Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (through mid-Dec): 38th Season Woodbury’s Famous Antiques & Flea Market, 787 Main St South (Rte 6, near Rte 64), Woodbury, 7 am-1 pm, 150± vendors each week; 203-263-2841.

Sundays (through Dec 11): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $1; 508-896-1975.

April 1-2: 43rd Annual Manchester Antiques Show, Second Congregational Church, 385 North Main St, Manchester, Fri 11 am-8 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, adm $4.50; 860-649-7770.

April 2: Antique Answers: An Appraisal & Antiques Fair, Golden Hill United Methodist Church, 210 Elm St (at corner Elm, Lafayette & Golden Hill streets), Bridgeport, 9 am-3 pm, adm $5 adults, free ages 12 & under, experts will offer appraisals for antique & modern firearms & military accoutrements, clocks & watches, fine art, Oriental rugs & vintage jewelry, also workshops on starting a collection (10 am), organizing a book collection (11 am & 1 pm), clocks (noon) & costume jewelry (2 pm), refreshments; 203-336-0152.

April 2-3: 38th Annual Wilton Historical Society Antiques Show, Wilton High School Field House, 224 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $10, approx 75 dealers, also special exhibition of toys from society’s collection (w/ emphasis on recent gifts from Gemini Antiques & Stuart Horn); 203-762-7257.

April 10: Windham Antiques & Collectibles Show, Windham High School cafeteria, 355 High St, Willimantic, 10 am-3 pm (preview 9 am, $5); 860-456-2178.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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.

On library’s main floor — Through April 15: “Juxtapositions: Differing Interpretations of Divided Images – an exhibit of contemporary art quilts,” contemporary art quilts created by 15 members of The Scrapbag Quilt Artists.

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

*(new show) April 10-May 22: “How They Felt: Contemporary Feltmaking,” work by some of the country’s leading feltmaking artists & emerging feltmakers incl Beth Beede, Sharon Costello, Carol Cypher, Alexa Ginsberg, Chad Alice Hagen, Linda Brooks Hirschman, Thomas Horst, Jorie Johnson, Camille Ludlow, Gail Crosman Moore, Theresa May O’Brien, Karen Page, Cathy Rogers, Roz Spier, Pat Spark, Nicole Chazaud Telaar, Jeannie Thomma, Linda VanAlstyne, Chris White, & Lucy Zercher; April 10, curator’s gallery talk, 3 pm, guest curator & fiber artist Chris While will discuss history of feltmaking, how the material is made & how contemporary artists are using the material.

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) April 2-May 29: “Old Master Paintings from The Hascoe Collection,” 17th, 18th & 19th Century Ditch & Flemish paintings from a rarely viewed private collection.

Through April 10: “Great Women, Great Science,” family-friendly show invites visitors to explore the discoveries, the lives & work of 4 female pioneers in science – chemist & physicist Marie Curie, astronomer Annie Jump Cannon, geologist Inge Lehmann & geneticist Barbara McClintock – through hands-on activities, also personal objects, scientific instruments, photos, video clips & archival audio recordings.

City Lights Gallery, 37 Markle Court, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues 12-5 pm, Wed-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 11 am-2 pm & by appt. Call 203-334-7748.

Through April 2: “Eyenology,” photography by Michael Benson, Gayle Caro, Claudia Schechter, Tima Sommers & Yves Francois Wilton.

Through April 2: “In Celebration of Black History Month,” works by Tyrone Bush, Omaa Chukwurah Orezabo, Will Corprew, Michael Dunham & Amir Rashidd.

*(new show) April 8-May 22: “Emergency,” one-year anniversary show at gallery & frame shop will offer works by local artists Roland Becerra, Kelly Bigelow-Becerra, Janine Brown, Sarah French, Jeff Gall, Ann Holley, Carol Leskowitz, Tyson Skross, Allyson Smith, Jodiann Strmiska & Trevor Youngberg; April 8, opening reception, 5:30-8 pm.

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

Through April 10: “Madame Mootisse and Company,” landscapes & whimsical animal paintings featuring cows in vibrant colors & forms by the award-winning artist June Pierpont Webster; April 2, opening reception, 3-7 pm.

Miller Studio & Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Mon-Tues by chance or appt. Call 203-263-3939.

*(new show) April 1-May 5: “Life Imitated,” still lifes by Jean O’Brien & John Schieffer, each of whom has very different interpretations of the genre; April 2, opening reception, 4:30-6:30 pm.

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.

*(new show) April 2-May 16: “Home and Abroad,” oil paintings by Nicholas Halko incl landscapes of his CT home, images from foreign travel, still lifes & figure studies; April 2, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

River Glen Fine Arts Gallery (formerly Grey Horse Gallery), 3 Washington Ave/Rte 34, Sandy Hook. Hours: Tues 12-4 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am-4 pm. Call 270-1199.

*(new show) April 10-May 8, “New York Moments,” New York City-themed paintings by the Goshen-based artist Frank Federico; April 10, opening reception, 1-4 pm.

Paintings by Rainie Crawford, Frank Federico, Leslie Lillien Levy, Dick McEvoy, Alain J. Picard & Peter Seltzer, sculpture by Sterett-Gittings Kelsey.

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.

*(new show) April 5-May 15: “2005 Student Art Exhibit,” painting, sculpture, multimedia installations, drawings, photography & prints of student works as selected by 3-person jury; April 5, opening reception, 6-8 pm.

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) April 2-24: “Members’ Show 2005,” works by developing artists & longstanding gallery-represented members, works incl drawings, paintings in oil, acrylic & watercolor, plus sculpture & pottery; April 2, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

In Upstairs Gallery:

White Silo Farm & Winery, 32 Rte 37 East, Sherman. Spring Hours: Sat-Sun 11 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-355-0271.

*(new show) April 2-17: works by painter, fiber artist & beader Ninon deZara-Ronn, steel mobiles & freeform sculpture by James Hunter & organic works by Peggy Westphal; April 2, opening reception, 1-4 pm.

Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon & Fri 10 am-6 pm, Tues-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-762-3950.

*(new show) April 3-30: “Frances Joslin Gold Memorial Retrospective Exhibition,” retrospective of landscapes, collages, florals, still lifes & selection of portraits by Frances Joslin Gold, longtime member of Wilton community who passed away at age 90 last year, curated by artist’s daughter Susan Gold Purdy; April 3, opening reception, 11:30 am-1 pm.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

CT Poetry Society Al Savard Memorial Poetry Contest, c/o CT Poetry Society, PO Box 4053, Waterbury CT 06704-0053. Call 860-584-2857.

June 1: Postmark deadline for annual competition, open to CT poets, entry fee is $10 for up to 3 poems (payable to CT Poetry Society), cash awards ($100, $75 & $50) & publication in Long River Run II, poems must be original & unpublished, any form acceptable, no more than 40 lines, incl 2 copies of each poem & incl SASE for return, mark each copy The Al Savard Memorial Poetry Contest, send submissions to address above, contact Lorna Cyr for details.

Musicals at Richter, auditions at The Melrose School, 120 Federal Hill Rd, Brewster, N.Y. Call 748-6873.

April 1-3: Open auditions for 2005 season, Fri 7-10 pm, Sat 10 am-1 pm (ages 15 & under) & 2-6 pm (high school students & adults), Sun 1-5 pm, Mainstage productions to incl Into the Woods (June 16-July 2), Phantom (July 7-23) & The Sound of Music (July 28-Aug 13), prepare 2 Broadway showtunes (1 uptempo, 1 ballad) to show range, bring sheet music in your key & be ready to sing only 16 bars if necessary, be prepared to learn short dance combo, be prepared to read from script, also bring photo & résumé (stapled) if available; full details at www.MusicalsAtRichter.org.

April 2: Auditions for children & young performers, 10 am-1 pm, need children for The Sound of Music & Young Erik for Phantom, also young performers for Fairy Tale Theater, FTT auditioners do not have to sing but need to be prepared to read from script; full details at www.MusicalsAtRichter.org.

Newtown Youth Services, Edmond Town Hall Alexandria Room, 45 Main St, Newtown. Call 270-4335.

April 7 & 9: Auditions for annual NYS Talent Show, Thurs 3-6 pm, Sat 9-11 am, $5 registration fee, acts must be 2½ min or shorter, show will be May 13, 7 pm, at middle school.

Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850 (voice box 3).

April 11-12: Auditions for Stephen Sondheim’s Company, 7-10 pm, prepare uptempo Broadway tune & ballad (bring sheet music for both), be prepared to learn short pvw of dance/movement, rehearsals begin May 4, performances will be weekends June 24-July 23, director is Christopher Gladysz, visit www.TheaterBarn.org for full character breakdown.

 

Concerts, Musical Events ____

April 1-2: “Fly Me To The Moon” by WCSU Centerstage, Western CT State University’s Warner Hall, Fifth Ave (off White St/Rte 6), Danbury, 7:30 pm, $25 for dinner & show, $5 for show only, student cabaret; 837-8732.

April 2: “Kigata Concert for Children – Starring Red Grammer,” Christ Church Parish, Cross Highway, Redding, performances at 11 am & 4 pm, tickets $12, special fundraising concert by renowned children’s entertainer Red Grammer will benefit church’s adopted African elementary school in Kigata, Uganda; 203-358-2175.

April 2: Fontenay Chamber Players at WCSU’s Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $25-$100, performances by featured performers Maryly Culpepper (flute), Kathryn Taylor (clarinet) & Wendy Kerner Lucas (harp) will also have professional string quartet, program to incl Ravel’s Introduction & Allegro for Harp and Chamber Ensemble, also works of Bach, Bizet, Weber & Howard Hanson, also post-performance reception w/ performers, fundraiser for Hat City Music Theater; 746-2694.

April 2: Orchestra New England performs “Elvis Alive!” at Battell Chapel, Elm St at College St (opposite the green), New Haven, 8 pm, tickets $15-$30 (Student Rush, $5; night of concert only), James Sinclair will conduct ONE in Michael Daugherty’s Dead Elvis, w/ guest bassoonist Michael Breaux, also works of Mozart & Mahler (w/ guest soloist Judith Malafronte for “Rueckert Lieder”), port-performance reception; 800-476-9040.

April 3: “Freedom Live 2005,” Western CT State University’s Warner Hall, Fifth Ave (off White St/Rte 6), Danbury, 1 pm, free adm, variety show incl skits, live music & comedy routines by WCSU students will pay tribute to US military troops & their families, performance will be recorded & sent to soldiers serving overseas; 837-8257, 837-8486.

April 3: Pianist Miguel Campinho at Danbury Music Center, 256 Main St, Danbury, 3 pm, free performance will continue music center’s ongoing Young Artist Concert series, concert will be followed by question & answer session w/ Mr Campinho; 748-1716.

April 7: Child Care Cabaret, Western CT State University’s Warner Hall, Fifth Ave (off White St/Rte 6), Danbury, 7:30 pm, tickets $15 (optional pre-show dinner, $10), fundraiser for WCSU Child Care center will bring performers from all corners of the campus together for an uplifting combination of music, dance & comedy; 837-8266.

April 9: Carlos Sousa & Men Without Instruments at Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, free concert of doo-wop & shoo-wop music; 748-1716.

April 10: Swing dance featuring Eight To The Bar, Immanuel Lutheran School, 35 Foster St (behind Danbury Library), Danbury, 6-9 pm, adm $15 adults, $11 seniors, $3 ages 12 & under; 792-7298, 743-4091.

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

April 4, Percussion Concert by WCSU Percussion Ensemble, 8 pm, selections to incl  “Ionization” by Edgard Varese, “Momentum” by William Kraft, “Chamber Music IV” by Robert Suderburg & “Sacrificial Rite” by David Gillingham; April 8, Jazz Concert, 8 pm, performances by award-winning WCSU Jazz Quartet (to feature saxophonist Jonathan Blanck, drummer Tim Walsh, bassist Michael Mancini & guitarist Alex Faulkner) to incl original compositions & jazz standards, plus WCSU Jazz Quintet II, WCSU Jazz Sextet II & WCSU Jazz Septet (featuring vocalist Ana Tipton).

Newtown Friends of Music, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, 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: April 10, Le Fenice (The Phoenix: violinist Catherine Cho, violist Maria Lambros, oboist Peggy Pearson, cellist Marcy Rosen & pianist Diane Walsh), works of Mozart (Trio in E-flat Major, Op 498 “Kegelstatt”), Schumann (Fantasiestücke for cello & piano, Op 73), Harbinson, Heiss & Child (Three Chorale Preludes), Brahms (Piano Quartet in A Major) & Bach (“Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring”).

Films _________________

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

April 1-7: Gunner Palace (PG-13), daily 5:30, 7:40 & 9:35 pm, mat Fri 3:25 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 3:25 pm; Melinda & Melinda (PG-13), daily 5:20, 7:30 & 9:45 pm, mat Fri 3:15 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:10 & 3:15 pm; Millions (PG), daily 5:10, 7:15 & 9:25 pm, mat Fri 3:05 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:05 pm; Off The Map (PG-13), daily 7 & 9:15 pm, mat Sat-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:15 pm.

Danbury Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4533.

Indie & Foreign Film Series, free, screenings 2 pm: April 3, Carol’s Journey.

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

April 1-6: Meet The Fockers (PG-13), Fri-Sun 7 & 9:10 pm, Mon-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues-Wed 1 pm.

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

Lost & Found Film Series, 7:30 pm screenings followed by guest speakers for Q&A, tickets $15: April 15, Happy Hour, guest speaker will be actor Robert Vaughn.

For Kids & Families _________

April 2: One-Day Paperback & Children’s Book Sale, Ridgefield Library, 472 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 9 am-5 pm, proceeds will support library’s future programs & equipment; 203-438-8093.

April 2: “Kigata Concert for Children – Starring Red Grammer,” Christ Church Parish, Cross Highway, Redding, performances at 11 am & 4 pm, tickets $12, special fundraising concert by renowned children’s entertainer Red Grammer will benefit church’s adopted African elementary school in Kigata, Uganda; 203-358-2175.

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

Young Adult programs, free unless specified: April 13, YA Nutmeg Award Book Discussion, 4 pm, readers in grades 7-8 invited to talk about Caroline B. Cooney’s Goddess of Yesterday.

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

The Little Engine That Could, through April 10, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

Quick Center for the Arts/Fairfield Univ, 1073 North Benson Rd, Fairfield. Call 203-254-4010.

April 3, “What’s Opera Doc?” 1 & 3 pm, $12 adults, $10 children, cartoon gems, historic films, live performance & audience participation led by pianist & composer Jed Distler w/ Metropolitan Opera soprano Emily Pulley & tenor Scott Ailing, program suitable for all ages aims at making opera fun & bring it to life.

Miscellaneous ___________

April 1: Newtown Singles Meet & Mingle event, 7-9 pm, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main Street, area singles invited to meet and socialize during monthly event; 261-4210.

April 1-2: Flagpole Photographers Annual Spring Exhibition, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, Sat 12-4 pm, Sun 1-4 pm, club members will be presenting works in color & black & white, judging to be done in sev categories incl Best in Show, People’s Choice, Dave Kreiger Nature Award & Jeanette Talarino Floral Award; 364-1719, 426-0558.

April 2: NUMC Monthly Pasta Dinner, Newtown United Methodist Church’s Rauner Hall, 92 Church Hill Rd, Sandy Hook, 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 separate Concerts listing); 426-0617.

April 2: 20th Annual Breath of Spring Craft Show, New Fairfield High School, Gillotti Rd, New Fairfield, 10 am-4 pm, works by 80 artisans from throughout Northeast w/ traditional crafts, folk art, glassware, metalwork, wooden objects & more, also homemade treats, raffles featuring items donated by crafters, refreshments, presented by Community Service Club of New Fairfield; 746-9231.

April 2: “Art From Connecticut Forests – The Auction,” The Silo, 44 Hunt Hill Rd, New Milford, viewing begins 4 pm, live auction starts at 5, reservations requested, works from traveling collection of art created from The Centennial Oak in Meshomasic State Forest will be auctioned to benefit forest conservation programs across the state, partial proceeds will also benefit The Silo & its continued work in local land conservation; 734-2513.

April 2-3: Super Model Train Exhibit X, Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25 at 133), Brookfield Center, 10 am-5 pm, adm $3 adults, $2 seniors, $1 ages 7-14, free ages 6 & under, N-G scale model layouts & collections on view, also railroad-related photos, antiques, artwork, videos, memorabilia & sounds, vendor areas, trains for children to operate & more; 740-8140.

April 3: Newtown Spring Welcome Craft Fair, Edmond Town Hall gymnasium, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 11 am-4 pm, free adm, 40± crafters expected; 261-2414.

April 3: All You Can Eat Scholarship Breakfast, Odd Fellows’ Hall, 25 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, New Milford, 8-11 am, $7 adults, $3 ages 12 & under, breakfast of eggs (many styles), bacon, sausage, toast, homefries, pancakes, juice, coffee & tea is fundraiser for Odd Fellows’ & Rebeka’s Lodge of New Milford; 860-354-1062.

April 3: “A Car Show to Benefit CCMC Kids,” Western CT State University’s O’Neill Center, WCSU’s westside campus, University Blvd (off Lake Ave Extension), Danbury, 11 am-3 pm, adm $5, proceeds of event coordinated by Shepaug Valley High School senior Jamie Beckman will benefit CT Children’s Medical Center; 837-8499.

April 3: Story Tsunami by The Tale Waggers, New Milford Public Library, 24 Main St, New Milford, begins 2 pm, free adm, stories from around the world will be told by featured storytellers Sue Ford, Michael Krupnikoff, Shari Lynn, Joyce Marie Rayno & friends, donations encouraged & will be forwarded to groups & organizations that continue to aid victims of Dec 2004 tsunamis in southeast Asia; 860-355-1191 x204.

April 3: “Moments of Inspiration in The Study and Practice of Yoga,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by Theresa Strack will share stories from her studies & teachings in yoga, group meditation & tea reception will follow; 203-263-2254.

April 4: “An Evening with Bernie Siegel,” St Rose Parish Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 7:30 pm, tickets $15 (adv purchase required), program will explore the role of hope, love & spirituality in healing process, also the importance of resolving conflict; 426-1014.

April 4: BookTalk at Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free discussion led by author Patricia O’Conner about her book on literacy & grammar Woe Is I, all welcome; 264-1716, 262-6123.

April 7: “The Power of Intuition and The Positive Energy To Heal,” Western CT State University Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, $20, lecture by Dr Judith Orloff, book signing to follow; 837-8800.

April 7: Child Care Cabaret, Western CT State University’s Warner Hall, Fifth Ave (off White St/Rte 6), Danbury, 7:30 pm, tickets $15 (optional pre-show dinner, $10), fundraiser for WCSU Child Care center will bring performers from all corners of the campus together for an uplifting combination of music, dance & comedy; 837-8266.

April 9: Annual SNAN Spring Bake Sale, Lexington Gardens, 32 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 10 am-2 pm, annual sale helps Spay and Neuter Association of Newtown (SNAN) defray costs of spaying & neutering for those in need.

April 9: 3rd Annual CT Holistic Health Fair, Western CT State University Berkshire Hall (midtown campus), Osborne St at Seventh Ave, Danbury, 10 am-5 pm, adm $5, free for students & seniors, presented by CT Holistic Health Assn & WCSU Institute for Holistic Health Studies; 837-8800.

April 9: United Methodist Church of Monroe Fine Art & Collectibles Auction, at UMC of Monroe, 515 Cutlers Farm Rd, Monroe, preview 7-8 pm, auction begins at 8, adm $10/person, $15/couple, presented by Independent Galleries (Kerhonkson, NY-based firm) w/ sports & celebrity memorabilia, also framed fine art & sculpture; 261-0640, 268-8395.

April 9: Art Show & Auction, Bryan Memorial Town Hall, Rte 47, Washington Depot, preview begins 7 pm, auction to start at 8, tickets $15/person, $25/couple, matted & framed works in various media & price range, also sports collectibles, will be auctioned by Ross Galleries, proceeds to benefit St Andrew’s Episcopal Church of Marble Dale; 860-868-2275.

April 10: Open House & Living History Demonstration, Matthew Curtiss House, 44 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1-4 pm, free & suitable for all ages, Robert Young will describe remedies and advice an apothecary would have provided to Colonial families, also display of tools and supplies, costumed docents will offer guided tours of house-museum; 426-5937.

April 10: Antiques & Collectibles Open House, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 1-5 pm, public invited to visit Third Floor Collections Room & explore library’s collection of books on antiques & collectibles; 426-4533.

April 10: Seventh Annual Antiques Appraisals Day, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 2-5 pm, verbal appraisals $5/item (limit 3 items per turn in line), panelists to incl Turkey Frey (17th, 18th & early 19th Century furniture & decorative accessories), Wayne Mattox (variety of specialties), Steve Stieglitz (jewelry) & Jack DeStories (furniture, paintings, decorative art, clocks & more), proceeds will benefit event sponsor Newtown Historical Society; 426-5937.

April 10: Victorian Tea at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd (Rte 111, opposite Monroe Green), Monroe, 1-4 pm, tickets $15 incl tea, breads, sandwiches & desserts, proceeds will benefit various charities; 268-4265.

Active Singles. Call 860-253-9782.

Hikes for singles ages 30s-50s held 1st & 3rd Sun/month, 9:30-11:30 am, free, hikes available in 4 difficulty levels, no dogs or children: April 3, hikes at Squantz Pond, Rte 39, New Fairfield.

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: April 3, American Woodcock Mating Dance, 7 pm, opportunities to witness one of most fascinating displays of courtship in bird kingdom; April 10, American Woodcock Mating Dance, 7 pm, opportunities to witness one of most fascinating displays of courtship in bird kingdom.

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

Programs free unless noted: April 1, book discussion, 1 pm, concerning In an Uncertain World by Robert E. Rubin, all welcome; April 2, Basic Computing, 9 am-noon, free hands-on class led by staff member from Newtown Computer Training Center w/ focus on keyboards, shortcuts & function keys, mouse skills, getting started on Internet, registration required; April 7, “Rembrandt’s Late Religious Portraits,” 7:30 pm, slide lecture by art historian Heike Stucke will explore the painter’s career of ca late 1600s & early 1660s, when he created brooding & pensive religious portraits; April 11, Daytime Book Group meeting, 1 pm, discussion of The House of Seven Gables by Nathaniel Hawthorne, newcomers welcome.

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

Art at The Nature Center, 7:30 pm, $5: April 15, “Porcelain’s Surprises” by Jean Mann, slides & original works by one of the world’s most expert porcelain carvers.

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

April 2-3, Hike Trails Opening Weekend, 11 am-5 pm, no charge, vineyard’s hiking trails will open for the season, guided hikes Sat & Sun 12 & 3 followed by wine tastings.

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: April 2, Pequonnock River Valley, Trumbull (leader is Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); April 9, Naugatuck State Forest High Rock (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025); April 16, Ransom Hunt Audubon Sanctuary, Bedford, N.Y. (Dave Wesley, 203-438-1459).

Newtown Singles, meetings at Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 261-4210.

Monthly “Meet & Mingle” events, 7-9 pm: next program/meeting April 1.

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.

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: April 6, Gary Mex Glazner, reading by this featured poet (author of sev books of poetry & executive director of the 1990 – 1st ever! – Nat’l Poetry Slam Championships) will coincide w/ a writing workshop, $15 for workshop; April 13, Anthony Joseph Arlotta: Reconsiderate (host: Faith Vicinanza).

Theatre ______________

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

On Stage II: The Romance of Magno Rubio, through April 3, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $40-$60.

BFE, April 13-May 1, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat 3 pm, Sun & Wed 2 pm, tickets $40-$60.

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

Show Boat, April 7-10, curtain Thurs 7 pm, Fri-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, call for ticket details, spring production of NHS Drama Department will based on Edna Ferber’s 1926 novel of same name.

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

Romantic Comedy, through April 9, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (April 3 only) 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 students & seniors; call for details about take-away picnics offered by area restaurants.

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

Golf With Alan Shepard, through April 24, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, call for ticket prices.

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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, but must be in sharp focus. Please call for specs if you plan to email digital photo files.