Antiques Shows______

March 13-14: 31st Connecticut Spring Antiques Show, CT Expo Center, 265 Rev Moody Overpass, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $10, 72 exhibitors; 207-767-3967, show phone 860-493-1300 x110.

March 13-14: Guilford Antiques Show, Adams Middle School, Rte 77, Guilford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $6, 40 exhibitors, proceeds benefit Hyland House; 603-778-8842.

March 19-21: 37th Annual Darien Antiques Show, First Congregational Church of Darien, 14 Brookside Rd, Darien, Fri 7-9 pm (preview party, adm $40), Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11:30 am-5 pm, show adm $8, 30+ dealers.

March 19-20: 42nd Annual Manchester Antiques Show, Second Congregational Church, 385 North Main St, Manchester, Fri 11 am-8 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, adm $4, lunch & dinner available, Tea Room; 860-649-7770.

March 20-21: 37th Annual Wilton Historical Society Antiques Show, Wilton High School Field House, Rte 7, Wilton, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $10, 95 dealers, proceeds benefit Wilton Heritage Museum; 203-762-7257.

March 20-21: Ephemera 24 – International Show & Conference, Hyatt Regency Greenwich grand ballroom, 1800 East Putnam Ave, Old Greenwich, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $10, 85 exhibitors, appraisals (Sun 12-3, $5/item); 631-261-4590.

March 21: Opening day Elephant’s Trunk Bazaar, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm, adm $1 (early buying 5:45-7 am, adm $20), 300 dealers, outdoor flea market runs every Sun (closed Easter) to Dec 19; 860-355-1448.

March 21: Northwestern CT Antiques & Collectibles Show, Northwestern Regional High School, Central Avenue Extension (off Rte 44), Winsted, 9:30 am-4 pm (early buying 8:30, adm $10), show adm $4.50; 860-673-7070, 860-480-3339.

March 21: Weston Indoor Antiques Market, Weston High School, School Rd, Weston, 10 am-4:30 pm (early buying 9 am, adm $10), show adm $6, 50+ dealers, benefit for Weston High School Junior Class; 203-222-2259.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Beaux Arts Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 12-4:30 pm. Call 203-263-3939.

*(new show) March 22-May 3, “Inside Out: The Paintings of Helene Brier,” March 27, opening reception, 4-6 pm (artist’s talk at 5).

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.

Through March 20, “Tickle My Fancy,” nude self-portraits & “other curiosities” by member & guest 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 (lower meeting room): *(new show) March 7-31, portraits of people & animals & metal sculpture by the Sandy Hook artist Jack Hornak.

Also in view: Through April 16, “Journal Pages,” work by members of The Scrapbag Quilters.

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

Through March 28, “Living With Fine Craft: The Heart of The Home,” multi-media national invitational juried exhibition of fine handmade functional craft work (ceramics, fiberwork, glassware, metalwork & woodwork) for the home focuses on items that can be used for fine cooking, serving & elegant dining.

Brookfield Historical Society, Rtes 133 & 25, Brookfield Center. Hours: Sat 12-4 pm, also by appt & by chance (when museum flag is displayed). Call 740-8140.

Through March 31, “Victorian Postcards,” hundreds of postcards from turn of the center from society’s permanent collection.

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

*(new show) March 13-June 20, “Fire Stories: Australian Aboriginal Art from The Kluge-Ruge Collection,” art based around the theme of fire w/ approx 20 paintings & 20 objects to explore the significance of fire in the art & lives of Australian Aborigines, also examines the historic & scientific role of fire in shaping Australia’s geography, flora & fauna; March 15, exhibition talk, 10 am, intro &overview of Australian Aboriginal art by curator Margaret Smith; March 29, “Caring for Country in the Way of The Eagle Sea Clan,” 10 am, discussion by Deborah Bird Rose & Margaret Daiyi on the importance of bush fires & challenges facing today’s culture; April 10, “An Historical Look at Aboriginal Culture,” 10 am, overview of Aboriginal history by Dr Howard Morphy (director, Centre for Cross-Cultural Research at Australian Nat’l Univ).

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

Through March 30, “Earth, Wind & Fire,” monotypes & mixed media collages by Tracey O’Connell Sperry; March 6, opening reception, 1-5 pm.

Good News Café, 684 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 11:30 am-10 pm, Sun 12-10 pm. Call 203-266-4663.

Through April 12, “Nature Impressions,” multi-hued artistic quilts “capturing the rich beauties of the natural world in fabric” by Sandra Scott.

Grey Horse Gallery, 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34 (in old Masonic Temple, 1st floor; behind St John’s Episcopal Church), Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

Permanent display of oils & pastels by Dick McEvoy.

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

Through April 18, “At Home In Waterbury, Part II,” exploration through oral histories, photos & artifacts explores history of close-knit Waterbury communities of Bucks Hill, Crownbrook, Gilmartin, Homeville, South End, Town Plot & Washington Hill.

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

Through March 30, “Nature: Its Power and Poetry,” ceramics by Robin Johnson that rely on contrasting textures & eccentric shapes to capture the strength & timelessness of the natural world coupled w/ watercolor landscapes & seascapes of Italy & Connecticut by Marija Pavlovich McCarthy.

Museum of American Political Life at University of Hartford, 200 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-768-4090.

Through May 16, “American Originals: Treasures from The National Archives,” The Emancipation Proclamation, The Louisiana Purchase Treaty & The Civil Rights Act of 1964, also other documents that have been important during US history (note: special hours will allow public display of pages from Emancipation Proclamation – March 25, 9 am-4 pm; March 26 & 27, 9 am-8 pm; March 28, 9 am-4 pm).

Through May 16, “Connecticut Originals,” complement to “American Originals” presents 80± items representing ideas (CT Charter, ESPN, etc), personalities (Prudence Crandall, Ella Grasso, Katharine Hepburn, Katharine Houghton Hepburn, et al) & inventions (Colt’s Revolver, interchangeable parts, telephone switchboard, etc) introduced by & in CT.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-5050.

Through June 1, “Dinosaur Eggs, Nests and Young,” more than 100 fossil dinosaur eggs & embryos at hands-on exploration stations & animated video presentations featuring well-known dinosaur experts allow visitors access to new evidence that unlocks the mysteries of dinosaur reproductive behavior.

Ridgefield Guild of Artists (RGA) Gallery, Halpin La, Ridgefield. Hours: Thurs-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-438-8863.

Through March 21, “Camera Works,” works by RGA members in film, digital, image/emulsion transfers, giclée prints, etc.

Sadelier, 69 West Wooster St, Danbury. Hours: Tues-Thurs, Sat 11 am-5 pm, Fri 11 am-6 pm, Mon by appt. Call 743-4830.

Through March 15, “Pieced Work,” felted wool pcs by Morna Crites-Moore: small square of wool felt embellished w/ needlework & antique buttons blur the line between folk art & fine art.

Walsh Art Gallery at Quick Center, Fairfield Univ, North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm. Call 203-254-4000 x2969.

Through March 21, “A World Of Stage: Russian Costume & Stage Design from the George Riabov Collection of Russian Art,” works of pre-Bolshevik revolution Russian theater & items by Russian émigré artists who designed sets & costumes in the West.

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 March 28, “Recent Work,” still lifes by Christine Hartman, still lifes & landscapes by Tina Re, landscapes by Tom Yost.

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 March 26, “Seeing,” prints & monotypes by Jane Cukor.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Masterpiece Tours of Permanent Collection every Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through June 30, “The Gems of Brazil,” 16 of the 20 paintings of hummingbirds by the American artist Martin Johnson Heade intended as illustrations for lavish book of same name, on loan from Manoogian Collection.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Brookfield Arts Commission. Call 740-2801.

May 29: Dancers & singers, food vendors, artists & crafters being sought for International Cultural Festival, will run on Brookfield Town Hall property, 12-4 pm, contact Joanne Hunter ASAP for details.

Bushnell Center for Performing Arts Promenade Gallery, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford CT 06106-1621. Call 860-987-5929.

March 31: CT visual artists sought for 2004-05 season, contact Susan Finnegan at above # for application form & addt’l info, artists need to submit application, 10 slides, résumé & SASE.

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 39 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850 (voice box #3) or www.TheaterBarn.org.

March 14 & 16: 2003 season combined auditions for the musicals The Rink & Pageant and the comedy Light Up The Sky, Sun 2-6 pm, Tues 7-9:30 pm, seeking men & women of all ages, no children, prepare 1 minute modern monologue & 32 bars of modern pop song (for musicals only).

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 39 (behind firehouse), Sherman. Call 860-355-4394.

March 21-22, April 3-4: Auditions for A Chorus Line, director Lanny Mitchell seeks 8 men & 9 women of ethnic diversity, ages 17-30, who sing, dance & act, several “cut” dancers (singers & dancers only, no speaking lines) ages 17-30 also needed, also male actor for role of Zack (any age), singers & dancers must be prepared w/ song & sheet music & be ready to learn a dance combo – March 21 (dancers only), 3-7 pm; March 22 (singers & actors), 7-10 pm; April 3 (dancers only, at Let’s Dance Studios, 994 Federal Rd, Brookfield), 3-7 pm; April 4 (actors & singers), 3-7 pm.

                  

Concerts, Musical Events ____

March 13: “Friends,” Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, free recital by vocalists & friends Victoria Gordziel & Regina Brown w/ accompanist Jean Rauch will incl classical, Broadway, sacred & popular music selections; 748-1716.

March 14: Acoustic guitarists & recording artists Judy Handler & Mark Levesque at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free concert by musicians who create unique sound by blending Brazilian, Latin, swing, gypsy, European & classical influences; 775-6241 x104.

March 14: “Lullabies and Love Songs,” First Congregational Church, on the green/Rte 47, Washington Green, 4 pm, tickets $10/adv, $12/door, $8/students, performance by soprano Alecia Evans w/ classical & contemporary selections focusing on the splendor of family, the grace of children & the beauty of eventide w/ works of Debussy, Sondheim, Floyd & children’s composers; 860-868-0569.

March 14: The Handler-Levesque Guitar Duo at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free performance will continue library’s Winter-Spring 2004 Concert Series, reception w/ musicians follows performance; 775-6241 x104.

March 15: CT Master Chorale concert at St Rose of Lima, Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 3 pm, tickets $15/adv, $20/door, performance of Cherubini’s Requiem in C minor & choruses by Verdi; 743-0473.

March 17: 23rd Annual Bagpiper on the Green, WCSU (10:30 am, Fishbowl, westside campus off Mill Plain Rd; noon in Quadrangle, midtown campus, White St), Danbury, performances by Dr David Machell on pipes & flutes, Prof David Smith on field drum, & narrators Prof Charles Mullaney & Dr Michael Foley.

March 18: Niles String Quartet at Pomperaug Woods, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 7 pm, free performance by University of Kentucky’s graduate ensemble in residence will incl works of Haydn (String Quartet in E flat Major) & Ravel (String Quartet in F Major); 262-6555.

March 19-20, 26-27: The Balancing Act: Laughing and Singing through Life, new cabaret show by Donna Moore at Boyajian Sculpture Barn, Rte 39 at Milltown Rd, New Fairfield, performances 8 pm, tickets $20 (March 19-20 & 26) & $30 (incl post-show wine reception w/ Ms Moore, performance of 2-act 1-woman show will feature Ms Moore in evening of jazz songs, autobiographical monologue & comedy, accompanied on piano by arranger & conductor Arnie Gross, proceeds to benefit Candlewood Arts Fund Scholarship; 746-6101.

March 20: Irish Step Dancers of Newtown at The Village at Brookfield Common, 246-A Federal Rd, Brookfield, 2:30 pm, free performance by local dancers open to the public free of charge; 775-8696.

March 20: 30th Annual String Orchestra Music Festival concert, Bethel Middle School, 600 Whittlesey Dr, Bethel, 3 pm, tickets $5 adults, free ages 14 & under, performance by 200+ area middle & junior high school students recommended by teachers & accepted through audition incl Newtown & Sandy Hook students; 790-2808.

March 20: The Shamrogues Irish House Party, Black Rock Art Center, 2833 Fairfield Ave, Black Rock section of Bridgeport, 7:30 pm, adm $9 adults, $5 children & seniors, 15 of CT’s leading traditional Irish musicians will offer varied evening of traditional Irish entertainment incl music, songs, bagpipes, fiddles, tin whistles, button accordions, mandolins, banjos, bodhram, hammered dulcimer & fun; 203-367-7917.

March 21: “From Russia with Love,” Danbury Symphony Orchestra concert at Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 3 pm, free adm, program will offer 3 masterpieces by Russian composers: Tchaikovsky’s Symphony #6 (“The Pathetique”), Shostokovich’s Festive Overture & Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody for Piano & Orchestra (w/ guest pianist Miko Kominami); 748-1716.

March 21: Borealis Wind Quartet at First Congregational Church, 6 Kirby Rd (at Rte 47, on the green), Washington Green, 4 pm, suggested donation $10-$15, performance by flutist Katherine Fink, oboist Tamar Beach Wells, clarinetist Kathryn Taylor, Dan Culpepper on horn & Wayne Hileman on bassoon will incl works of J.S. Bach, Rossini, Amy Beach, Wm Matthias, Nino Rota, et al; 860-927-3879.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-4519.

Stage A/Performance Art & Music Series, temporarily at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave: March 19, singer-songwriter Richard Thompson, 8 pm, tickets $35; March 24, jazz performer Cassandra Wilson, 8 pm, tickets $25.

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

March 12, WCSU Jazz Combos concert, 8 pm, free public concert; March 16, “Radical Folk Music,” 8 pm, free performances by Davic Rovics & Attila the Stockbroker w/ original songs & poetry dealing w/ global social issues from “a radical point of view.”

Newtown Friends of Music, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $15, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: March 21, the pianist Melvin Chen, works of Alessandro Scarlatti (3 selected sonatas), W.A. Mozart (Fantasia in C minor, K.457), Higdon (Secret & Glass Gardens), Ravel (Valses nobles et sentimentales), Debussy (Estampes), Chopin (Three Nocturnes, Opus 9) & Gottschalk (“Union,” a medley of American folk tunes).

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra, Ridgefield High School, 700 North Salem Rd (Rte 116), Ridgefield. Call 203-438-3889.

Performances, 8 pm, tickets $25-$45 adults, $15-$25 ages 18 & under: March 14, “Love & Joy,” **at 3 pm, performance at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge, guest violinist Ayako Yoshia, works of Beethiven (Romance in G Major, Op. 40), Haydn (Violin Concerto in C Major), Rossini (Overture to La scala di seta) & Ambrosius (Suite # 2 in G minor, Op 64a).

Films _________________

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

March 12-18: The Cooler (R), daily 9:25 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 4:15 pm; The Company (PG-13), daily 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 pm; The Fog of War (PG-13), daily 7:10 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 4:25 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:25 pm; Monster (R), daily 6:45 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4 pm; The Passion of The Christ (R), daily 6:30 & 8:55 pm, mat Fri 3:45 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:45 pm.

2nd Annual Young Foundation Film Festival, screenings at noon, free tickets must be picked up by Thurs before show, optional post-screening discussion: March 14, Shalon Y’All & Bombay Jews.

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

March 12-18: Something’s Gotta Give (PG-13), Fri-Sat 7 & 9:15 pm, Sun-Thurs 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues-Wed 1 pm.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Call 203-852-0700.

Through March 14: Young Black Stallion, Mon-Thurs 11 am & 1 pm, Fri-Sun 11 am, 1 & 7 pm.

Yale Center for British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Call 203-432-2800.

“Glorious Technicolor, Breathtaking Cinemascope & Stereophonic Sound,” ongoing series of free screenings, 2 pm unless noted: March 13, How to Marry a Millionaire (1953, not rated, 95 min); March 20, A Hard Day’s Night (1964, rated G, 87 min).

For Kids & Families _________

March 5: Kindergarten Friday at Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 1:30 pm, free (registration requested/space limited), kindergarteners (or children age 5) invited to special program of games, stories & craft or video, continues first Fri/month into May; 452-5459.

March 6: The Frog Prince by Missoula Children’s Theatre, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, performances 3 & 7 pm, tickets $15, contact Fraser-Woods School for details; 426-3390.

March 6: Family Movie Day, Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 11 am, tickets $6 (incl screening, popcorn & drink), special screening of Lion King 1½ is sponsored by Newtown Newcomers Club; 364-0597, 426-3383.

March 7: Purim Carnival, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 2-4 pm, games, prizes, light refreshments & family fun, presented by Congregation Adath Israel of Newtown; 426-5188.

March 20: The Three Feathers puppet show, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rtoe 302, Newtown, 10 am, free performance of Grimms fairy tale will be presented by school’s early childhood teachers, suitable for ages 4-6 & parents; 364-1113.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: March 13, St Patrick’s Day Craft Program, 1-2 pm, $3 materials fee (due at registration), ages g & up invited to join Marie Walker for craft hour; March 20, Sing Along With Irv, 1 pm, ages 3-6 invited to join Irv Playstock for sing-along program; March 21, Model Passover Seder, 3 pm, ages 6 & up (incl interested adults) invited to join Rabbi Shaul Praver for program focusing on Seder aspects, food, the theme of Freedom, dancing, discussion & more.

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: March 24, Roby Holler book discussion, 4:30 pm, one-hour program on Sharon’s Creech’s book.

 

Miscellaneous ___________

March 12: “Designing For Deep Understanding & The Transfer of Knowledge: Concept-Based Curriculum and Instruction,” WCSU Westside Classroom Building (Room 218), University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, 4:30-5:30 pm, free lecture by national presenter & consultant on curriculum design (K-12) Dr Lynn Erickson; 837-8244.

March 13: 5th Annual Newtown Youth Services Dinner Dance & Auction, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 7 pm, tickets $40, dinner, live and silent auctions, live music by Third Shift, proceeds benefit NYS activities and programs; 270-4335, 426-9637.

March 13: Red Barn Crafts Spring Craft Preview, 1115 Monroe Tpke (Rte 111), Monroe, 10 am-3 pm (heavy snow date March 27), seasonal (spring, Easter) & Americana items in fabric & wood, berry wreaths & garlands, also Lucy Sullivan’s Pins from The Past & debut of Aunt Julia’s Hope Chest (embroidered gifts incl towels, wine bags, baby blankets, children’s gifts, etc); 452-9123.

March 13: 9th Annual Danbury St Patrick’s Day Parade, begins at Rogers Park & follows Main St, turns onto Liberty & runs around block, steps off at 2 pm, local pipe bands, marching bands, floats, local groups & individuals featured.

March 13: Annual Veterans Holding Corporation Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, Second Meeting House, 40 Main St, Bethel, continuous servings 5-8 pm, adults $12, ages 12 & under $6, full dinner, cash bar, also raffles & door prizes; 748-6112.

March 13: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, WCSU Westside Observatory, University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, free, 6 pm planetarium show, telescope viewing of Moon & other objects between 7-9 pm; 837-8672.5

March 14: “Wahoo It’s Spring! Toward God Through Surrender,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program led by Ro Palladino will be followed by group meditation & tea reception, all welcome; 203-263-2254.

March 16: Lunch & Learn: Long Term Care Insurance, Lockwood Lodge at Ashlar of Newtown, 139 Toddy Hill Rd, Newtown, lunch at noon, program 12:30-1:30 pm, free (reservations required), presentation by GE Financial longterm care advisor Jeanne Murray; 364-3127.

March 16: “Parenting 101: Tips To Maintain Your Sanity – Despite Your Child,” call for program location (Newtown), 7:30 pm, $10/person, $15/couple, parenting workshop from The Parent Connection and led by Roseanne Loring will discuss the important link of humor to skillful parenting; 270-4335.

March 16: “Love & Knishes: Irish Stew, Jewish Mishmash,” Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus, 444 Main St North, Southbury, $5.50 suggested donation, lunch at noon, program at 1, singer & guitarist Kathy Nativo will offer an afternoon of songs, stories, lies & jokes; 267-3177 x105.

March 16: “Listening Deeply To God: Exploring Spirituality in An Interreligious Age,” WCSU Ruth Haas Library, 181 White St, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free, discussion by Dr Frederica Halligan (director, WCSU Counseling Center) will incl insights from writer’s new release of same name, book signing follows; 837-8693, 837-9100.

March 17: Housatonic Valley Paddlers Club meeting, CL&P Service Center, Barnabas Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, all welcome to join club for planning session of future trips; 203-263-3281.

March 20: Lions Club Pancake Breakfast, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 7 am-noon, breakfast presented by Lions Club and NHS Leo Club will raise funds to continue work on Al’s Trail.

March 20: Canine Search & Rescue Fundraiser, Dickinson Town Park, Elm Dr, Newtown, 11 am-2 pm, adm $5/person, $10/family, demos of rescue techniques by underwater divers & rescue dogs, proceeds to benefit CT Canine Search & Rescue (CCSAR) & Newtown Underwater Search & Rescue (NUSAR); 426-0738, 426-0253.

March 20: “Beautiful Baskets and Beautiful Things,” C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4-7 pm, tickets $5, silent auction of 12 theme baskets presented by Newtown Woman’s Club will also incl live music by Peter Obre, wine tastings, proceeds to benefit local social services and community organizations; 426-5283, 426-5321, 426-2226.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Free programs unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: March 14, Mating Dance of American Woodcock, 6 pm, sugg donation $5, participants will have opportunity to witness courtship dance of American Woodcock, meet at welcome kiosk & dress for outdoors; March 21, Mating Dance of American Woodcock, 6 pm, sugg donation $5, participants will have opportunity to witness courtship dance of American Woodcock, meet at welcome kiosk & dress for outdoors.

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

Programs free unless noted: March 16, Author Program: Justin Moser, 7 pm, Newtown resident will be discussing his Ben Abbott series & Treasure Island; March 17, Intrepid Travelers: Venezuela, 7:30 pm, Dr Milton & Wendy Clark will return w/ a new travel program; March 18, Evening Book Club, 7:30 pm, discussion of Richard Price’s Samaritan, newcomers welcome; March 23, Author Program: Stephen Rawley, 7:30 pm, Newtown resident will discuss his recent release on long-term health care insurance; March 24, Intrepid Travelers: Central Africa, 7:30 pm, Dr Milton & Wendy Clark will return w/ a new travel program; March 27, Computer Class for Intermediate-Level Users, 9 am-noon, $10, registration required.

Devil’s Den Preserve, 33 Pent Rd, Weston. Call 226-4991.

All events free, no pets (even on leashes), reservations required: March 14, “Bottoms Up,” 10 am-2 pm, join Steve White for hike to highest & lowest points within preserve incl Laurel Train, Godfrey Pond & Great Ledges; March 21, “Spring Signs Family Walk,” 1:30-3 pm, search for early signs of spring incl spring peepers & skunk cabbage.

Flagpole Photographers, C.H. Booth Library meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 270-1943, 426-0558.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: next meeting March 18.

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/Candlelight Art Evenings, 7:30 pm, $5: March 19, “Designing Custom Houses for Clients,” architect Stephen Lasar & senior designer Sabina Jahic (also of Stephen Lasar Architects) will discuss what clients want in today’s homes.

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

March 14, Lichens & Mosses in Winter, 1-3:30 pm, $15, gallery talk & winter walk to look at Native American winter ethnobotany & learn about a plan that possesses amazing healing qualities; March 20, Annual Maple Sugaring Festival, 11 am-4 pm, $6 adults, $4 ages 4-16, demos will show how Native Americans made maple syrup & sugar hundreds of years ago, children’s activities, servings (11-1 only) of pancakes & syrup; March 21, Spring Equinox Drum workshop, 1-4 pm, $125, join E. Barrie Kavasch to create a 15” single-face drum.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Call 426-1533.

Maple Syrup Days, through March 30, daily 10 am-5 pm weather permitting, $5, tractor rides, maple syrup tastings & sugar house tours, reservations requested for groups.

Newtown Hikers. Call 426-2897, 270-4340.

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am, free, all welcome, bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: March 13, Sherwood Island State Park, Norwalk (Evelyn Schonberg, 426-0425); March 20, Todds Point, Greenwich (Jack Donlon, 203-966-8421); March 27, Orenaque Park, Woodbury (Ildiko Gramling, 203-263-0086), short hike will be followed by end-of-season potluck lunch, call for food coordination.

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 (separate door for thrift shop), shop carries discounted items from local businesses & private donors incl clothing & sm home accessories, etc.

Shepaug Eagle Observation Area, Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station, River Rd, Southbury. Call (Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm) 800-368-8954.

Observation area open Jan-mid March only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations required.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6654.

Meetings 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: March 24, pastel program by Leslie Levy.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) meetings, 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.

Wednesday Night Poetry, Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place (in former railroad station), Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 270-6202 (Michael Seri), 748-2828 (BAJ).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: March 17, poet TBA; March 24, Lisa Starr; March 31, Susan Kinsolving.

 

Theatre ______________

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

A Funny Thing Happened on The Way To The Forum, through May 9, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $34.50-$42.50.

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

We Won’t Pay! We Won’t Pay! through April 4, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets ($30-$40 during previews) $38-$55.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

The Gin Game, through April 11, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $25-$35, group rates available.

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

The Vagina Monologues, through April 3, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & students, doors open one hour before performance; play has adult themes & language.

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

The Sweepers, through March 14, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50.

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

Fuddy Meers, through March 20, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15.

WCSU/Berkshire Theatre (midtown campus, off White St), Danbury. Call 837-8732, 837-8486.

Twelfth Night, through March 13, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, tickets $12 adults, $10 seniors & ages 12 & under.

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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 prints; please call for details concerning photo files to be emailed.