: Little Works of Art Dressed in Exquisite Frames,” second annual exhibit showcasing select group of little paintings all dressed up for the holidays in Miller Studio’s handmade frames, incl works by Thomas C. Adkins, Pete Bergeron, Joy Bristol, Ella Crampton Knot, Robert Holden & Tom Yost (special opening reception Dec 2, 7-9 pm – non-formal dress).

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 12 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. Call 860-354-2455.

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

Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan. Call 203-966-9700.

Through Nov 18: “craft USA 2005,” national craft triennial juried by Gail M. Brown.

Through Nov 18: “The Body Shop,” works by Jody Silver.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Call 203-834-1896.

Through Dec 31: “Sperry Andrews: Works Circa 1939-1990,” approx 30 drawings, watercolors & oil paintings by Andrews illustrate the late artist’s contribution to 20th Century art.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield. Call 860-567-3163.

Through Dec 31: “Dreams, Myths & Subconscious Doodles,” paintings, drawings & sculpture by New Hartford artist David J. Skora, whose work seeks to unfold the metaphoric & symbolic meanings of the subconscious dramas that appear through dreaming.

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.

St Jude Church Christmas Fair, Rte 111, Monroe. Call 261-6404.

Dec 3: Crafters sought for annual Christmas Fair, 10 am-4 pm (snow date Dec 4, 1-5 pm), tables $50 & $90 available first-come first-served, contact church office by Nov 18 for reservations.

St Peter’s Episcopal Church Holly Fair, Monroe Green, 175 Old Tannery Rd, Monroe. Call 268-4265.

Dec 3: Artists & craftspeople invited to participate in annual event, 10 am-4 pm in church hall, spaces $45, contact Judy Hamilton at church office for application & addt’l info.

Washington Art Association Holiday Gift Sale, WAA Gallery, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Call 860-868-2878.

Nov 17-19: Receiving days for Annual WAA Holiday Gift Sale, 10 am-4 pm, entry fee $20/non-members, gallery keeps 30% commission, event will run daily Nov 25-Dec 24, sale features contemporary & traditional original fine art & crafts, full details/event specs available at www.WashingtonArt.org, or contact event chair Ginger Nelson or WAA administrator Delancey Materne at above phone # for details, also seeking volunteers to man gallery during event.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Nov 18: Cosmic Jibaros and The Breakfast benefit concert, Edmond Town Hall theater, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $20, proceeds will fully benefit listener-supported radio station WPKN (89.5 FM); 203-331-9756.

Nov 18: Ballroom Dancing at Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sandpit Rd, Danbury, 7-10:30 pm, adm $10, cash bar, door prizes, dessert & coffee; 748-1278.

Nov 18: The Hurdy-Gurdy Band in “The Adventures of Claude Duval,” Western CT State University’s Alumni Hall, James Roach Ave (midtown campus, off James Roach Ave & near Roberts Elementary School), Danbury, 8 pm, sugg donation $10, performance/play by Heller family will incl music played on hurdy-gurdies, violin & harpsichord w/ humor, intrigue, drama & shadow puppets; 748-1131.

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.

Nov 19: Holyfire at Community Coffeehouse, 7 Madison Ave, Danbury, 7:30-10:30 pm, free adm & refreshments (sugg donation $5-$10), performance by 5-member Hamden-based Christian rock band, opening set by John Ciambrello, Jr; 748-4972.

Nov 20: CT Master Chorale Holiday Prelude Concert, at St Mary’s Church, 24 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Bethel, 3 pm, tickets $15/adv, $20/door, season-opener will feature music w/ marimba, steel drums & brass ensemble, selections by Rutter & Brubeck, spirituals, multi-cultural numbers & other festival selections; 743-0473.

Nov 20: 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” (also Dec 13); 746-2694.

Nov 22: New Orleans Night of Jazz, Reed Intermediate School, Trades Lane (Fairfield Hills campus, off Wasserman Way), Newtown, begins 7 pm, tickets $25 adults, $10 students & seniors, performances by student jazz musicians, also French pastry & beverages, in New Orleans coffee house atmosphere, proceeds to AmeriCares for continued hurricane relief; 426-7644.

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

Nov 21, WCSU Concert Choir & WCSU Chamber Singers concert, 8 pm, free (donations will benefit music dept), performance by 110-voice non-auditioned ensemble (choir) & select group of 20 vocalists (Singers) will follow theme of “Conductor’s Favorites,” w/ feature music spanning 4 centuries, from silly to the serious, to be sung in diverse languages, concluding w/ gospel favorite “Praise His Holy Name.”

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.

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 19, Lucy Kaplansky & Richard Shindell, 8 pm, tickets $30-$35, performance by two of folk’s top musicians.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: Nov 27, The Golden Angels Jazz Band, tickets $15 adults, $10 seniors, $7.50 students, mix of classic Dixieland, standard swing & blues favorites w/ vocals.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-574-4283.

Concerts at Naugatuck Valley College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 3 pm, tickets: $25-$40 adults, $5 students: Nov 20, “Four Bs Bedazzle,” program to incl Bernstein’s Overture to Candide; Beethoven Piano Concerto #1 (feat pianist Wonny Song), Barber’s Music for a Scene from Shelley & Bartok’s Miraculous Mandarin Suite.

Films _________________

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

Alliance Française Cinémathèque series, free, screenings 2 pm: Nov 27, Chocolat.

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

Nov 19-23: Mr & Mrs Smith (PG-13), Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Sun & Tues 1 pm.

Nov 20: Stewart Little II (PG), 4 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

Nov 20: Santa’s Elves Workshop, St Rose Parish Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, $12 per child, 3-4:30 pm, openings for 30 children to make two wooden toys (one to keep, one to give away), hosted by Cadet Girl Scout Kateleen Foy; 364-1557.

Nov 20: Concert by Ridgefield Symphony Youth Orchestra, at East Ridge Middle School, 10 East Ridge Rd, Ridgefield, 4 pm, tickets $10-$15, call for program details; 203-438-3889.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Nov 19, Thanksgiving Craft Workshop, 1-2 pm, $3 materials fee, ages 6 & up invited to join Marie Walker for one-hour event, registration required.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-394-6565.

Programs incl w/ zoo adm ($8 adults, $6 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, group rates available): Nov 26, Crafty ZooKids, 2-3:30 pm, $15 (pre-registration required, fee incl zoo adm), ages 7-12 invited – w/ adult guardian – to learn about animals & make holiday gifts during presentation & craft time in Professor Beardsley’s Research Station, weekly event continues until Dec 17 (diff crafts each weekend).

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

Christmas in Candy Land, through Dec 18, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

Flanders Nature Center, Flanders at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3711.

Nov 21, Thanksgiving Vacation Workshop: Native American Children, 1-3 pm, $12 (registration needed), class for grades 3-8 will concern how children spent their time, games they played, chores & other aspects; Nov 22, Thanksgiving Vacation Workshop: The Pumpkin, 1-3 pm, $12 (registration needed), class for grades 3-8 will focus on the mighty & versatile pumpkin w/ crafts, counting, stories & more; Nov 23, Thanksgiving Vacation Workshop: Turkeys, 1-3 pm, $12 (registration needed), class for grades 3-8 will concern Thanksgiving’s favorite bird w/ crafts, counting, stories & more.

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

Nov 19, Pinocchio, 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Nov 20: Annual Holiday Festival of Trees/Christmas Tree Festival, at The Lounsbury House (Ridgefield Community Center), 316 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $8 adults, $5 seniors, $2 ages 6-12, decorated trees on display & for sale, also Yesterday’s Treasures (gift boutique), Teddy Bear Tea; 203-438-6962.

Through 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 17: Telescope Viewing, WCSU Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Lake Avenue Ext), Danbury, free, 5:30-8 pm, telescope viewing of waxing gibbous moon, autumn sky & Mars from 6-8:30 pm; 837-8672.

Nov 17: “Pets and Your Health,” WCSU’s Warner Hall, Fifth Ave (off White St/Rte 6, on midtown campus), Danbury, registration & networking 6:30 pm, program 7-8:30 pm, adm $10 adults, $1 seniors, presented by Institute for Holistic Studies at WCSU & CY Holistic Health Assn/Danbury branch; 837-8612.

Nov 17: Lake Lillinonah Health Report Forum, Whisconier Middle School, 17 West Whisconier Rd, Brookfield, 7-9 pm, free, discussion & presentation on the effects of pollution on the lake; 860-210-8064.

Nov 18: Housatonic Valley Paddlers Club meeting, Brookfield Community Center, 100 Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 7 pm, free & open to non-members, speakers Linda & Jonathan Napier will display & discuss the building of their own wooden boats; 203-263-3281.

Nov 18-19: Christmas Fair at St John’s Orthodox Church, 364 Mill Ave, Bridgeport, Fri 5-9 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Country Store, Religious Store, Chinese auction, baked goods & refreshments, Kid’s Workshop, gift baskets & more; 203-878-7076.

Nov 18-19: Pumpkin & Holly Fair, Huntington Congregational Church, 19 Church St, Huntington, Fri 5:30-8 pm, Sat 9 am-3 pm, free adm, Art Gallery (works by church artists), Sweet Shoppe (handmade candies & sweets), Enchanted Forest (table-top trees decorated by church members), Bargain Boutique, folk art, needlework, jams & jellies, Harvest Café, white elephant & more; 203-929-1223.

Nov 18-20: A Holiday Gathering at Home: Fine Gifts & Collectibles, 4 Old Green Rd, Sandy Hook, Fri 6-9 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-3 pm, 20+ artisans will gather at home of Stacey Olszewski (also headquarters of Old Green Road Crafts) for show & sale of hand crafted folk art, dolls, primitives, signs, floral designs, silk ribbon embroidered pins, jewelry, homespun wool items, photography, calligraphy, specialty sauces & more; 270-9461.

Nov 19: Annual Fall & Holiday Craft Fair, Lockwood Lodge and Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, residents of both locations will offer arts and crafts, baked goods, homemade applesauce and pickles, lunch, raffles, White Elephant Bingo, decorations, gift baskets, vendors and more; 364-3129.

Nov 19: 36th Annual Country Christmas Bazaar & Breakfast/Luncheon Room, Bethel United Methodist Church, 141 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 9 am-3 pm, crafts, cheese, homemade baked goods & candy, silent auction, theme baskets & Santa; 743-6835.

Nov 19: Annual Holiday Festival, North Congregational Church, Rte 6 at Rte 47, Woodbury, 9 am-3 pm, baked goods, books, Sports, Tools & Garden Room, Santa’s Workshop & shopping area for children, refreshments, lunch (11:30-1:30); 203-263-2410.

Nov 19: Annual Craft Fair, St Theresa’s Parish School, 5301 Main St, Trumbull, 9:30 am-3 pm, free adm, arts & crafts, refreshments, baked goods, raffles; 261-3676.

Nov 19: Tellabration! A Celebration of the Art of Storytelling, at Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield, 10-11:30 am, adm $5 (max $20/family), Ridgefield presentation of annual event of storytelling enthusiasts will feature Missy Slaymaker-Hanlon, Martha Bishop, Kier Hanson & Darla Shaw, appropriate for all ages; 203-431-9850.

Nov 19: 36th Annual Ridgefield Woman’s Club Craft Fair, East Ridge Middle School, Rte 102, Ridgefield, 10 am-4 pm, adm $5, free ages 12 & under, juried show will feature 100+ crafters from across Northeast; 203-240-0093.

Nov 19: Pinecone Wreath Workshop, Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47), Washington Green, 11 am, free (reservations needed), join members of Washington Garden Club to create pinecone door swag or table centerpiece for your home, materials provided; 860-868-7586.

Nov 20: A Winter Wonderland of Gifts Craft Fair, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-3 pm, adm $1, professional craft fair will offer 38 booths, also bake sale, cookbook sale, raffles; 459-0089, 268-1342.

Nov 20: Author Program & Brunch, Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus, 444 Main St North, Southbury, begins 10:30 am, $15 (pre-paid reservations mandatory), author Dani Shapiro will discuss recent work (Slow Motion), brunch & book signings to follow; 203-755-3778, 203-757-8292.

Nov 20: Psychic Fair, Maron Inn, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 11 am-6 pm, free adm, area psychics, clairvoyants, astrologers, tarot & gemstone readers, also vendors; 470-1806.

Nov 20: Lillinonah Audubon Society Potluck Lunch, Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, South Britain, noon, public invited to join LAS members for annual lunch event, BYO dish to share & place setting, local legislators will be on hand to discuss environmental issues & answer questions; 264-6390.

Nov 20: 15th Annual Housatonic Valley Assn Auction to Benefit the Environment, Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Rte 47, Washington Depot, champagne reception & live auction begins 1 pm, live auction begins at 3, tickets $50, bid for vacations, furniture, fashions, Broadway shows, artwork & more, proceeds benefit HVA & its programs; 860-672-6678.

Nov 20: “Practical Tools For Healing and Peace Within Ourselves & Our World,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program led by yoga center’s co-founder & CEO Janaki Pierson on how individuals can become at peace personally & as citizen of world, silent group meditation & tea reception follow; 203-263-2254.

Nov 25-Dec 4: 15th Annual Festival of Traditions, Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, adm $4 adults (anyone age 16 & over), free ages 15 & under, 10-day extravaganza features decorated theme trees, entertainment, activities, fantasy & decorations w/ various festivities to enjoy during the week, call for details; 203-753-0381.

Nov 25-Dec 22: “Celebrate the Holidays,” Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan, Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm, suggested adm $2, work by Silvermine Guild artists in all media, created especially for holiday giving, including “An Enchanted Forest of Holiday Ornaments”; 203-966-9700.

Flanders Nature Center/Van Vleck Farmhouse, Flanders & Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-3711.

Art at The Nature Center, 7:30 pm, $5: Nov 18, “The Architecture of Antonio Gaudí,” Barcelona’s great visionary architect will be discussed by watercolor artist, architect & teacher of design Alexander Purves.

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

Nov 19, Annual Native American Storytelling Festival, 1 pm, $8 adults, $4 ages 4-16 (reservations suggested), special one-hour program led by Abenaki storyteller Marge Bruchac (celebrated Native American storyteller) will engage participants in the time-honored tradition of Native American tradition.

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 19, White Memorial Thru Hike & Back, Litchfield (Claire Sivacek, 744-0086); Nov 26, Al’s Trail, Newtown (Sawsan Ali, 426-8911).

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.

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 18, Tim Homayoon & Mitchell “the area code guy” Walters, 10 pm, $10; Nov 19, Stone River Duo, 10:30 pm; Nov 25, Yesteryear, 9 pm.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury, 9:30 pm, first act, featured act & headliners as follows, tickets $15 unless noted: Nov 19, headliners Tom Clark & Dom Fig, opening set by Matt Christmas; Nov 26, headliner Mike Burton (second headliner TBA), opening set by Maria Walsh.

Trinity Productions workshops, 24 Alpine Circle, Sandy Hook, or Brookfield Commons, 246 Federal Rd (Suite C-23A), Brookfield (call for location), or by appt, or in-home by appt. Call 426-9448.

Workshops at Fairfield County Agricultural Center (white building in rear), 67-69 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel: Nov 19, Kismet Dinner Discussion Group, 7 pm, $15 (registration required), led by Angelita Pine, bring a dish to share; Nov 20, “Talking with Heaven” led by Dee Randis, 4-6 pm, $30.

Wednesday Night Poetry, NEW LOCATION: at Molten Java, 102 Greenwood Ave, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 739-0313 (Molten Java).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 requested if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: Nov 23, no poetry, Thanksgiving break; Nov 30, featured poet TBA (host, Faith Vicinanza).

Theatre ______________

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

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

Marvin’s Room, through Nov 19, curtain Thurs & Sat at 7 pm, tickets $10.

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

Mainstage events: Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, through Nov 20, curtain Sun, Tues-Wed 7 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun & Wed 2 pm, Sat 3 pm, tickets $20-$60, student, senior & group discounts available; Nov 19, Pre-Play Discussion, 2 pm, join theater’s artistic staff for discussion emphasizing secrets & challenges of the creative process.

Newtown High School Drama Dept, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Call 426-7983.

A Thurber Carnival, Nov 17-19, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4:30 pm, tickets $8 adults, $6 students & seniors.

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

A Funny Thing Happened on The Way to The Forum, Nov 18-Dec 10, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Nov 27 only) 3 pm, tickets $22 adults, $18 seniors & students; NOTE: no performance Sat, Nov 26.

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

Wild Mushrooms, through Dec 4, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, call for ticket prices; Nov 25, Dessert Night; Dec 2, Wine & Martini Night.

Stamford TheatreWorks, 200 Strawberry Hill Ave (on Sacred Heart campus), Stamford. Call 203-359-4414.

A Walk in The Woods, through Nov 20, curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, also Sun 7 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $21-$34.

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.

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

Play Readings @ Wilton Playshop series, 2 pm, adm $5: Nov 20, Mark St Germain’s Camping with Henry and Tom, directed by Skip Ploss.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items listed first, with additional events listed by their start time. At the time of printing, the information here is accurate as presented; a call ahead is always a good idea to be safe.

DEADLINE INFORMATION

Press releases for the Enjoy calendar of events or the Enjoy section must be received by MONDAY NOON for publication in that week’s edition of The Newtown Bee. Send to the attention of Shannon Hicks, 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.