Antiques Shows______

Jan 1: 24th Gala New Year’s Show, Glastonbury High School, Hubbard St, Glastonbury, 9 am-4:30 pm, adm $6, 135 booths; 860-342-2540.

Jan 1: New Year’s Day Antiques Market, All Saints Catholic School, 139 West Rocks Rd, Norwalk, 10 am-5 pm (early buying 9 am, $10), adm $6, partial proceeds will benefit the school; 203-222-2259.

Jan 3-4: Mystic Antiques Show & Sale, Mystic Hilton, Coogan Blvd, Mystic, Sat 11 am-5 pm (early buying 10 am, $10), Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $4.50, proceeds benefit The Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Assn; 860-536-7729.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

550 Gallery, BCM Building, 550 Main St/Rte 61, Bethlehem. Hours: Mon-Fri 12-4 pm. Call 203-266-6995.

Through Jan 15, “Angels Over Bethlehem III: The Spirit of Giving – A Woodland Enchantment with St Nicholas,” traveling exhibit of an angel and figures of St Nicholas in vintage costumes.

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

Through Jan 4, “3rd Annual Celebrate The Season,” Christmas & circus train displays offers Victorian style Christmas trees in museum’s 19th Century period rooms decorated w/ handmade ornaments & train display by The Connecticut G Scalers w/ 3 ovals of track covering 300+ square ft bordered by urban & rural scenes & brightly colored circus tents.

 “Grand Adventure: A Celebration of the American Spirit in Bridgeport,” permanent exhibit on museum’s 2nd floor provides in-depth exploration of Bridgeport’s 19th Century industrialization & urbanization w/ emphasis on P.T. Barnum’s role in the city’s growth.

Beaux Arts Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: M-F 9:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat 9:30 am-4:30 pm, Sun by appt. Call 203-263-3939.

Through Jan 15, “Annual Small Works Show,” juried exhibition of new & exciting artists from across country incl contemporary & traditional art from established artists w/ watercolors, pastels & other paintings, collages, photos & original prints, all works available for purchase & can be taken home the day of purchase.

Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Hours: Wed 7:30 pm (opens for weekly poetry program), Thurs-Sat 12-9 pm, Sun 11-4 pm. Call 798-2193 or 740-7351.

Through Jan 11, “Fine Art & Handcrafts,” works by gallery members.

Black Rock Gallery, 2986 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Wed-Thurs & Sat 10 am-6 pm, Fri 10 am-8 pm, Sun 10 am-3 pm. Call 203-333-6308.

Ongoing exhibit of works by local artists incl oils & watercolors by Mary Treschitta, pen & inks & colored pencils by David Ford, oils by Tom Galasinski & Ursula Starre, digital photos by David Day, and watercolors, acrylics & pastels by Lorna Pirrie.

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: *(new show) Jan 10-Feb 29, “Cityscapes & Landscapes: Oils & Watercolors by Ruth Newquist,” SoHo street scenes & New England landscapes by the Newtown artist Ruth Newquist; Jan 10, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

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 Jan 11, “JFK and Art,” first exhibition to examine how American & European artists help shape the Kennedy legend & legacy offers 40+ paintings, sculptures, drawings & photos from public & private collections around the world, show investigates JFK’s myth & mystique in relation to the art of its time.

Through Feb 1, “The Jewels of Louis Comfort Tiffany,” exploration of LCT’s role as proponent of Art Nouveau movement in America through his use of exotic gemstones & innovative techniques, show incl 50 examples of LCT’s jewelry designs organized into 5 themes.

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)

Fairfield Historical Society, 636 Old Post Rd, Fairfield. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun 1-4:30 pm. Call 203-259-1598.

Through Jan 19, “Celebrating A Century: Treasures From The Collections of the Fairfield Historical Society,” 50+ items from collections significant to local history & American history in general incl copy of first book ever written by a slave, textiles incl ca 1798 floral patterned woman’s dress, ca 1878 wedding gown made in Paris, pre-Revolutionary War sword made by local blacksmith, much more.

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

Through Dec 28, “Trudy McCron Cox: One Artist,” original pastels by the Bantam artist who continues to be inspired by the beauty of New England scenery & farm life.

Through Jan 25, “Deck The Walls,” annual holiday show features gallery’s artists; Dec 12, opening reception, 12-5 pm.

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

Through Feb 2, “Turning Point Glass,” recent glassware art by the Vermont craftsman Michael Egan offers a tour of the artist’s evolving designs.

Through Feb 4, “Shadows and Other Realities,” works on paper by Fethi Meghelli offering the artist’s unique artistic perspective on the contemporary world.

Gregory James Gallery, Bank Street Plaza, 27 Main St, New Milford. Hours: Tues-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm. *note: this is gallery’s new location & hours. Call 860-354-3436.

Through Jan 17, “3rd Annual Small Treasures & More,” group holiday exhibition w/ 50+ works by regular & new gallery artists incl Deborah Chabrian, Mel Crawford, Joseph Grieco, Christopher Magadini, Edward Martinez, Robert Myers, Alain Picard, Edgar Reims, Bill Rice, Anda Styler & John Swatsley.

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.

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

Through Dec 31, “Clothing & Textiles: A Celebration of The Ingenuity and Creativity of The Indigenous Peoples of North America,” clothing & textiles showing various techniques used by Native Americans across the continent incl woven wearing blankets, plains-style dresses, beaded & woven moccasins, & beaded & quill worked accessories.

Through Dec 31, “Progression Of Indigenous People’s Weaponry: Technology and Mythology,” bows, arrows, coup sticks & clubs (condensed version of exhibition previously on view).

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

Through Jan 20, “2nd Annual Holiday Lighthouse Contest,” beautiful, illuminated lighthouse models built & decorated by regional artists & crafters.

Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-753-0381.

Through Dec 31, “Festival of Traditions: Past, Present and Future,” winter wonderland of holiday decorations, displays & trees decorated by school groups, businesses, volunteers, professional designers & artists.

Permanent exhibition: “Fortune’s Story/Larry’s Legacy,” new research findings offer details about skeleton of African-American slave who lived in Waterbury during late 1700s.

Military Museum of Southern New England, 125 Park Ave, Danbury. Hours: (Nov 1-March 31) Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 790-9277.

“Unterseeboot,” exhibit detailing the history of submarine warfare during WWII incl formation of the German Submarine Art and the April 5, 1942 attack on Cape Hatteras.

Permanent life-size interior dioramas w/ major military vehicles, extensive outdoor displays, also “Names on the Wall” computer program to help locate names on Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

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

*(new show) Jan 10-Feb 18, “Etchings, Watercolors & Oils: Robert Andrew Parker,” watercolor portraits by Mr Parker, also works in other mediums; Jan 10, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

New Britain Museum of American Art, 56 Lexington St, New Britain. Hours: Tues, Thurs-Fri & Sun 12-5 pm, Wed 12-7 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm. Museum Highlights Tour offered each Sun at 2 pm. Call 860-229-0257.

Through Jan 17, “New/Now: Walton Ford,” larger-than-life politically charged work incl meticulously rendered classic images of birds & other animals that at first appear to be Audubon-like in presentation but are commentaries on political & ecological concerns upon closer inspection; Jan 7, “Art Happy Hour: Compromising Environment – The Art of Walton Ford,” reception runs 5:30-7 pm, lecture by Agnes Curry (assistant prof of philosophy, St Joseph College) begins at 6.

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 Dec 29, “Life-Journey Photography – A Moment in Time,” hand-colored photos by the celebrated Brookfield photographer Laurie Klein.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Tues-Sun 11 am-5 pm. Call 860-278-2670.

Through Jan 4, “Sankofa: Contemporary Culture and Ancestral Memory,” in exploration of prominence of African aesthetics among artists of the black diaspora, exhibition couples contemporary works by Robert Colescott, Kerry James Marshal, Lorna Simpson, et al w/ photography, cultural ephemera, paintings & decorative art objects from 19th & early 20th centuries.

Through Feb 15, “Grandma Moses in the 20th Century,” works by Anna Mary Robertson (“Grandma”) Moses (1860-1961) for reexamination of artist’s work on its own merits & within context of modern art history; Dec 27, exhibition tour, 1 pm, fee (call); Dec 28, exhibition tour, 2:30 pm, fee (call); Jan 13, “Moving Many Moseses” gallery talk, noon, incl w/ museum adm, presented by registrar Mary Schroeder; Feb 3, “Grandma Moses’s Style” gallery talk, noon, incl w/ museum adm, presented by Wadsworth acting director of education Dana Engstrom DeLoach.

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 Jan 15, “Heartfelt Thoughts,” new giclees by Dave Cutler for his new children’s book When I Wished I Was Alone.

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.

Through Dec 30, “A Visual Journey,” 40+ recent local landscapes & other locations by Ridgefield artist Ann Kromer.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-432-2800.

Through Jan 11, “Traces Of India: Photography, Architecture and The Politics of Representation,” first US showing of photos & other representations of Indian architecture from British colonial era incl 19th C photos, engravings, prints, maps, rare books, postcards, posters & other artifacts offering rich cultural context for photographic images of great monuments of India.

Through Jan 11, “Company Culture: British Artists and The East India Company, 1770-1830,” complementary exhibit to ‘Traces of India’ examines role played by visual artists in late 18th & early 19th C in documenting East India Company’s imperial initiative & formulating the image of the British presence in India incl paintings, works on paper & rare books.

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Masterpiece Tours of Permanent Collection every Sat 1:30 pm, Sun 3 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through Jan 4, “Curule: Ancient Design in American Federal Furniture,” exploration of ancient Greece & Roman sella curulis (Greek, folding stool) & how it inspired classical revival furniture in early 19th C incl chairs, sofas, settees & stools.

*(please note: as of May 2003, all exhibitions & most programs are in adjacent Egerton Swartwout building; YUAG will be undergoing extensive renovations for two years.)

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Bel Canto Chorus, First United Methodist Church, 250 Country Club Rd, Waterbury. Call 203-241-1888.

Through Dec 31: Auditions for new chorus of women’s voices, Sun evenings, seeks experienced singers, conductor & artistic director is Leslie Eckstein, repertoire to incl all styles & types ca 10th-21st C, call for audition appt or additional info, rehearsals will also be Sun pm (or visit www.BelCantoChorus.tripod.com).

Connecticut Master Chorale. Call 775-2602.

Jan 6: New season of rehearsals begin, openings in soprano section, call director Tina Johns Heidrich for audition appt, award-winning 55-voice auditioned chorale rehearses weekly at South Britain Congregational Church House, Rte 172 at East Flat Hill Rd, call for details.

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

Dec 31: Deadline to receive entries for 2003 Wallace W. Winchell Poetry Contest, send SASE for full guidelines.

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.

Ridgefield Theatre Barn, 37 Halpin La, Ridgefield. Call 203-431-9850 x3.

Jan 11-12: Auditions for The Vagina Monologues, 7-9:30 pm, women of all ages, races & ethnic backgrounds welcome for cold readings, bring photos if available, character monologues welcome, dress comfortably, production scheduled for March 12-April 25 weekends.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Dec 27: “An Evening with Brett Somers!” at Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport, 8 pm, tickets $20, cabaret show by a favorite panelist from TV’s classic “Match Game”; 203-696-0031.

Dec 30: 3rd Annual Holiday Concert featuring The Concert Socieyt of Putnam & Northern Westchester, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 30 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, tickets $30 & must be purchased in adv (no ticket sales at door), Richard Serbagi will again direct performance, this year’s guest soloists are soprano Maria Ferrante, violinist Fernando Medina Caceres & violist Midhat Serbagi, gala reception will follow performance, proceeds benefit Newtown Scholarship Assn; 426-2500.

Jan 3: The Burr Johnson Band at Playhouse on the Green, 177 State St, Bridgeport, 8 pm, tickets $15, jazz fusion; 203-696-0031.

Jan 4: “Welcome All Wonders,” Trinity Episcopal Church, 30 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 4 pm, $10 sugg donation, choral & brass concert of seasonal music by Naugatuck Valley Community College Chorus & NVCC Orchestra will include works of Bass, Rutter, Carter, et al (concert rescheduled from December 14); 203-575-8039.

Jan 10: Liz Carroll & John Doyle in concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $5 children, performance of traditional Irish music & song by Ms Carroll on fiddle & Mr Doyle on guitar, bouzouki & vocals is presented by Shamrock Traditional Irish Music Society; 203-256-8453.

Jan 10: Josée Vachon at St Margaret’s-McTernan School, 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 1:30 pm, tickets $10, performance by Ms Vachon of traditional & contemporary folk songs will be part of holiday celebration hosted by Alliance Française of Northwestern CT (optional lunch begins at 1:30, addt’l $16, call for reservations), reservations requested ASAP; 364-1224, 203-263-4096.

Films _________________

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

Dec 26-Jan 1: In America (PG-13), daily 7:20 & 9:35 pm, mat daily 1, 3:05 & 5:10 pm; Something’s Gotta Give (PG-13), daily 6:45 & 9:25 pm, mat daily 1:15 & 4 pm; Triplets of Belleville (PG-13), daily 7:10 & 9:15 pm, mat daily 1:25, 3:15 & 5:05 pm.

Dec 26-31: Love Actually (R), daily 7 pm, mat daily 1:10 pm; Master & Commander: The Far Side of The World (PG-13), daily 9:45 pm, mat daily 3:55 pm.

Jan 1: Calendar Girls (PG-13) (mat 12:45, 3 & 5:15 pm) 7:30 & 9:45 pm.

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

Dec 26-31: Good Boy (PG), mat 11 am & 1:30 pm daily; The School of Rock (PG-13), Fri-Tues 7 & 9 pm, mat Fri-Wed 4 pm.

Maritime Aquarium, 10 North Water St, Norwalk. Call 203-852-0700.

Now showing: Coral Reef Adventure, daily 11 am, 12:10, 2:10 & 3:20 pm; Dolphins, Sat-Sun 2 & 4 pm; Mysteries of Egypt, daily 11 am; Pulse: A STOMP Odyssey, Mon-Fri 1 pm, Fri-Sun also 6:30 & 7:30 pm, Sat-Sun 5 pm.

Through Dec 21: To Fly!, daily at noon.

Dec 25-March 14: Young Black Stallion, Dec 26-Jan 11 – 11 am, 1, 2:10, 3:20, 4:30 & 7 pm daily; Jan 12-Feb 12 – Mon-Thurs 11 am, 2:10 & 3:20 pm, Fri-Sun 11 am, 2:10, 3:20 & 7 pm; Feb 13-22 – Mon-Thurs 1 & 3 pm, Fri-Sun 1, 3 & 7 pm; Feb 23-March 14 – Mon-Thurs 11 am & 1 pm, Fri-Sun 11 am, 1 & 7 pm.

For Kids & Families _________

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 included w/ adm: Dec 28, 30th Anniversary Celebration of Endangered Species Act, 12-3 pm, highlight important pcs of legislation w/ scavenger hunt, coloring & crafts for kids, also giveaways.

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

Rudolph! through Dec 28, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50, group discounts available.

Rumpelstiltskin, Jan 10-Feb 29, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50, group discounts available.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-333-3666.

Polka Dot Kids Theatre Series, monthly series w/ guest performers, shows at 10 am & noon, tickets $12, series tickets & group discounts available: Jan 10, The Elephant Child by The Puppet People, adaptation of Kiplin’s tale of how elephants got their long noses.

Miscellaneous ___________

Dec 28: Danbury Coin Club Coin Show, Danbury Sheraton Hotel, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, 40 dealer tables w/ US & foreign coins, paper money, supplies & other numismatic items, limited appraisal services also available; 746-7531.

Dec 31: 15th Annual Danbury First Night Celebration, CityCenter/downtown area, Danbury, 5 pm-midnight, tickets $10 adults, $7 seniors & children age 12 & under, 28 performers & activities at 20 venues incl musicians, comedians, jugglers, ice skating, dancing, karaoke, children’s entertainment, People’s Procession, refreshments, more; 792-1711.

Jan 2: Newtown Singles Meet & Mingle Event, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7-9 pm, all welcome; 261-4210.

Jan 3: Alliance Française of Northwestern CT Café-Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free, join club members who will be reading & speaking in French (topics vary from simple chitchat to discussions focused on French culture, history or news events), join the discussion or just listen in, all welcome, light refreshments OK, call library if inclement weather; 262-0626.

Jan 4: Stratford Baseball Card & Sports Memorabilia Show, Ramada Inn, 225 Lordship Blvd, Stratford, 9:30 am-3 pm, adm $3 adults, 99 cents ages 10 & under, special appearance by NFL legend Tom Dempsey (12-1 pm), dealers from 5 states participating; 364-1209.

Jan 5: BookTalk program, Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 2 pm, free & open to all, author Erik Ruark will led discussion of his Antebellum; 264-1716, 262-6123.

Jan 6: Housatonic Valley Group/The Sierra Club meeting, Newtown Congregational Church House, 41-A Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free, program by Hope Douglas from Wind Over Wings will incl live demonstrations by birds of prey & presentation about the Clinton-based animal rehabilitation and education center, all welcome; 775-9644.

Jan 10: Champagne & Celebration: Holiday Celebration w/ Alliance Française of Northwestern CT, at St Margaret’s-McTernan School, 565 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury, 1:30-5:30 pm, tickets $26 for full afternoon, $12 students, $5 ages 11 & under, $10 adults for performance only, afternoon of coffee, pastry & games will feature performance by Josée Vachon of traditional & contemporary folk songs, reservations requested ASAP; 364-1224, 203-263-4096.

Jan 11: Bingo, Fun & Friends at Congregational Adath Israel, 111 Huntingtown Rd, Newtown, begins 3 pm, adm $1 (incl one Bingo card, addt’l cards 50¢ each, all ages welcome & a variety of prizes available incl one-hour massages, restaurant gift certificates, stuffed animals & more, reservations requested (but not mandatory); 426-7801, 268-1342.

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

Free public programs: Jan 13, discussion of Amy Tan’s The Kitchen God’s Wife, 7 pm.

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

Programs free unless noted: Jan 15, Evening Book Club, 7:30 pm, discussion of Tony Horowitz’s Confederates in The Attic, newcomers welcome.

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

Wednesday Evening Events series, 7:30-8:30 pm, sm donation requested, programs follow weekly museum member meetings, subjects as follows, call if inclement weather: Jan 7, “Eastern Fan Trips: Steam of 70s” by Dan Gallo Jr; Jan 14, slides by Pete McLachlan.

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 Jan 2.

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.

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.

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: Dec 31, no poetry program; Jan 7, Diva Night 2004, open mic w/ no feature; Jan 14, Charles Rafferty; Jan 21, Iyaba Mandingo; Jan 28, Elizabeth Thomas.

Theatre ______________

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

La Cage Aux Folles: 20th Anniversary, through Feb 8, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $37.50-$45.50.

Hartford Stage, 50 Church St, Hartford. Call 860-527-5151.

A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas, through Dec 28, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun-Thurs 7:30 pm, call for mat schedule (selected Wed, Sat & Sun).

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

On Stage II: A New War, through Jan 18, curtain Wed-Sat 8 pm, Sun & Tues 7 pm, mat Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $38-$55.

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

A Taffeta Christmas, through Jan 4, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 students & seniors, cabaret seating, theater opens one hour before performance.

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

Nuncrackers: The Nunsense Christmas Musical, through Dec 28, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $22-$25; also (Sat) Dec 27, 2 pm.

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

 Dirty Blonde, through Jan 3, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, Sun (Dec 21 only) 2 pm, tickets $15; also Dec 31, New Year’s Eve Gala Performance, 8 pm, tickets $30, full production also hors d’oeuvres & open bar.

 

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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.