Antiques Shows______

Feb 14-15: 25th Anniv Westport Antiques Show, Bedford Middle School, 88 North Ave, Westport, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $8, 70+ booths, free parking, proceeds benefit Staples High School student radio station; 203-222-2259.

Feb 15: Antiques & Collectibles Show, Naugatuck High School, 543 Rubber Ave, Naugatuck, 9:30 am-4 pm (no early birds), adm $3, 60+ dealers; 203-723-2588.

Feb 22: 38th Annual Tolland Antiques Show, Tolland High School, Old Cathole Rd, Tolland, 10 am-4 pm (early buying 8:30, $15), adm $5, 70 exhibitors, proceeds benefit Tolland Hist Society; 860-872-7716.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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.

*(new show) Feb 13-March 20, “Tickle My Fancy,” nude self-portraits & “other curiosities” by member & guest artists; Feb 13, opening reception, 7-10 pm.

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 Koepkne Meeting Room (lower meeting room): Through Feb 27, “Antique Tools,” recent paintings by Stephanie Adam.

On library’s main floor: Through Feb 29, “Cityscapes & Landscapes: Oils & Watercolors by Ruth Newquist,” SoHo street scenes & New England landscapes by the Newtown artist Ruth Newquist.

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.

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

Through Feb 29, “Shadows & Strings: Puppetry Around the Globe,” puppets from around the globe offer a look at the wide range of styles & cultures where the ancient art of puppetry has emerged & thrived over the centuries.

Connecticut Historical Society, One Elizabeth St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 860-236-5621.

Through April 25, “Heroes, Heartthrobs & Horrors: Celebrating Connecticut’s Invention of the American Comic Book,” story behind CT’s invention of the comic book through rare comic books & memorabilia, learn how comic books are made, create-your-own stations & dress-up for children; March 11, “How The Jews Created the Comic Book,” 7 pm, incl w/ museum adm (call for reservations), comedian & writer Arie Kaplan will offer program exploring the backstory of Superman & other legends by Jews during early years of comic book industry.

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. Hours: (Jan-March) Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm, (April-Dec) Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 778-8337.

Permanent exhibitions on railroad history (museum is along old New Haven RR line & housed in former Danbury station & railyard), also original & restored rolling stock incl a New Haven RR Mack FCD railbus, Alco RS-1 diesel locomotive, fully operating turntable, etc. (see Misc calendar for ongoing programs schedule)

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 Feb 24, abstract line drawings & portraits by Newtown-based artist Gisela; Feb 21, artist’s reception (public welcome), 1-3 pm.

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

Through Feb 22, “Hearts & Flowers,” group show for winter blues w/ works by gallery members.

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Hours: Mon-Thurs 12-5 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 203-365-7650.

Through March 4, “Uncommon Portraits, Uncommon Views,” curator Dr Deborah Frizzell has selected works by 4 ground-breaking contemporary artists to help viewers expand viewers’ perceptions of the limits of portraiture – works of June Ahrens, Ellen K. Levy, Debra Pearlman & Duston Spear.

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 Feb 18, “Etchings, Watercolors & Oils: Robert Andrew Parker,” watercolor portraits by Mr Parker, also works in other mediums.

*(new show) Feb 21-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; Feb 21, oening reception, 2-4 pm.

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.

*(new show) 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” will present 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.

“The History of Presidential Elections,” permanent exhibition offers massive display of small campaign artifacts & hundreds of contemporary graphics & photo images to illustrate the relationship between politics & noteworthy events & trends in US history.

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

Through Feb 15, “Annual All Members’ Show,” featuring 1-2 works by each RGA member.

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.

Weir Farm National Historic Site, 735 Nod Hill Rd, Wilton. Burlingham House Visitor Center Hours: Thurs-Sun 9:30 am-4 pm. Call 203-834-1896.

Through Feb 29, “Artists at Weir Farm: Eugenio Espinosa,” myth-like reflections of Mr Espinosa’s childhood memories created w/ acrylic paint on mylar & wood.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Brookfield Theatre for the Arts, Rte 25 (behind library), Brookfield Center. Call 775-0023.

Feb 16-17: Auditions for The Fantasticks, 7-9 pm, open to ages 16 & up, be prepared w/ 1 ballad & 1 upbeat song & to read from script, show will run weekends April 16-May 8.

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.

Connecticut Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury CT 06704-0053. Call 203-584-2857.

Feb 27: Deadline for entries in annual Lynn DeCaro Poetry Competition, no fee to enter, cash prizes ($75, $50, $25) for top 3 choices, open to CT high school students, all subject matter accepted, up to 3 poems can be entered, entries must be typed on white 8 ½ x 11-inch paper, call for full details or send SASE to address above.

Danbury Symphony Orchestra, at Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury CT 06810. Call 748-1716.

Feb 23: Postmark deadline for materials, greater Danbury composers who have written music for orchestra invited to submit symphonic works for possible readings by DSO, send résumé, copy of full score, one representative instrumental part, performance history of work (incl any readings or performances; preference will be given to unpublished works that have yet to receive professional performance) & recording (if poss) to DSO music director & conductor David Katz c/o music center.

New England Shakespeare Festival, Meriden.

March 7: Auditions by appt (note this is also date that photos & resumes must be postmarked by) for summer touring production of Richard III, seeking non-Equity actors all ages & types, non-traditional casting, all roles open, arrive prepared w/ 2-minute classical monologue (comedic or dramatic) & be prepared to read, send photos & resumes to CT Auditions, NESF Casting, PO Box 1754, Meriden CT 06450, location of auditions will be given when contacted for appt. Details at www.NewEnglandShakespeare.org.

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 39 (behind firehouse, on the hill), Sherman Center. Call 860-354-8543, 860-354-6720.

Feb 15-16: Auditions for Arthur Miller’s A View from The Bridge, 7-9 pm, all roles open, rehearsals to begin March 1, production to run weekends April 16-May 8, contact director John Taylor (first phone # above) or producer Ellen Burnett (second #) for details.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Feb 14: “More Butterflies on The Elephant, with Special Tributes for Lovers,” Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, 3-5 pm, free performance by new singers & veteran members of Danbury Opera will offer eclectic mix of operatic & theater music w/ piano, post-performance reception w/ singers; 203-938-4136.

Feb 15: St Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraiser, Molly Darcy’s Irish Pub, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 2-7 pm, $15, appetizer buffet (3-6 pm), live entertainment by Merry Ploughboys, MacTalla, The Highland Rovers, Celtic Cross Pipe & Drum and Tipperary Knights, all proceeds will benefit Greater Danbury Ancient Order of Hibernians in presenting parade next month; 749-0863.

Feb 15: Regimental Brass Quintet of The USMA Band at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free performance will open library’s Winter-Spring 2004 Concert Series, reception w/ musicians follows performance; 775-6241 x104.

Feb 15: “The Music of Jerome Kern: Pianist James Pegolotti,” Temple Sholom, 122 Kent Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, 4 pm, free adm, performance by Mr Pegolotti will incl piano selections, video clips & commentary to trace the importance of the music of the Jewish-American composer credited w/ bridging the stylistic gap between European operetta tradition & American musicals to develop lyrical song; 860-354-4488.

Feb 22: “Journey To Immortality: A Tribute to Frederic Chopin,” Teikyo Post University’s MacDermid Hall, 800 Country Club Rd, Waterbury, 3 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students, $5 ages 12 & under, winners of Greater Waterbury Classic Concerts’ music scholarship competitions will play interludes in a narration w/ slides led by pianist & music teacher Zoya Kalmanovsky, audience welcome to join musicians for post-performance reception; 203-754-5590.

Feb 22: Organist Frederick Teardo at St John’s Church, Rte 47, Washington Green, 4 pm, tickets $15, program of works by Stanford (Fantasia & Toccata in D minor), Howells (Psalm Prelude, Set II, #2), J.S. Bach (Toccata, Adagio & Fugue, BWV 564), Hampton (“Lullaby” from Suite #2) & Duruflé (Suite pour orgue), 860-868-2527.

Feb 28: Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $15, singles & couples welcome, free dance lesson at 8, performance by American rhythm stars Felipe & Carolina Telona at 9:30, dancing to selections by DJ (George Smith), complimentary snacks, reservations suggested; 203-374-7308.

Hartford Symphony Orchestra, The Bushnell, 166 Capitol Ave, Hartford. Call 860-246-6807.

Feb 19, “Brahms the Romantic,” 7:30 pm, tickets $33 & $44, performance of Brahms’ Third Symphony & Mahler’s orchestration of Schubert’s “Death & The Maiden” quartet; Feb 26, “Rush Hour Classics: The Passions of the Romantics,” 6:30 pm, tickets $33 & $41, featured soloist Adina Aaron will perform Barber’s Knoxville: Summer of 1915, program will explore passionate soul-searching of leading composers of Romantic Era through Schubert’s Octet in F (Scherzo), Dvorák’s Serenade in D minor for Winds & Wagner’s Siegfried Idyll.

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: Feb 22, The Pacific Quartet, works of Beethoven (Quartet in E-flat Major, Opus 74 “Harp”), Hindemuth (Quartet, Opus 22) & Mendelssohn (Quartet in D Major, Opus 44, #1).

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: Feb 20, Les Ballet Trockadero de Monte Carlo, all-male dance company performs parodies of classical works, followed by Q&A w/ company members; Feb 27, Tony Kenny’s Revue, 7:30 pm, tickets $25, performance by 18 singers, dancers & comedians from Jury’s Hotel in Dublin will be complemented by 75-member Gaelic American Glee Club’s unique interpretation of traditional Irish songs, proceeds to benefit Fr John M. Conlisk Scholarship at Fairfield Univ.

Films________________

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

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

“Foreign Film Series: Newtown a la Cannes,” screenings 7:30 pm, free: Feb 26, Inch’ Allah Dimanche (in French w/ subtitles), also Pepe Donquart’s short film Black Rider.

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

Feb 13-19: Peter Pan (PG), daily 7 & 9:05 pm, mat Sat-Thurs 1 & 4 pm.

Western CT State University/Student Center, 181 White St (midtown campus), Danbury. Call 837-8486.

Through Feb 27, 8th Annual Festival of African Films: Feb 19, Ndeysaan (Oh, Life!), 1 pm (in Wolof w/ subtitles); Feb 20, Ndeysaan (Oh, Life!), 7:30 pm (see Feb 19); Feb 25, Thunderbolt, 1 pm (in English, Ibo & Yoruba w/ subtitles); Feb 27, Thunderbolt, 7:30 pm (see Feb 25).

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

Stagestruck Film Series, at Whitney Humanities Center, 53 Wall St, free screenings of films related to current exhibition at YUAG, 7 pm: Feb 21, Singin’ in the Rain (1952, 103 min).

For Kids & Families ________

Feb 14: Sleeping Beauty performed by Housatonic Valley Waldorf School early childhood teachers, at Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Newtown, 10 am, free performance of Grimm fairy tale should be suitable for ages 3-6; 364-1113.

Feb 16: “A Portrait of Lincoln,” The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 2 pm, $5, one-man show by actor Lewis Dubé will bring President Abraham Lincoln to life w/ focus on Lincoln’s presidency & his humor, appropriate for ages 10+; 203-753-0381 x10.

Feb 22: “Creativity Safari: At Home in Waterbury,” The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 2-4 pm, adm $5 adults, free ages 12 & under, family rates available, explore museum’s current exhibition to create a “new neighborhood” project w/ workshop leader Margaret DeMarino; 203-753-0381 x10.

Barnes & Noble Booksellers, Danbury Square, 15 Backus Ave, Danbury. Call 730-2733.

Free public programs: Feb 15, Winnie the Pooh Tea Party & Character Visit, 3 pm (registration required), ages 2-6 invited to tea party w/ A.A. Milne’s loveable bear; Feb 19, Presidents’ Storytime, 11 am, special time will center around new picture book The Boy Who Looked Like Lincoln by Mike Reiss.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Feb 28, “When I Was Built” workshop, 1 pm, free (but limited to 15 participants), children ages 7-10 can join Newtown author & illustrator Jennifer Thermes for story-making & illustration project based on an old object for their home (old tool, toy, photo, diary, etc).

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: Feb 25, book discussion for Hippolyta and The Curse of The Amazons, 4:30 pm, one-hour discussion concerning second book in Jane Yolen’s “Young Heroes” series.

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

Zoo adm is $7 adults, $5 ages 3-11 & seniors, free ages 3 & under, programs incl w/ adm: Feb 16-20, Cupid’s Corner School Break Program, 2 pm daily, 45-min programs for children K-elementary school age children & families will feature diff animal each day, introduce children to live animals, stories & facts, presented in Professor Beardsley’s Research Station & included w/ zoo adm.

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

Rumpelstiltskin, through Feb 29, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50, group discounts available.

Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Ave, Ridgefield. Call 203-438-5795.

Saturday Series For Children, performances 11 am & 2 pm, tickets $15 (series discounts available): Feb 21, Buffalo Soldier, Theatre IV production of Civil War story adapted for children’s understanding done in honor of Black History Month, post-performance discussion w/ actors & all children will receive playbill w/ reference info on the era depicted on stage.

Miscellaneous ___________

Feb 14: CT chapter/Romance Writers of America meeting, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St/Rte 6, Southbury, 11 am, open to non-members, local chapter of RWA meeting will include guest speaker Joanna Novins (CT resident, CTRWA member & Berkley/Jove author); 860-445-7167.

Feb 14: Valentine’s Day Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, WCSU Westside Observatory, Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, 6 pm, screening of planetarium show will be followed at 7 by telescope viewing of alignment of Venus, Mars & Saturn; 837-8672.

Feb 15: St Patrick’s Day Parade Fundraiser, Molly Darcy’s Irish Pub, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 2-7 pm, $15, appetizer buffet (3-6 pm), live entertainment by Merry Ploughboys, MacTalla, The Highland Rovers, Celtic Cross Pipe & Drum and Tipperary Knights, all proceeds will benefit Greater Danbury Ancient Order of Hibernians in presenting parade next month; 749-0863.

Feb 17: Western CT Bird Club meeting, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, social gathering 6:30 pm, program beings at 7, free & open to non-members, slide lecture on “The Birds of Israel” by Dr Robert DeCandido; 426-3091.

Feb 17: “Our Local Woodlands, 1850-2000: What Happened?” at Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave, Derby, 7:30 pm, free program by retired forester Skip Hobson will incl effects of agriculture, stone walls, charcoaling, sheep, fire, wind & timber harvesting on CT’s forests; also exploration of what land can be expected to yield in the future; 734-2513.

Feb 18: Housatonic Valley Paddlers Club meeting, CL&P Service Center, Barnabas Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, free & open to non-members, program by Michele Sorenson (certified ACA instructor) on paddling techniques & safety; 203-263-3281.

Feb 18: “Newtown’s Painted Ladies: Victorian Architecture in a Small New England Town,” The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 7 pm, free slide lecture by Town Historian Dan Cruson will illustrate Victorian architecture on Main Street, its definition & its incorporation into modern architecture; 426-8118.

Feb 18: “Hiking in The Astonishing Biodiversity of Madagascar,” Appalachian Mountain Club meeting (non-members welcome), Fairfield County Agriculture Center, Rte 6, Stony Hill section of Bethel, refreshments at 6:30 pm, slide program at 7:30 by Martin Torresquintero on the island’s biodiversity, architecture, legends & more, questions & discussion to follow; 426-8949, 203-438-2978.

Feb 18: “Open Visions Forum: Fareed Zakaria – Global Terrorism and The Future of The Middle East,” Fairfield Univ Quick Center, North Benson Rd, Fairfield, 7:30 pm, tickets $22 (discounts for students & seniors), editor of Newsweek International will speak as part of annual lecture series; 203-254-4000 x2726.

Feb 19: “The Current Status of The Women of Afghanistan,” WCSU Student Center Room 202, 181 White St, Danbury, 2-4 pm, free program by celebrated photographer & arts educator Shekaiba Wakili will incl personal perspective on women’s rights in post-Taliban Afghanistan & continuing problems in the region; 837-8453, 837-8486.

Feb 19: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, WCSU Westside Observatory, Lake Ave Extension, Danbury, 6 pm, screening of planetarium show will be followed at 7 by telescope viewing of Moon & other celestial objects; 837-8672.

Feb 20: PhD Psychic Fair, Holiday Inn, Newtown Rd/Rte 6, Danbury, 6-11:30 pm, free adm, card & palm readers, vendors; 470-1806.

Feb 20: CT Contacts Singles Dance Party, Colonial Tavern, Rte 67, Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15, dinner & dessert buffets, soft drinks/coffee/tea, dancing to mix by DJ, “dress to impress” (no jeans); 203-468-1144.

Feb 20-21: The Curse of The Hopeless Diamond, 10th Annual Ridgefield Theater Barn Murder-Mystery Dinner, at The Lounsbury House (Ridgefield Community Center), 316 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 7 pm, tickets $65, black tie optional, table w/ best detective intuition will win prize, hors d’oeuvres, buffet dinner, beverages & dessert surrounded during performance; 203-431-9850.

Feb 21: Hawleyville Volunteer Fire Company Game Dinner, Hawleyville Fire House, Hawleyville Rd/Rte 25 (behind post office), Newtown, 7 pm, tickets $25, proceeds benefit fire company; 270-4389.

Feb 21: Indoor Flea Market, Church of the Good Shepherd, Racebrook Rd (at corner of Shepherd La, betw Rte 34 & Post Rd), Orange, 8 am-2 pm; 203-934-4446.

Feb 21: Café Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, public invited to join members of Alliance Française of Northwestern CT for conversations in French, topics decided at beginning of program, BYO light refreshments, all levels of French speakers welcome; 203-263-4096, 262-0626.

Feb 23: “Black Women’s Civic Organizations,” Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 6 pm, free (pre-registration suggested), discussion led by Lillie Head will focus on the importance of civic organizations in community & the commitment their members have made, part of museum’s ongoing Black History Month activities; 203-753-0381 x10.

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: Feb 18, Adult Nature Walk, 9 am, join a Center naturalist for leisurely hike focusing on sanctuary’s rich natural history while looking for mammal tracks & wintering birds, bring snowshoes (if available) & binoculars; Feb 22, Sunday Afternoon at The Bent, 2-4 pm, moderate hiking (or snowshoeing & cross-country skiing, weather permitting), then visit the barn for hot cocoa & coffee.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave **temporarily at 137 Greenwood Ave (in building w/ Hauser Chocolate), Bethel. Call 794-8756.

Free public programs: Feb 24, “Preparing Your Beds for Planting,” 7 pm, free program by Eugene Reelik (Hollandia Nursery), registration encouraged.

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

Programs free unless noted: Feb 17, Mystery Book Group, 7 pm, discussion of Tony Hillerman’s Skin Walker, newcomers welcome; Feb 19, Evening Book Club, 7:30 pm, discussion of Dai Sijie’s Balzac and The Little Chinese Seamstress, newcomers welcome; Feb 26, Foreign Film Series: Newtown a la Cannes, 7:30 pm, screening of Inch’Allah Dimanche (in French w/ subtitles).

Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury. (Jan-March) Wed-Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 12-4 pm OR (April-Dec) Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 778-8337.

Wednesday Evening Events series, 7:30-8:30 pm, sm donation requested, programs follow weekly museum member meetings, programs as follows, call if inclement weather: Feb 18, “The River Line and Donner Pass” by Stan Madyda; Feb 25, “Nevada Northern, Herber Valley RR” by Dan Gallo.

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 Feb 19.

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

Dinner programs 4th Sat/month, $40, reservations required: next program Feb 28, Stony Hill Inn, Rte 6, Bethel.

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

Through Feb 28 (programs on Saturdays; also Sun, Feb 15, 22 & 29), “Wine, Food & Eagles” series, $50 (plus tips & gratuity, reservations mandatory), spend morning watching eagles at Bald Eagle Observatory in Southbury, take private tour of vineyard & then lunch at Compass (Main St South, Newtown).

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: Feb 14, #6 Reservoir, West Hartford (Idilko Gramling, 203-263-0086); Feb 21, Beardsley Park, Bridgeport (Rita Qubick, 268-4119); Feb 28, White Memorial Park, Litchfield (Betty Horton, 860-354-7526).

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.

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: Feb 25, watercolor program by Richard Ochs.

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.

Theatre ______________

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

A Funny Thing Happened on The Way To The Forum, Feb 20-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.

The Long Christmas Ride Home, through Feb 15, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $38-$55.

On Stage II: The Story, through March 14, curtain Tues & Sun 7 pm, Wed-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $40 & $55, call about discount offers; Feb 22, Sunday Symposium, post-matinee discussion; Feb 17, Feb 24, March 2, 9, Meet-the-Artists, post-evening performance talkbacks w/ members of the company; Feb 18, 19, 25, 26, March 3, 4, 10, 11, Audience Chats, post performance discussions.

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

The Sweepers, Feb 19-March 14, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50.

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

Crumbs from the Table of Joy, through Feb 15, curtain Tues-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $20-$33, student & senior discounts.

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

Fuddy Meers, Feb 20-March 20, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (March 7 only) 2 pm, tickets $15; Thurs, Feb 19, free preview/dress rehearsal for senior citizens, 8 pm; Thurs, Feb 26, Pay-What-You-Can night, 8 pm.

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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.