Antiques Shows       _________________________

Every Fri-Sun (year-round): Redwood Country Flea Market, 170 South Turnpike Rd, Wallingford, 6 am-2:30 pm, free adm & parking, 50-80 dealers; 203-269-3500.

Saturdays (through fall): Woodbury Flea Market, 44 Sherman Rd (Rte 64 near Rte 6), Woodbury, opens 7:30 am, free adm & parking, up to 42 vendors w/ emphasis on early items & antiques, also plants & flowers; 203-263-62147.

Sundays (through Nov 28): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2 pm (early buying 5:45, $20), adm $2, free ages 12 & under, leave pets home, vendors offer antiques, collectibles & misc, refreshments available; 508-265-9911.

May 8: 48th Annual Outdoor Ridgefield Antiques Market, Lounsbury House lawn, 316 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 10 am-5 pm rain or shine (outdoors & under tents), $7, free age 13 & under, proceeds to benefit Lounsbury House/Ridgefield Community Center; 914-273-4667 (914-589-1355 during show).

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places  ___________________________

Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St, Ridgefield; 203-438-4519.

Through May 30: “Adad Hannah: Masterpieces in Motion,” first solo US museum exhibition of Hannah’s work features selection of the artist’s recent videos created in relation to historical works of art incl Hieronymus Bosch’s “Garden of Earthly Delights,” Velázquez’s “Las Meninas” & Géricault’s mammoth “The Raft of the Medusa,” while paying homage to 19th Century entertainment of tableau vivant, where models held poses for sev minutes in order to stage a painting.

Through June 6: “Paying a Visit to Mary: 2008 Hall Curatorial Fellowship Exhibition,” work by both emerging & more established artists in a broad range of media incl performance, film, painting, sculpture & installation, all exploring a significant subject in current artistic practice: personal narrative & contemporary storytelling, curated by Maxine Kopsa (second recipient of the Hall Curatorial Fellowship).

Through June 6: “Jeanne Finley and John Muse: Sleeping Under Stars, Living Under Satellites,” site-specific video installation by the collaborative team Finley & Muse that utilizes multi-screen video projections to explore three profoundly different ways of keeping time, using the real working lives of 3 contemporary Ridgefield residents played off the lives of 2 local historical figures (18th Century hermit Sarah Bishop & a wandering vagrant from 19th Century known as “The Leatherman”).

Through June 6: “Jo Yarrington: Ocular Visions,” transformation of museum’s Leir Atrium to replicate a human eye through installation of floor-to-ceiling, full-color transparencies of photographs taken of the inside of the artist’s her eye.

Through June 13: “Tom Molloy,” recent sculptures, drawings & photographs created by the artist, who manipulates found materials & images “to explore the multivalency of symbols.”

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

Through May 23:  “Awareness – Ending Homelessness: An Exhibition of Photographs by Ronnie E. Maher.”

Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rtes 133 & 25), Brookfield Center; 740-8140.

Through May 31: vintage postcards showing Brookfield & area’s past from museum archives & private collection of George Franklin.

Danbury City Hall, 155 Deer Hill Ave, Danbury.

*(new show) Through June 3: “Tranquility,” oil paintings by Newtown artist Joanne Conant, who was inspired by quiet, peaceful moments shared with nature.

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

Through May 7: “Heartifacts,” unique, 3-D digitized mixed media paintings by Dave Pressler focusing on colorful heart images.

Through May 30: “Places of Rest,” photographs of nature & people taken in CT by John Ulatowski, each accompanied by original poetic verse by the photographer.

The Galleries at The Fraser-Woods School, 173 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown. Gallery hours by appt only; 203-3390 x312.

Through May 25: photographs by Mark W. Lyon from Washington, D.C. & paintings by Johnnie Kunanele & Sonia Mejia from Massachusetts.

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

Through May 10: “All Dolled Up,” unique, handmade spirit dolls by Newtown resident & artist Paula Brinkman.

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

Through April 30: “An Art Exhibit by Ojibway Artist Allan Madahbee,” folk art by Oxford resident who interprets Indian legends, spirituality & history through acrylic paints.

Mattatuck Museum Art & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury; 203-753-0381.

Through May 30: “Our Beautiful City – Vintage Postcards & Photographs of Waterbury,” turn of the century photos by amateur photographer Frederick Stone & vintage postcards that depict Waterbury at its zenith.

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

Through May 3: “Brush and Clay: Continuous Passion,” works by Aya Itagaki, whose art has evolved from calligraphy to Chinese painting to watercolors of flowers & poems, & friend & fellow artist Ann Mallory, who creates ceramics w/ “clean volumes & minimal surface decoration in order to generate a sense of well-being and serenity.”

Mocha Coffee House, 3 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook; 203-364-9200.

Through April 30: oil paintings by Suzanne Molineaux.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven; 203-432-5050.

Through April 25: “A Diorama Takes Shape: Bringing the Genius of James Perry Wilson to Life,” evolving exhibition featuring a Perry painting will offer visitors a behind the scenes look at the creation of a museum diorama as museum staff prepares plants & other foreground elements for future display.

Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Rd, Southbury; 203-262-0626.

Through April 28: “Multi-Media,” works by Paula Renee incl tapestries & dimensional paper constructions.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 800 Main St, Hartford; 860-838-4055.

Through May 30: “Reunited Masterpieces: From Adam and Eve to George and Martha,” paintings museum’s collection & from major schools of European art, which have been separated from their mates, temporarily rejoined through loaned works from around the world to allow a better appreciation of how the paintings were originally conceived and how the artists subtly adjusted one painting to complement the other.

Walsh Art Gallery, at Fairfield University, North Benson Rd, Fairfield; 203-254-4000, x 2969, 203-254-4242.

Through May 17: “Fairfield University’s Studio Art Junior-Senior Seminar Exhibition,” work Studio Art majors w/ emphasis on mentoring students to develop their own individualized projects through exploring a visual language of invention.

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

Through April 25: “Varieties of Romantic Experience: Drawings from the Collection of Charles Ryskamp,” 200+ drawings by British artists from the Romantic period w/ emphasis on consideration of the place of British art in a European milieu.

Through May 30: “Yale Student Guide Exhibition — Art In Focus: John Flaxman Modeling the Bust of William Hayley,” examination of George Romney’s group portrait of 1795 (depicting John Flaxman sculpting a monumental bust of the poet William Hayley, with assistance from Thomas Alphonso Hayley, Flaxman’s apprentice and Hayley’s son) & exploration of the 4 artists in the portrait to their media and to each other.

Through May 30: “Compass and Rule: Architecture as Mathematical Practice in England, 1500-1750,” examination of the role of mathematics in transformation of architectural design & the role of the architect through works of Inigo Jones, Sir Christopher Wren, et al.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven; 203-432-0600.

Through May 2: “Eero Saarinen: Shaping the Future,” first major exhibition to examine the architect’s wide -ranging career from 1930s-early 1960s, traveling exhibition features drawings, models, furniture, photographs, films & ephemera by one of the most prolific, unorthodox & controversial masters of 20th Century architecture.

Auditions, Juried Events     _________________

Newtown United Methodist Church, at Reed School, 3 Trades Lane, Newtown; 203-426-2336.

Oct 16: NUMC seeking applicants for its annual juried Fall Arts & Crafts Show, to run 10 am-4 pm at Reed School, approx 35 spaces available, jury process began in March & applications reviewed in order they are received (so apply ASAP), all work must be handmade, contact Debbie Stakel at above phone # or TheFair@NUMC.us.

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

May 9-11: Auditions for The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, young girls to be seen Sun 2-5 pm (roles for 12 girls, must look ages 12-16), adults Mon-Tues 7-9 pm (roles for 6 women ages 25-65 & 4 men ages 30-65), be prepared to read from script, to be directed by Jane Farnol, play by Jay Presson based on Muriel Spark’s novel to be presented July 9-31.

 

Concerts, Musical Events        _______________

April 25: “Hollywood or Bust!” by The CT Gay Men’s Chorus, at The Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield, 8 pm, $30-$35, parody & satire of approx 60 classic & cult movies, performances also April 24 in Norwalk, May 1 in New Haven & May 8 in Hartford (visit ctgmc.org for details); 800-644-2462.

April 30: Redstone Ridge at Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 7:30 pm, $10, free ages 12 & under, contemporary bluegrass, folk & Americana music by local band, light refreshments to follow; 203-426-9024.

May 1: 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.

May 1: Big Band Benefit at Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, $10, performance of popular Big Band & newer music by area musicians, also wine & cheese, light refreshments, proceeds to benefit music center; 203-748-1716.

May 2: Spring Gala Concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 2 pm, free performance of works ranging from opera & musical theater by celebrated regional musicians incl sopranos Gwynne Wittmann, Ann Martindale & Elizabeth Norton, pianist & baritone Richard Busch, concert pianists Margarita Nuller & Éric Trudel, and pianists Susan-Anthony Klein & Brianne Chasanoff will celebrate building becoming handicapped accessible, reservations suggested; 203-270-8293.

May 2: Sherman Chamber Ensemble at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free performance to incl works of Bach, Bolcom, de Falla, Villa Lobos, Mendelssohn, Piazzolla & Ibert, reception to follow; 203-775-6241.

May 2: “Broadway, Beethoven, et al” by Danbury Community Orchestra, Ives Concert Hall (WCSU midtown campus), 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, free performance by 75-pc orchestra to incl music from West Side Story, Phantom of the Opera & South Pacific, also Mozart pc w/ guest violinist Kendal Peterson & violist Adele Zitzman, suitable for all ages; 203-748-1716.

Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-574-4283.

Concerts at Naugatuck Valley Community College Fine Arts Center, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 8 pm, tickets $15-$40: May 8, “Enigmatic,” 8 pm, $15-$40, guest flutist Jessica Warren-Acosta, violist Carlos Boltes & guitarist Scott Hill will join WSO for program of works by Tchaikovsky, Salinas & Elgar.

For Kids & Families ______________________

April 24: Kids Earth Day at The Institute for American Indian Studies, 38 Curtis Rd, Washington, 12-2 pm, $15 ($5 adults/regular museum adm), join musician Mark Ingram to make musical instruments using recycled materials, for ages 7 & up (BYO empty oatmeal container, metal coffee can, plastic juice bottle if you have one — supplies will be available); 860-868-0518.

May 8: Dolly & Me Tea, South Britain Congregational Church parish house, 693 South Britain Rd (Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd), South Britain, 11 am-1:30 pm, tea sandwiches, sweets, tea & punch, also handmade items by The Knit Wits (church’s charitable knitters) for American Girl & other popular dolls, reservations required; 203-267-5312.

 

Miscellaneous ___________________________

April 24: Town Players Diamond Cabaret, Edmond Town Hall’s Alexandria Room, 45 Main St, Newtown, 7:30 pm (doors open 6:30), $30, dessert & coffee, live music by The Bob Lasprogato Trio, comic sketches from 1930s, scenes from Noel Coward’s Brief Encounters and sing-along will celebrate beginning of local theater group’s 75th anniversary season, guests invited to bring their dinner to enjoy prior to performances, dessert provided; 203-270-9144.

April 24: Guided River Walk, departure from Three Rivers Park, Jack’s Bridge Rd, Woodbury, 10 am rain or shine, free program led by Dick Leavenworth will incl history of the rivers & adjoining lands, children welcome, no dogs, hosted by Woodbury Open Space Strategy & Implementation Committee; 203-266-4651.

April 24: Seymour Public Library Monthly Book Sale, 46 Church St, Seymour, 10 am-noon; 203-888-3903.

April 24: Alliance Française of NW CT Cafe-Conversation, The Barn Club, 558 Main Street South, Woodbury, 10:15 am-noon, join AFNWCT members & others to read & discuss in French articles relating to French politics, society, culture & daily life; 203-263-4745.

April 24: Scrapbook Session & Fundraiser, St Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd (just off Rte 111), Monroe, 4-11 pm, $40 incl beverages, snacks & dinner, scrapbookers of all levels (incl beginners & digital scrapbookers) welcome, reservations requested by April 21; 203-268-4265.

April 25: Earth Day Celebration at The Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury, 12-4 pm, giant tag & bake sale, flea market; 203-577-2181.

April 25: “Traditional Teachers of Ancient Spiritual Wisdom: A Personal Experience,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free program by Sarita Valentine will be followed by group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

April 28: Women’s Night Out Spring Fashion Show, River Glen Health Care Center, 162 South Britain Rd/Rte 172, Southbury, 5-7 pm, free (reservations by April 26) evening of fashions from Dress Barn, jewelry & accessories from Gayle O’Neill Fine Jewelry, also women-oriented community & business reps, door prizes, refreshments incl chocolate fountain; 203-264-9200.

April 29: American Red Cross blood drive, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 1-6 pm, appointments available, walk-ins welcome; 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3453).

April 30: Hope For Haiti A Variety Show, The Blue Z  Coffee House, 127 South Main St, Newtown, 5-6:30 pm,  free (donations accepted), performances by Trinity Episcopal Church 5th & 6th Grade students, donations to benefit The Good Samaritan Rebuilding Fund; 203-426-9070.

May 1: 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.

May 1: Used Book Sale, Trumbull Library, 33 Quality St, Trumbull, 9 am-3 pm; 203-452-5197.

May 1: “The Nature of Love,” Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton, noon, free, local scholar, poet & volunteer Bonnie Tremante will discuss the love letters exchanged between artist Julian Alden Weir & his young fiancée Anna Dwight Baker while leading walk, registration required; 203-834-1896 x12.

May 1: 25th Annual Goods & Services Auction, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, 7 pm (preview begins 5:30), more than 100 items, refreshments also available, church is handicapped accessible; 203-748-6112.

May 1-2: Litchfield County Home & Leisure Show, CT Sports Arena, 32 Still River Dr, New Milford, Sat 11 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, $6 (kids free), local businesses w/ info, demos, etc on home renovation, remodeling, gardening, etc, also interactive booths, prizes & giveaways, vendors, partial proceeds to benefit Social Services of New Milford.

May 2: High Tea with Sydney Eddison & Kim Proctor, The Dana-Holcombe House, 29 Main St, Newtown, 3-5 pm, $20, readings by Ms Eddison from her new book (Gardening For A Lifetime), original drawings by Ms Proctor that were used in her book, then tea served by The Garden Club of Newtown, reservations required; 203-994-4849.

May 2: CT Choral Society Annual Fundraiser Auction, at Woodbury Senior-Community Center, 265 Main St So/Rte 6, Woodbury, 2:30-5:30 pm, $15, live entertainment, live & silent auctions, wine tasting & refreshments; 203-206-7186.

May 2: “Spiritual Evolution: Helping the Planet and Ourselves,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free discussion led by Janaki Pierson will be following by silent group meditation & chanting for world peace (free instruction available); 203-263-2254.

May 3: American Red Cross blood drive, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown, 8:30 am-6:15 pm, appointments available, walk-ins welcome; 800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3453).

May 3: “WWII: The Campaigns to Recapture the Philippines & Okinawa,” Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield Center, 7:30 pm, free presentation by US Army veteran Richard Jaccarino, who participated in the WWII campaigns; 203-740-8140.

May 5: Mattatuck Young Professionals Ambassador Collaborative Social Event, The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 5:30 pm, $10 ($5 museum members), Cinco de Mayo themed event will incl live music by Timmy Maia & guests, drinks & tapas, networking; 203-753-0381 x20.

May 7: Friday Night Family Dance, Stony Hill Firehouse, 59 Stony Hill Rd/Rte 6, Bethel, 7-9 pm, $5, $3 children/students, $15 max/family, calling by Patricia Campbell, music by The Reel Thing, contra, square & folk dancing, beginners welcome, wear comfortable shoes; 203-470-3790.

C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-4533.

April 25, Book Donation Day, 12-5 pm rain or shine, volunteers will be accepting donations of used books, DVDs, CDs, VHS tapes and LPs for library’s annual book sale in July, tax receipts available; April 28, “Literature and Life: James Joyce,” 7 pm, lecture by Mark Schenker will conclude exploration of the relationship between literature & life.

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

April 23-28: Avatar (PG-13), daily 7 pm, mat Fri-Sun 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: April 24, Weir Farm, Wilton, easy hike (Irene Juthnas, 203-268-2254 or Irene-juth@gmail.com); May 1, Tarrywile Park Yellow Trail, Danbury, 3.2 miles, moderate to strenuous hike (Sally Cox, 203-426-9903); May 8, Westmoreland Sanctuary, Bedford, N.Y. no dogs (Jim Steck, 845-621-5559).

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

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.

Society of Creative Arts of Newtown, Inc. (SCAN), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown; 203-426-6654.

May 1-9, 40th Annual SCAN Spring Juried Art Show, at C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St, annual juried event of works in oils, pastels, watercolors, acrylics, mixed media, graphics & sculpture in library’s lower meeting room, opening reception & awards ceremony May 2 (12-5 pm).

Programs 4th Wed/month, 1:30 pm, public welcome, artist demonstrations, refreshments: April 28, demo on working with pastels by Rae Smith.

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.

Treehouse Comedy Productions. Call 203-702-7577.

Shows at The Holiday Inn, 80 Newtown Rd, Danbury, 9 pm, $15 unless notes: April 24, Walt Willey (Jackson Montgomery from “All My Children”) headlining, Keith Anthony opening, 8:30 show, $19.50 ($40 VIP ticket & 6:30 pre-show party); April 30, Jim Florentine headlining, Mike Jacobs opening, $19.50.

Wednesday Night Poetry Series, at The Blue Z Coffee House, 127 South Main St, Newtown. Call 203-426-6242, 203-364-0631.

Open mic 7:30, featured poet follows: April 21, workshop on “the Seventeen” (new poem form), led by Mark McGuire-Schwartz; April 28, Lori Desrosiers.

Theatre   __________________________________

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

Enchanted April, April 23-May 15, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (May 2) 2 pm, tickets $20.

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

Move Over Mrs Markham, May 7-23, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $20, $10 ages 10 & under; note May 7 & 14 shows are benefits, contact box office for details.

Westport Country Playhouse, 25 Powers Court, Westport; 203-227-4177.

She Loves Me, through May 8, contact theater for curtain & ticket details.

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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, Associate Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 06470, or to shannon@thebee.com. Photos are welcome and can be black & white or color, but must be in sharp focus. Please call 203-426-3141 for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.