Antiques Shows______

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

Nov 27-28: 27th Annual Westport Holiday Antiques Show, Bedford Middle School, 88 North Ave, Westport, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $8, 65+ booths, proceeds to benefit Staples High School student-run radio station; 203-222-2259.

Dec 3-5: 47th Annual Antiquarius Antiques Show, Greenwich Civic Center, Old Greenwich, Fri-Sat 11 am-6 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $15, breakfast & lecture by Richard Keith Langham (Fri 9:30 am, $40 incl show adm), breakfast & gallery tour w/ Ronald Bourgeault (Sat 9:30 am, $25 incl show adm), proceeds benefit Historical Society of The Town of Greenwich; 203-869-6899 x14.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

The Barnum Museum, 820 Main St, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun 12-4:30 pm. Call 203-331-1104.

*(new show) Nov 26-Jan 2: “Victorian Christmas Traditions,” special exhibition educates about early American trees that were decorated w/ fruit, nut, candles, cookies & small handmade trinkets given as gifts on Christmas morning.

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 Nov 30: photographs by members of Candlewood Camera Club.

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 Nov 30: “Guys’ Stuff,” large selection antique carpenter & agricultural tools & toolboxes, vintage smoking items incl old meerschaum pipes, tin tobacco cans & branded cigarette lighters, pocketknives, early Gilbert Erector set (ca 1927), animal skulls, Indian arrowheads, telephone pole insulators, antique toys & baseball memorabilia, plus Presidential campaign buttons dating to latter 19th Century.

Carriage Barn Arts Center in Waveny Park, 681 South Ave, New Canaan. Hours: Tues-Fri 11 am-4 pm, Sat-Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-972-1895.

Through Dec 12: “World War II Artists: Front Lines to the Home Front,” images of WWII done during & after the war by Fairfield County artists (all veterans of WWII) Victor Dowd, Sydney Greenberg, Doug Leigh, Howard Munce, Clark Robinson, Arthur Shilstone, Tracy Sugarman & Ed Vebell.

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.

*(new show) Through Dec 24, works by Stephanie Adam (of Newtown), Janet DiGuardi, Robert Everding, Suzanne Katchmar, Laurel Lobovits, Toby Michaels, Rab Thornton, Jill Vaughn & Linda Wingerter.

Cosmic Hippo, 40 North Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Fri-Mon 10 am-5 pm & by appt. Call 860-927-3069.

Through Nov 30: “Harvest Home,” photographs of autumn scenes by Karin & Brad Smith, oil paintings featuring autumnal landscapes by Al Coffill, baskets by Linda Banks, decorative gourds by Bern Richards, nature photographs by Ryan O’Connor, photographs of animals in the wild by David Buck, and pottery by Marbie Kollath & Mark Covello.

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 Nov 30: “Beyond Cliché,” etchings & paintings of local scenes & lighthouses by Robert Conrad Ledoux.

*(new show) Dec 1-Jan 18: wood carvings by Wayne Smith & Carol Keyt.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Thurs-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

Through Dec 5: group show celebrating grand opening of new gallery features paintings by Rita Baragona, Ivy Dachman, Julie Hickcox, Jack Lardis, Michael Patterson, Deborah Waimon and sculpture by Jorge Blanco.

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 Nov 29: “A Familiar Language,” artist Linda Gardner’s exploration of the inner self through recent abstract paintings.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Hours: daily 10 am-5 pm. Call 203-852-0700.

*(new show) Through Jan 18: “2004 Holiday Lighthouse Display,” fun & imaginative lighthouse models by regional artists & crafters, with visitors invited to cast votes on their favorites.

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

Through Jan 15: “Black Tie: Exquisite Small Works,” 18 original small-scale paintings by well-known area artists incl Robert Crawford, Joy Bristol, Thomas Adkins, Judith Andrew, Tom Yost, Helene Brier, Robert Holden, Ella Knox, John Schieffer, Katrina Schmidt-Rinke, David Heskes & Mary Whyte, with each work coupled w/ custom frame designed & built by gallery owner P.H. Miller.

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 Dec 1: “Two Views: Photographs of The American Scene,” platinum/palladium prints by Carl Weese incl pcs from his “Shepaug Suite,” “Flatland” and “Virginia Hills” series, digital color photography of the Southwest by David Peter Arnold.

New Haven Colony Historical Society, 114 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 12-5 pm (museum library open Wed-Fri 10-5 only). Call 203-562-4183.

Through Jan 15: “Substance & Style: Margaret Fitch Brewster and The Emergence of The Modern Society Woman,” celebration of a New Haven society woman (1884-1963) who found inspiration & influence in many charitable organizations & cultural movements that she participated in & helped establish during her lifetime.

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

Through Dec 19: “Holiday Market,” RGA’s annual sale of fine art & artisanry, all priced for gift-giving.

Trinity College Widener Gallery in Austin Arts Center, 300 Summit St, Hartford. Hours: Sun-Fri 1-6 pm. Call 860-297-2199.

Through Dec 8: “Jerusalem Print Workshop,” selection of prints from the largest workshop of its kind in Israel.

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

Through Dec 5: “Athenian Acropolis: The Restoration Project,” first ever North American exhibition of nearly 100 photographs by Socratis Mavrommatis, mostly black & white, documenting 25 years of ongoing Acropolis restoration project divided into categories of the Acropolis prior to restoration, detailed preparation efforts, the work itself & images of the monuments throughout the process, also four large plaster casts loaned from Metropolitan Museum of Art incl 2 sections of Parthenon frieze, also series of albumen photo prints of Parthenon frieze by British photographer W.A. Mansell during 1880s placed side-by-side w/ similar shots by current photos to offer comparisons of century’s effects on the site.

White Silo Farm Winery & Gallery, 32 Rte 37, Sherman. Hours: Fri-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-355-0271.

Through Dec 5: “Glass Act,” fused glass work by Linda Banks, Alice Honeck, Elizabeth G. Miller, Maryann Meken-Silvestri, Joan Oesterling, Judy Mirrer & Jane Uzwiak.

Wilton Art Gallery & Framing, 379 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-762-8311.

Through Dec 6: “Fred Stein Photography: Paris 1930s – New York 1940s – Portraits,” street scenes of Paris in the years just before German occupation, New York during & just after WWII, plus portraits of intellectuals, artists & statesmen who shaped the political & cultural events of the 20th Century.

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) Dec 3-29: “A Father-Daughter Collaboration,” watercolors by Ed MacEwen, box art pcs, ceramics & photography by Newtown resident Bonnie MacEwen Sailer, and a set of murals produced by the father & daughter artists; Dec 3, artists’ opening reception, 6-8 pm.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Nov 27: Ballroom Dance & Performance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight, adm $15 (singles & couples welcome), dance lesson offered at 8, general dancing all night, performance at 9:30 featuring American rhythm stars Inna Ivanenko & Tony Dovolani (featured dancer in film Shall We Dance?), refreshments available, reservations suggested; 203-374-7308.

Nov 28: Sherman Chamber Ensemble Thanksgiving Concert, Sherman Congregational Church, Church Rd, Sherman, 2 pm, free performance featuring classical & jazz pianist Ted Rosenthal, cellist Eliot Bailen & flutist Susan Rotholz, w/ friends, works of Piazzolla (Three Tangos for flute, piano & double bass), Bailen (new rendition of “The Story of Ferdinand”) & piano improvisations will be followed by reception w/ musicians, performance will be repeated at 5 pm at St Andrew’s Church in Kent; 860-355-5930.

Nov 28: Cellist Mary Costanza & pianist Ray Pierpont at First Congregational Church, Rte 47, Washington, 4 pm, freewill offering (sugg donation $15), program of works by Bach, Brahms, Bruch & Schumann will open 2204-05 First Church Concerts Series; 860-868-0569.

Nov 28: Sherman Chamber Ensemble Thanksgiving Concert, St Andrew’s Church, North Main St, Kent, 5 pm, free concert, see program details for 2 pm listing above; 860-355-5930.

Nov 30: “The Everyman Guild: A Concert of Seasonal Music,” East Hill Woods, 611 East Hill Rd, Southbury, 7:15 pm, free performance (reservations requested) of seasonal music from the Middle Ages & Renaissance period (ca 1400-1600) incl ancient chants, holiday pcs & lively Spanish Villancicos, performed on authentic period instruments; 262-6161.

Dec 1: Brookfield High School Chorus Annual Holiday Concert, at Brookfield Historical Society Museum, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield Center, 7:30 pm, free adm, annual performance by high school chorus will incl classical, traditional & contemporary holiday sounds concluding w/ “Hallelujah Chorus” of Messiah; 740-8140.

Dec 4: Hansel & Gretel at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, performances 3 & 7:30 pm, tickets $10-$25, production by Hat City Music Theater of Humperdinck’s family opera will include vocalists from Aspen Music Festival, Santa Fe Opera & Los Angeles Opera, plus instrumentalists from Metropolitan Opera & Broadway; 746-2694.

Dec 4: 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.

Dec 4: Holiday Concert by The Sanctuary Choir, First Congregational Church of Bethel, 46 Main St, Bethel, 7:30 pm, free concert by award-winning choir & brass ensemble will incl Martin’s holiday cantata Circle of Joy & other Christmas music, preceded (6-7:30 pm) by church’s Annual Yankee Pot Roast Dinner (public welcome; $15 adults, $7.50 ages 7-12, free ages 6 & under, dinner of pot roast, mashed potatoes, vegetables, salad, rolls & beverages); 748-6112.

Dec 4: “Home For The Holidays,” at Wilton High School, 395 Danbury Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 8 pm, tickets $20-$80, annual Wilton Kiwanis Holiday concert; 203-834-0308.

Dec 5: The Chamber Singers at Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free holiday performance by a cappella group of 20 voices from CT Choral Society will offer both the familiar & the unusual incl carols from Spain, France & a West Indian spiritual, post-concert reception w/ musicians; 775-6241.

Dec 5: “St Stephen’s Concert Choir & Orchestra: The Music Ives Concert Hall at WCSU, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Dec 2, WCSU Orchestra concert, 8 pm, free (donations accepted for university’s music dept), 55-pc symphonic orchestra will perform Mozart’s Symphony No 40 in G minor, Bizet’s Carmen Suite & Schubert’s Tragic Symphony; Dec 3, WCSU Jazz Combos concert, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 seniors & students, guest bassist Christian McBridge will join group for performance; Dec 6, WCSU Percussion Ensemble concert, 8 pm, free (donations accepted for university’s music dept), music professor Dr David Smith will conduct performance of “Quintet for Percussion,” “Windstone Suite,” “African Welcome Piece,” & others incl interpretation of Dave Brubeck’s “La Fiesta de las Posada.”

Films _________________

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

Nov 26-Dec 2: Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (R), daily 7:10 & 9:40 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 1:50 & 4:30 pm; Kinsey (R), daily 6:50, 7:50 & 9:30 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 1:30, 2:30, 4:10 & 5:10 pm; Sideways (R), daily 6:40 & 9:20 pm, mat Fri-Sun, Wed 1 & 3:50 pm.

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

Nov 26-Dec 2: Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Fri-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 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: Dec 3, A Walk on The Moon, guest actor & director Tony Goldwyn.

For Kids & Families _________

Dec 3-12: Two from Galilee, Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd, Bethel, performances Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $7.50, dramatic musical by Walnut Hill Worship & Arts Department based on the book by Marjorie Holmes; 796-7373.

Dec 4: Hansel & Gretel at Newtown High School, 12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook, performances 3 & 7:30 pm, tickets $10-$25, production by Hat City Music Theater of Humperdinck’s family opera will include vocalists from Aspen Music Festival, Santa Fe Opera & Los Angeles Opera, plus instrumentalists from Metropolitan Opera & Broadway; 746-2694.

Dec 4: “Creativity Safari” at Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 10 am-12:30 pm, $5 adults, free ages 12 & under (pre-registration suggested), join instructor Margaret DeMarino in exploration of diff painting styles in museum’s galleries through music, cartooning & art, create “symphonies,” stories, improv comedies & scripted scene work; 203-753-0381 x10.

Dec 4-19: Vintage Train Rides to Visit Santa, Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St, Danbury, Sat-Sun 12-5 pm, $7 (ages 3 & up), visitors will ride on fully-restored 1953 New Haven Railroad Rail Diesel Car (RDC) through museum’s railyard en route to Santa’s railcar, where they will be greeted by Mrs Claus & elves, small gifts for each child; 778-8337.

Dec 5: A Winter Beach Party, Comstock Community Center, 180 School Rd, Wilton, begins 12:30 pm, $5 (adv registration requested; tickets can be purchased at Funny Hats in Ridgefield), Annie & The Natural Wonder Band will host event to incl original music, songs & hopping dances inspired by nature, guests should bring beach chairs, blankets & picnic lunch; 761-1434.

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

For Young Adults: Dec 4, Family Art Adventure, 12-5 pm, free, docent-led tours geared toward families depart every 30 min, then groups encouraged to visit Education Center for hands-on activities.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: Dec 11, Gingerbread House Workshop, 3-4 pm, $3 materials fee due at registration (must be done in person), ages 4 & up invited to decorate an already-assembled graham cracker house w/ icing & candies.

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

The Littlest Christmas Tree, through Dec 26, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50.

Miscellaneous ___________

Through Dec 19: “Songs of The Season: Sights & Sounds of The Holiday Season,” Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave (off Rte 34), Derby, Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, free adm, each room of museum will be decorated to reflect a different holiday sound by members of regional garden clubs, tours available from museum guides, Twilight Tours also available Dec 3, 10 & 17; 734-2513.

Through Dec 22: “An Enchanted Forest of Artist Ornaments,” Silvermine Guild Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Rd, New Canaan, Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm, handmade holiday ornaments created by Silvermine Guild members in variety of media, all available for purchase, gallery will be open late Dec 22 for final shopping opportunities; 203-966-5617.

Through Dec 24: Washington Art Association’s Annual Holiday Gift Sale, WAA Gallery, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, sale of crafts & small works of art made by 100+ area fine artists & craftspeople, suitable for holiday giving, incl soaps & body scrubs, beaded necklaces, patchwork quilts, functional & decorative pottery, ornaments, dried floral wreaths & more; 860-868-2878.

Through Dec 31: 29th Annual Brookfield Craft Center Holiday Exhibition & Sale, BCC campus, 286 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm, handcrafter work by more than 200 American artists in jewelry, pottery, glassware, wearables plus functional & decorative craftwork for home & office; 775-4526.

Nov 27: Annual Holiday Gift Sale, Housatonic Valley Waldorf School, 40 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Newtown, 10 am-2 pm, free adm, toys, dolls, silks, children’s books & unusual handmade gifts w/ emphasis on high-quality workmanship & natural materials; 364-1113.

Nov 27: Monroe Historical Society Christmas Fair, East Village-Barn Hill Historic Schoolhouse, Wheeler Rd, Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, vintage & new ornaments, decorated sleds, Grandma’s Attic (small vintage collectibles), baked goods, historical society cookbooks & more, sale continues Dec 3-4 & 11; 268-5511.

Nov 27: 3rd Annual Holiday Renaissance Faire, Western CT State University’s O’Neill Center, University Blvd (off Mill Plain Rd), Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, adm $2.50 adults, free ages 12 & under, crafters from across New England participating, visits w/ Santa, presented by Artisans Alliance; 261-2414.

Nov 28: Western CT Orienteering Club open meet at Trout Brook Valley, Bradley Rd, Easton, registration & starts 10 am-noon, $6, free instruction & compasses available, all level standard courses available (beginner to expert), courses will be set up by Greg Balter w/ Boris Granovskiy & Sergei Zhyk (members US Orienteering Team); 860-658-7963.

Nov 30: MFA Slide Lecture Series: James McGarrell, WCSU White Hall Viewing Room 1, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 11 am, free lecture by renowned painter known for paintings that imaginatively juxtapose recognizable forms & hint at narrative, continues university’s ongoing public lecture series; 837-8410.

Dec 1-5: 5th Annual “You Can Never Have Enough Christmas Boutique,” St Rose of Lima Parish Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, Wed 7-10 pm (Men’s Shopping Night w/ refreshments & free gift wrapping available), Thurs (closed, no shopping hours Dec 2), Fri 6-10 pm (adm $5 for gala opening night feat live music, wine & cheese), Sat 10 am-7 pm (free adm), Sun 8 am-2 pm (free adm), boutique of items from around the world incl collectibles, holiday decorations & ornaments, wreaths, gifts for teachers & friends, unique treasures, also raffle, proceeds benefit parish’s building program.

Dec 1: Annual Pomperaug Woods Holiday Bazaar, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury, 10 am-2 pm, decorative items handmade by Pomperaug Woods residents, also vendors incl Southwest Jewelry, Carol’s Curios, Spoonwood Country Crafts, Leslie’s Jewelry & Accessories, Pampered Paws & more, free gift wrapping; 262-6555.

Dec 2: WCSU Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, Western CT State University westside campus, University Blvd (off Mill Plain/Lake Ave Ext), Danbury, planetarium show at 4:30 pm, telescope viewing 5:30-7:30 of early winter sky, free & open to public; 837-8672.

Dec 2: “The Future of Learning With (Or Without) Technology: Lessons from Cognitive Science,” WCSU Student Center Theater, 181 White St, Danbury, 7 pm, free public lecture by WCSU assistant prof of psychology Dr Robin Flanagan will concern basic principles of cognition, the results of research in elementary school classrooms to test these principles, & explain why the topic should matter to those concerned w/ learning & education; 837-8773.

Dec 3: Newtown Tree Lighting Ceremony, Ram Pasture, Elm Dr at Hawley Rd, Newtown, 6:30 pm, carol singing w/ NHS Choir, visits w/ Santa & Mrs Claus, donuts & hot chocolate, all counting down to lighting of town’s official holiday tree at 7.

Dec 3: Newtown Singles “Meet & Mingle” event, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St (Rte 25, at the flagpole), Newtown, 7-9 pm, free adm, area singles welcome; 261-4210.

Dec 3: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm-1 am, adm $15 incl dinner & dessert buffets, dancing to DJ selections(Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), no jeans permitted; 203-468-1144.

Dec 3: Holiday Twilight Tour at Osborne Homestead Museum, 500 Hawthorne Ave (immediately off Rte 34), Derby, 4-6:30 pm, free adm, self-guided tours through museum where each room has been decorated by regional garden club members to reflect Christmas songs, decorated museum open for regular visits w/ guided tours to Dec 19 (Thurs-Sun 10 am-4 pm, group tours available – call for appt), Twilight Tours also planned for Dec 10 & 17; 734-2513.

Dec 3: “The Elixir for Living and Its Benefits on Health and Sexuality,” DiGrazia Vineyard, Tower Rd, Brookfield, 6-8:30 pm, RSVP requested, vineyard owner & board certified gynecologist Dr Paul DiGrazia will offer program, lead wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres also served, sponsored by Greater Candlewood Exchange Club, contact Corinne Cox for reservation by Nov 27; 775-7060.

Dec 3: Annual Wilton Holiday Walk, Wilton Center Gazebo, 5:30-7:30 pm, Santa arrives around 5:30 to open celebration of holiday season & listen to children’s wishes, nearby merchants will be hosting special sales, Wilton Library will be open late w/ refreshments & opening reception of a father-daughter art exhibition, sponsored by Wilton Chamber of Commerce; 762-3950.

Dec 3: “Art from The Heart: An Escape to the Arts Fundraiser,” at Escape to The Arts, 293 Main St, Danbury, begins 7 pm, tickets $75, shop for unique works by 50 fine artists (painters, sculptors, photographers & jewelers) while enjoying fine wood, select wine & live music; 794-1413 x100.

Dec 3-4: Garden Club of Newtown Annual Greens Sale, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, Fri 2-8 pm, Sat 9 am-1 pm, sale of decorated wreaths in many styles and themes, also garland, wall hangings, jellies, etc, all created by garden club members, also raffle for rose hip wreath, sale continues on Saturday.

Dec 3-4: Monroe Historical Society Christmas Fair, East Village-Barn Hill Historic Schoolhouse, Wheeler Rd, Monroe, Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, vintage & new ornaments, decorated sleds, Grandma’s Attic (small vintage collectibles), baked goods, historical society cookbooks & more, sale continues Dec 3-4 & 11; 268-5511.

Dec 3-4: Third Annual Gunn Memorial Library Festival of Trees, Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47/on the green), Washington Green, Fri 5-7 pm (preview cocktail party & raffle, $10/person, $15/couple), Sat 10 am-2 pm, exhibition of decorated theme trees available for viewing & purchase, also sale of limited edition Gunn Memorial Library Bookmark; 860-868-7586.

Dec 3-4: 24th Annual Connecticut’s Christmas Town Festival, area of Rte 61 at 132, Bethlehem Center, Fri 5-10 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm, buildings & churches surrounding town green will be decorated & filled w/ holiday crafters & refreshments, candlelight procession (Fri 6 pm) leading to reenactment of Mary & Joseph looking for shelter, traditional Advent service (Fri, at First Church Bethlehem), Santa’s arrival (Fri), hay rides, ongoing musical performances, extended hours at Bethlehem Post Office & more, note: no parking in center of town, shuttle bus service will be ample; 203266-6766, 203-266-6326.

Dec 3-4: Lucia Fest, United Covenant Church, 68 Westport Rd, Wilton, begins 7 pm, reservations required, holiday festival will feature traditional Swedish baked goods, singing of Christmas carols & procession of Santa Lucia; 203-834-0644.

Dec 3-8: New Canaan Library’s Great Pre-Christmas Book Sale, New Canaan Library’s Adrian Lamb Room, 151 Main St, New Canaan, Fri begins 5:30 pm (call for info on entry tickets, no fee charged), Sat 9 am-5 pm (live music, refreshments), Sun 12-5 pm, Mon-Tues 9 am-5 pm, hundreds of books in gift-giving conditions, discounts begin Sun, credit cards welcome; 203-594-5000.

Dec 3-12: Two from Galilee, Walnut Hill Community Church, 156 Walnut Hill Rd, Bethel, performances Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 3 pm, tickets $7.50, dramatic musical by Walnut Hill Worship & Arts Department based on the book by Marjorie Holmes; 796-7373.

Dec 4: 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.

Dec 4: Children’s Book Sale, Wilton Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Rd/Rte 7, Wilton, 9 am-4 pm, indoor event w/ picture books, chapter books, classics, series, videos & DVDs, also visits w/ Santa (10:30-noon); 203-762-3950.

Dec 4: Harmony Grange Annual Christmas Fair, grange hall, Rte 110 at 111, Monroe, 9 am-4 pm, artists & crafters, food; 264-3480.

Dec 4: St Peter’s Church Holly Fair, Parish Hall of St Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd (Rte 111 at Monroe Green), Monroe, 10 am-4 pm, crafters, Cookie Walk, baked goods, Chinese auction, children’s gift table, Grandma’s Attic, live holly & copies of St Peter’s 200th Anniversary Cookbook, also lunch (11:30-2:30); 268-4265.

Dec 4: Dramatic reading of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, Gunn Memorial Library, 5 Wykeham Rd (at Rte 47, on the green), Washington Green, 3 pm, free dramatic reading by writer & performer William Kinsolving, reservations requested but not required; 860-868-7586.

Dec 4-5: 24th Annual Craft Fair Holiday Boutique, Company A Firehouse, Rte 39, New Fairfield, 9 am-4 pm both days, free adm, designer wreaths, theme decorated tabletop trees, lighted pinecone baskets, dining table centerpieces, Bearington Bears, gift baskets, ornaments in many themes & more, sponsored by & benefit for New Fairfield/Sherman Animal Welfare Society; 860-355-7287.

Dec 4-5: Annual Brookfield Historical Society Holiday Fair, Historical Society’s Museum, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield Center, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 11 am-2 pm, live wreaths, poinsettias, handmade ornaments, food & baked goods, Grandma’s Attic & unique Brookfield gifts, museum’s gift shop will also be open, proceeds to benefit future historical society events; 740-8140.

Dec 5: 19th Annual Newtown Holiday Festival, events at Edmond Town Hall (45 Main St/Rte 25), Newtown High School (12 Berkshire Rd/Rte 34, Sandy Hook), Trinity Church (31 Main St/Rte 25), and private homes on & near Main Street, 11 am-5 pm, tickets $25 adults/advance ($28/day of festival), $23 seniors & students/children in advance ($25 day of), arts & crafts show & sale (will open at 10), antiques show & sale (also opens at 10), New England Café and NE Café Too!, Victorian Tea Room, live music, Ideas Homes, Festival of Trees & more, annual event is major fundraiser for Family Counseling Center; 426-8103..

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

Programs free unless noted: Dec 2, Daytime Book Group meeting, 1 pm, discussion of Paul Revere’s Ride by David Hacker, newcomers welcome; Dec 2, “For Crossword Puzzle Lovers,” 7:30 pm, crossword puzzle creator Douglas Fink will talk about his latest collection of puzzles & explain the process of puzzle making.

Devil’s Den, Pent Rd, Weston. Call 203-966-9577.

Free programs, registration required: Nov 27, “Turkey Talk and Other Bird Words,” note $3 charge for this program, 10-11:30 am, ages 6 & up invited to hike off Thanksgiving dinner while discovering little about ecology of the classic holiday bird, program led by New Canaan Nature Center staff; Nov 28, “Trot off That Turkey,” 9 am-noon, hikers invited to un-stuff after Thanksgiving w/ 4-5-mile hike led by Kate Burt.

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: Nov 27, Massachusetts Rail Trail, hike, bike or roller blade (leader is Morie Colburn, 937-8067); Dec 4, Millerton Rail Trail, N.Y. (leader is Eloise Mueller, 740-8957); Dec 11, Southford Falls, Oxford, short hike followed by winter hike planning session & potluck holiday luncheon (leader & food coordinator is Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025).

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 Dec 3.

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.

Sacred Grounds/Trinity Productions workshops, 24 Alpine Circle, Sandy Hook, or Brookfield Commons, 246 Federal Rd, Suite C-23A, Brookfield (call for location), or by appt, or in-home by appt. Call 426-9448.

Programs at Brookfield Commons: Nov 26, “Touched By Angels with Ellany,” 7:30-9:30 pm, $10 donation, note: guest speaker will be Kathanna Knapp.

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: Dec 1, acrylic program by Adele Moros.

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.

Theatre ______________

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

Sugar Babies: The Burlesque Musical, through Feb 6, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $37.50-$45.50.

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

Pageant, through Dec 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm (note Sat, Nov 27 & Dec 11, 6:30 & 9 pm), tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students; cabaret seating, audience welcome to bring in refreshments (picnic dinners also available), doors open one hour before show.

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

Fully Committed, through Dec 5, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$36.

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

Anthony Neilson’s The Night Before Christmas, Dec 3-19 & 31, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (Dec 12 & 19) 2 pm, tickets $15, show is not appropriate for children; Dec 2, dress rehearsal, 8 pm, area senior citizens welcome to attend preview performance; Dec 4, evening is sold out; Dec 9, Pay What You Want performance, 8 pm, patrons name their ticket prices; Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala, 8 pm, tickets $30 & incl hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

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

Holiday Memories: The Thanksgiving Visitor and A Christmas Memory, Nov 26-Dec 5, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $15 evenings, $12 mats.

WCSU/Berkshire Theatre, in Berkshire Hall, Osborne St at Seventh Ave (midtown campus, off White St), Danbury. Call 837-8732, 837-8486.

“A Director’s Festival: One-Act Plays,” Dec 8-10, curtain Wed-Thurs 8 pm, Fri 7 & 9 pm, free adm (donations will benefit WCSU’s theatre arts dept).