Antiques Shows______

Saturdays: Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, Rte 6 near Rte 64, Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week, event runs weekly through mid-Dec; 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.

Sept 25: 38th Annual Lebanon Historical Society Outdoor Antiques Show, Lebanon Green, Rte 207 at 87, Lebanon, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $4, 100+ dealers, refreshments.

Sept 26: Newtown Historical Society Fall Antiques Show, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-4 pm, adm $5, proceeds benefit historical society; 426-5937.

Oct 1-3: The Washington Antiques Show, Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Rte 47, Washington Depot, Fri preview party 6:30-9 pm (tickets start at $100), show hours Sat 10 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, 22 dealers from across the country, show walk-through & tour Sat (9 am, with Lou Marotta), lectures Sat (Tom Savage, director of Sotheby’s, 11 am; private art consultant Jill Capobianco, 1 pm; Metropolitan Museum of Art floral master Chris Giftos, 3 pm; tickets for all lectures $25), proceeds benefit Gunn Memorial Library & Museum; 860-868-7586.

Oct 2-3: Fall Hartford Antiques Show, CT Expo Center, 265 Rev Moody Overpass, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $8, 36± dealers; 207-767-3967.

Oct 3: 37th Easton Lions Club Antiques Show, Helen Keller Middle School, Sport Hill Rd/Rte 59, Easton, 10 am-4 pm (early buying 9 am, $10), regular adm $4, dealers from throughout New England; 203-874-7738.

Oct 9-10: New England Antique Arms Society 6th Annual Hartford Antique Arms Show, CT Expo Center, 265 Rev Moody Overpass, Hartford, Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun 9 am-2 pm, adm $8; 978-827-6709.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Thurs & Sat-Sun 1-5 pm, Fri 12-8 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through Jan 5: “David Opdyke: 2004 Aldrich Emerging Artist Award Exhibition,” new work loaded w/ satire by this year’s winner of museum’s largest single award.

Through Jan 5: “Shahzia Sikander: Nemesis,” new digital work incl recent animations, drawings & a site-specific installation by the Pakistani artist.

Through Jan 5: “Bottle: Contemporary Art and Vernacular Tradition,” exploration of the use of the bottle as a poetic container, the nature of the bottle as a spiritual space & its use as a container for liquor offered through works by 25 artists & selections from various bottle collections.

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 Oct 31: “Awakening Spirit,” new works by Beverly Branch, Kevin Conklin & Marcia Taylor.

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 — Through Sept 24: “Out Of Doors,” new paintings by artist & teacher Randi Rote.

On library’s main floor — Through Oct 14: “A Song in My Heart,” art quilts by members of The Scrapbag Quilt Artists Guild, each inspired by music (titles of songs, verses, imagery of lyrics, etc).

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 Sept 30: “A Quilter’s Odyssey,” quilts, dolls & wearable art from the collection of award-winning local quilter Patricia Jennings; Sept 29, artist’s lecture, 7:30 pm, Mrs Jennings will conduct lecture on her work.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-5 pm, Tues & Wed 10 am-8 pm, Thurs 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm. Call 261-0134.

Through Oct 19: paintings by painter, designer & teacher Jerry Clarkson; Sept 11, painting demo by Mr Clarkson, 4-6 pm; Sept 14, artist’s reception, 6-8 pm.

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

*(new show) Through Oct 3: “Fire and Stone,” pottery by award-winning potter Debbie Altschwager, unique handcrafted jewelry by Adelita Chirino & limited edition jewelry by Gwen Robinson; Sept 26, opening/artists’ reception (public invited), 12-7 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 Oct 4: “House and Garden,” recent multi-layered paintings by I.S. Levitz of commonplace subjects inspired by life experiences.

Through Oct 4: “Moment Captured,” original & eclectic photos by Charlie Heyman of landscape, architecture, still life & other subjects.

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.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Sat 10 am-2 pm, Mon & Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through Oct 27: “Femininity in Sculpture,” outdoor presentation of unique terra cotta & limited edition bronze sculpture by sculptor Mireille Lemarchand.

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

Through Sept 30: “Metal Sculpture by Mimi Nelson,” small works in bronze by Sherman artist known for her large outdoor metal works.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours (museum has new hours as of Sept 1): Wed-Fri 11 am-5 pm, Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm. Hours. Call 860-278-2670.

Through Oct 3: “Childe Hassam and Connecticut Impressionism,” selection of CT & New England paintings & works on paper by one of the leading proponents of Impressionism, shown alongside works of contemporaries incl Willard Metcalf, John Twachtman, Henry Ward Ranger, Charles H. Davis, Emil Carlsen, et al.

Through Nov 14: “Celebrating Bushnell Park,” original paintings, sketches, photos, vintage postcards & monumental silver punchbowl from USS Connecticut recounting history & purpose of Hartford’s central municipal park on its 150th anniv; Sept 30-Oct 1, “The Part & The City: Past, Present and Future,” symposium at Trinity College w/ keynote speaker Louis Menand, also guest speakers, call 860-297-2125 for details.

Washington Art Association, Bryant Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

*(new show) Oct 2-24: “The Color Of Everyday Life,” stencil paintings by Michael Everett, figurative paintings by Robyn Whitney Fairclough & landscapes by Paula Stark; Oct 2, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

West Wind Studio, 35 Calhoun St, Washington Depot. Hours: Sat-Sun 1-5 pm or by appt. Call 860-354-6518.

Through Sept 26: paintings & drawings by Michael Chelminski & Roger Barnes.

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.

*(new show) Through Dec 11: “The Scholar As Collector: Chinese Art at Yale,” selection of the masterworks of Chinese art in YUAG’s permanent collection incl selections of calligraphy & painting, ceramics, Qing era bookcase, scholar’s desk objects & scholar’s yoke-back chair.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Graceful Planet Moving Arts Center, 75 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook. Call 426-8215.

Oct 2: Open auditions for The Karma Dance Project, noon, new dance company welcomes dancers of all backgrounds (ballet, jazz, hip hop & modern), ages 9 & up, to educate the community regarding dance & music through performances, lecture demos in schools & performances of classics such as Peter and The Wolf, plan to participate in abbreviated class & learn combo, call to register.

Greater Waterbury Classic Concerts (GWCC) Scholarship Competition, Teikyo Post Univ MacDermid Hall Room 116, 800 Country Club Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-754-5590.

Oct 25: Application forms due for GWCC’s 7th Annual Music Scholarship Comeptition, all instrument & vocal students welcome, preliminary auditions are Oct 31, competition finals are then Nov 7, call for app forms & details.

Ridgefield Theatre Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850.

Seeking experienced directors & musical directors for 2005 season of mainstage productions, new play development staged reading programs & children’s theater workshops, send résumé to theater barn c/o PO Box 59, Ridgefield CT 06877) or TheaterBarn2005@aol.com; for addt’l info call phone # above or visit www.TheaterBarn.org.

Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN), at Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Call 426-0253, 426-1933.

Nov 13: Spaces available for annual SNAN Christmas Fair, fee is $25, organizers seeking persons to sell arts, crafts & collectibles, call for details & reservations.

Waterbury Chorale, United Methodist Church, Main St, Watertown. Call 860-274-8284.

Sept 27: Chorale seeking experienced singers, first rehearsals of season open, rehearsals at Watertown church listed above, performances planned in Dec of Rutter’s The Magnificat & familiar Christmas music will be at Waterbury’s Palace Theatre, contact Margaret Czarsty for details.

 

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Sept 25: Draiocht at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $5 children, performance by traditional Irish music duo (Michael Rooney on Irish harp & concertina, June McCormack on flute) is sponsored by Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society; 203-256-8453.

Sept 26: “The Intimate Cantate,” St Joseph Church, 8 Robinson Ave, Danbury, 4 pm, tickets $20 adults, $10 students & seniors, $30 families, performance by Fanfare Consort w/ guest Jay White (former Chanticleer member) will offer modern-day premieres of cantatas by Alessandro Melani (1639-1703), written for high voice (castrato), clarion (valveless baroque trumpet), 2 violins & basso continuo, also lecture/demo that will incl explanations of the music & a comparison of the historical instruments & their modern counterparts; 203-258-9103.

Sept 27: Guitar-Flute Recital at WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8pm, free adm (donations accepted & will benefit WestConn Child Care Center), WCSU music professors Dr Kerry Walker on flute & Andrew Lafreniere on guitar will perform works of Guiliani, Faure, Piazzolla, Castelnuovo-Tedesco & Ibert; 837-8530.

Sept 28: “Love & Knishes: Kayte Devlin Batter,” Walzer Family Jewish Community Center, 444 Main St North, Southbury, noon, sugg donation $8 adults, $5.50 seniors, lunch by Chef Nancy Stokes at noon, then program at 1 featuring singer-guitarist Kayte Devlin Batter playing cabaret & show tunes, reservations ASAP; 267-3177 x105.

Oct 2: 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.

Oct 2: Ophelia & Her Band at WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7:30 pm, tickets $25-$35 adults, $10 children, free for seniors & children ages 8 & under, performance by contemporary eclectic concert pianist will be followed by reception w/ musicians, audience asked to bring canned goods to donate to local shelter; 877-748-7487.

Oct 11: Acoustic Celebration: Mary Gauthier, Temple Shearith Israel, 46 Peaceable St, Ridgefield, 7 pm, tickets $15/adv, $18/door, third performance in Ridgefield within past year continues celebration of Filth & Fire, named NY Times #1 Independent Album of the Year (Jan 2003); 203-431-6501.

McLaughlin Vineyards, Albert’s Hill Rd, Sandy Hook. Hours: daily 11 am-5 pm. Call 426-1533.

“Garden Jazz,” Sun through Oct 10, 1-4 pm rain or shine, $10 (reservations a must), enjoy intimate jazz performance & wine tastings in garden overlooking vineyards, non-alcoholic drinks also available.

Merryall Center for the Arts, Chapel Hill Rd (off Merryall Rd), New Milford. Call 860-354-7264.

Performances 8:30 pm (unless noted), tickets $15, season tickets available: Sept 25, Shrdlu Sextet, violins, trombone, guitars, bass, harmonicas, sheng & more.

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: Oct 3, Antares Ensemble (violinist Vesselin Gellev, cellist Rebecca Patterson, clarinetist Garrick Zoeter & pianist Eric Huebner), works of Bacri (Im Volkston, Divertimento No. 2, Op. 43), Beethoven (Trio in B-flat, Op. 11) & Messiaen (Quatuor Pour la Fin du Temps).

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: Oct 1, “The Live Music Project: Music Old and New,” tickets $25, works of Bach, Haydn & Live Music Project co-founder Daniel Smith, season-opening concert by Quick Center’s resident conductor-less orchestra; Oct 2, The Paul Taylor Dance Company, tickets $30-$40, evening of modern dance continues troupe’s 50-year anniv, Art-To-Heart Q&A w/ members of company will follow performance.

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

Concerts 8 pm unless noted: Oct 2, La Orquestra Sinfonica Infantile y Juvenil de Medellín, 4 pm, tickets $20 & $25, performance by award-winning youth orchestra comprised of 40 11-to-18-year old children will incl lively Latin American & classical music, also stories of what is is like living in one of poorest neighborhoods of Colombia’s most dangerous city & how music has helped them escape the violence & lure of trafficking, also Latin American foods will be served.

Films _________________

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

Sept 24-30: Garden State (R), daily 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat 5:15 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:50, 3 & 5:15 pm; Red Lights (NR), daily 7:15 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 5 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:40, 2:50 & 5 pm; Seducing Dr Lewis (R), daily 7 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 4:20 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:20 pm; What The Bleep Do We Know !? (NR), daily 6:50 & 9:15 pm, mat Fri 4:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:30 & 4:10 pm.

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

Alliance Française “Cinémathèque” screenings, 2 pm, free: Sept 26, La Piscine.

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

Sept 24-30: Fahrenheit 9/11 (R), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Oct 10, “An Hour of Fun: Trevor the Games Man,” 2 pm, family program for ages 3 & up will teach participants who to use the simplest objects in fun & interesting ways.

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

Phantom of The Opera (kid-friendly version, told from point of mice living under the stage of Paris Opera House), Oct 2-30, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

Miscellaneous ___________

Sept 24-25: NUMC Annual Craft Fair, Newtown United Methodist Church, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, Fri 5-8 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, original watercolors by Rev Terry Pfeiffer, also professional crafters, homemade baked goods, theme baskets, silent auction, children’s events & more, partial proceeds to benefit NUMC’s Bolivia Project; 426-9998.

Sept 25: Annual Fall Fair & Tag Sale, Christ the King Lutheran Church, 85 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6 (at Tory Lane), Newtown, 9 am-3 pm, handmade crafts by church members and friends of congregation, fresh baked goods, tag sale; 426-6300.

Sept 25: Oxford Historical Society Historic Homes & Churches Tour, 10 am-2 pm, tickets $15/advance, $20/day of, tour incl 5 homes (incl 1 on Nat’l Register Historic Places) & 2 churches, maps incl w/ ticket purchase, call for details, mail reservations due by Sept 18; 203-888-4159, 203-466-2677.

Sept 25: Quilt Show & Afternoon Tea at St Thomas’ Episcopal Church, 95 Greenwood Ave, Bethel, 2-5 pm, $5 adm (includes refreshments), door prizes; 743-1494, 748-2089.

Sept 25: Basile & Jimmy “Super Greek” Santis at WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, tickets $30 adults, $20 students w/ ID, free ages 12 & under, comedy routines w/ Greek slant, ticket sales will benefit Chapter 90 Macricostas Scholarship Fund; 837-8486, 860-350-2700.

Sept 25: The Tricky Part at First Congregational Church, 6 Kirby Rd, Washington Green, 8 pm, tickets $25, one-man performance by Broadway veteran Martin Moran of his Obie Award-winning play, note: adult subject matter, proceeds will benefit Shepaug Friends of Music; 860-210-7895.

Sept 25-26: 4th Annual Applefest Crafts Fair, at Blue Jay Orchards, Plumtrees Rd, Bethel, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm; 261-2414.

Sept 26: Open House at Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 10 am-4 pm, free admission to headquarters of Newtown Historical Society, ongoing demos in basketmaking by Jody Hyman & display of her finished baskets in varying styles, tours by costumed docents available; 426-5937.

Sept 26: Alliance Française of Northwestern CT Cafe-Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, anyone interested in practicing their reading, pronunciation & conversation skills (or just listen in) in French invited to join conversation, topic selected by session leader, BYO beverages/snacks; 203-266-5588.

Sept 26: Scottish Heritage Sunday, Valley Presbyterian Church, 21 West Whisconier Rd (next to Whisconier Middle School), Brookfield, worship service at 10 am, Scottish festivities to follow incl performance by Highland Pipers, children’s Celtic games, Scottish food & more; 775-2624.

Sept 26: Open Garden Day at Beatrix Farrand Garden/ Promisek at Three Rivers Farm, 694 Skyline Ridge Rd, Bridgewater, 10 am-4 pm, $5 suggested donation, public invited to visit grounds that have been restored to original 1921 design created by Beatric Farrand; 860-354-1788.

Sept 26: Easton Craftsmen’s Guild First Annual Fine Artist & Demonstrating Craftsmen Show, Fireman’s Field, Center Rd at Rte 59, Easton, 10 am-5 pm, free adm, 50+ hand selected exhibitors incl 20 demos (weaving, pottery making, silversmithing, furniture making, broom making, wood carving & more), parade of puppets at noon, also refreshments & live music all day, artisan raffle, proceeds to benefit The CT Burn Camp for Children; 445-1953.

Sept 26: PHD’s Fall Classic Psychic Fair, Maron Hotel (former Radisson), Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 11 am-6 pm, free adm, card & palm readers, aura photos, vendors, energy balancing & more.

Sept 26: Author Diane Monti-Catania at The Burnham Library, Rte 133, Bridgewater, 3 pm, free discussion by mother & author Monti-Catania (For You, My Sons: A Dialogue Between Mothers and Sons) concerning her book that helps children make good choices when faced w/ issues incl love, hate, good manners & more; 860-354-6937.

Sept 26: “You Are The Light Of The World: Acknowledge and Live Your Divinity Within,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free discussion led by Tully Moss will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Sept 27-29: The Wings of Freedom Tour at Waterbury-Oxford Airport, Christian St (off Rte 188), Oxford, Mon 3-5:30 pm, Tues 9 am-5:30 pm, Wed 9 am-1 pm, $8 adults, $4 ages 12 & under, walk-through tours of B-17 Flying Fortress & B-24 Liberator, both WWII planes on living history tour; 203-938-2383, 860-276-0749.

Sept 30-Oct 4: Annual Brookfield Library Fall Book Sale, Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, Thurs 10 am-5 pm ($10 adm Thursday only; free remainder of sale), Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, Mon 11 am-3 pm; 775-6241.

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

Oct 2: 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.

Oct 2: Safe Haven Southbury House Tour, 10 am-4 pm, tickets $18/advance, $20 day of, self-guided tour of 6 homes in Southbury incl that of author Gladys Taber, box lunches available for $8, proceeds will benefit victims of domestic violence & sexual assault in Southbury & surrounding towns; 203-575-0388.

Oct 2: Annual Roast Beef Dinner, Jesse Lee United Methodist Church, 25 Flat Rock Rd, Easton, begins 6 pm, $9 adults, $5 ages 12 & under, all-you-can-eat dinner of roast beef, mashed potatoes & gravy, green beans, dessert, soft drinks/coffee, proceeds will support local missions & community services; 203-372-8250.

Oct 3: Baseball Card & Sport Memorabilia Show, Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-3 pm, adm $3 adults, 99¢ ages 10 & under, special appearance by Baseball Hall of Famer Monte Irvin (12-1 pm), also dealers from 5 states w/ sport cards, vintage cards, new sets, wax boxes, memorabilia, collectibles & more; 364-1209.

Oct 3: 24th Annual Flanders Nature Center Fall Festival, Flanders at Church Hill roads, Woodbury, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, $6 adults, $3 ages 6-12, free ages 5 & under, songs & stories by former State Troubadour Tom Calanan, Magician Peter James, arts & crafts, reptiles show by Curious Creatires, hay rides, kids crafts & games, hikes around center & more; 203-263-3711.

Oct 3: Shelton Day Festival, Howe Ave, Center St & White St blocks, Shelton, 10 am-5 pm, continuous live entertainment incl live bands, singing & dancing, also 140 booths w/ food, crafts, interactive activities, face painting, balloon animal sculptures, rock-climbing wall & more; 203-924-9532.

Oct 3: “Attaining Your Potential: Meditation & Brain Development,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free discussion by center’s director & co-founder Janaki Pierson will cover how a daily meditation practice affects the brain & can help anyone reach their potention, followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

Oct 4: “BookTalk: A Talk on Optimum Health,” Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free discussion led by Gary Steionman concerning 8 Weeks To Maximum Health & Eating Well for Optimum Health, both written by Andrew Weil, MD; 264-1716, 262-6123.

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: Sept 24, Family Night Hike, 7:30-9:30 pm, RSVP mandatory, 20 participants max will take a walk in the dark (no flashlights!) to listen for calls of owls & learn about other nocturnal animals; Sept 25, Fungi Walk, 10 am-1 pm, join field naturalist & fungi expert Bill Yale for a 3-hour journey into forest world of mushrooms & fungi, discover the diff varieties that inhabit the Bent/Center; Sept 29, Adult Nature Walk, 9-11 am, leisurely guided walk focusing on center’s rich natural history, current migrating birds, late summer wildflowers & butterflies in their garden; Oct 2, Bird Banding Demo, dawn-10:30 am, master bander Mark Szantyr will capture migrant & resident birds in mist nets, fit them w/ lightweight leg bands & then release them, suitable for all ages, weekly until Nov 13.

Bellamy-Ferriday House & Garden, 9 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem. Hours: Wed, Fri-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 203-266-7596.

1754 home of Bethlehem’s first minister complemented by outbuildings, 18th C apple orchard & 1915 formal parterre garden is open for summer tours (Wed, Fri-Sun 11 am-4 pm), adm $5 adults, $2 ages 18 & under.

Special Events: Sept 25, Historic Garden Walk Series: Heritage Fruit & Nut Trees, 3 pm, $5.

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

Programs free unless noted: Sept 25, Intermediate Computer Class, 9 am-noon, $10 (registration required), Dan Tannenbaum will focus class on email, also sending & receiving attachments; Sept 29, blood pressure screenings, 10 am-noon, free screenings by registered nurse, no appt needed; Sept 29, “The Intrepid Travelers: Wild China,” 7:30 pm, Dr & Mrs Clark return w/ tales of their recent trip to the remote mountains of Guizhou Province; Sept 30, Winning Teens, 7 pm, program by author & motivational speaker Rob Garofalo based on his book A Winner by Any Standard: A Personal Growth Journey for Every American Teen.

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: Sept 24, “The Eye of Form,” art lecture & slide show by Tycho Flore will offer images reflecting the geometry & symbolism in his work; Oct 15, “Paris, Parts and Polyptychs” by Christopher Clapp.

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

Sept 25, pottery demonstration, 11 am-3 pm, adults $5, children $3, primitive technologist Jeff Kalin (Cherokee) will create hand-built pottery using traditional techniques, finished works will also be on display & available for purchase; Oct 2, “The Archaeology of The Courage of Sara Noble,” 2 pm, $5 (RSVP preferred; CT educators can earn .1 CEU), program by Dr Russell G. Handsman, who led 1992 archaeological excavations along Housatonic River; Oct 3, IAIS Archaeology Dig, 11 am-3 pm, $5 adults, $10/family of 3 (RSVP required, CT educators can earn .4 CEU per day), join IAIS director of research Dr Lucianne Lavin for archaeology dig at a site in New Milford to explore an unusual land form that may be cultural, dig will also run Oct 10, rain date Oct 24.

Kismet, programs at Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 748-3125.

Dinner programs 4th Sat/month, $35/adv, $40/door, reservations required: Sept 25, program & dinner at Union Buffet, 60 Newtown Rd (Route 6 Plaza), program by guest speaker Dawn Cloud (holistic psychotherapist, resident herbalist & founder of CT Herbalist Guild).

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: Sept 25, Airline Bike Trail, East Hartford, hike, bike or roller blade (leader is Ann Kozar, 374-6679); Oct 2, Bear Mountain Loop, a tough 6-mile hike (leader is Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); Oct 9, Lake Waramaug, park at the Ranger Station (leader is Claire Sivacek, 744-0086).

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.

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: Sept 29, Liz Robinson (sophomore at Nonnewaug High School, Woodbury, & slam poet who has been writing for as long as she can remember); Oct 6, Bob Holman; Oct 13, Rich Hemmings.

Theatre ______________

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

The Food Chain, through Sept 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15; note: adult comedy w/ strong language & sexual content (not for children).

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

Guys and Dolls, Sept 29-Oct 31 (opening night Oct 6), curtain Tues & Sun 7 pm, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $35-$65; Sept 30, Backstage with The Artistic Director, 7 pm, pre-performance discussion w/ Gordon Edelstein & director Kim Rubenstin; Oct 12, Talk-Back Tuesday, post-performance discussion w/ cast & creative team; Oct 19, Talk-Back Tuesday, post-performance discussion w/ cast & creative team; Oct 24, Sunday Symposium, post-matinee panel discussion of artists & scholars on issues related to the play; Oct 26, Talk-Back Tuesday, post-performance discussion w/ cast & creative team.

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

Light Up The Sky, through Sept 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Sept 19 & 25) 2 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & students, cabaret style seating (OK to bring in food & beverages, doors open one hour before show).

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

Woody Guthrie’s American Song, through Sept 25, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 3 pm, tickets $18 adults, $16 seniors & students; Sept 19, guest musician Larry Deming (fiddle) will be joining My Dad’s Truck for matinee show.

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

Medea, Sept 24-Oct 23, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Oct 10 only) 2 pm, tickets $15; special Thurs eve shows, all 8 pm – Sept 30, Pay-What-You-Want performance; Oct 7, 14 & 21, performances for area students, tickets $10.

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

The Art of Dining, Oct 5-Nov 16, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Oct 31 only) 2 pm, tickets $15 evenings, $12 mat.

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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.