Antiques Shows______

March 27: 12th Annual Country Antiques in CT’s Quiet Corner, Ellis Technical School, 613 Upper Middle St, Danielson, 10 am-3 pm (early buying 9 am, $10), adm $5, dealers from CT, MA, ME, NH, RI & VT, gourmet lunch & dessert available; 860-774-8511.

March 27-28: 30th Edition Cheshire Academy Antiques Show, Cheshire Academy, Rte 10 at Rte 68, Cheshire, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 10:30 am-4 pm, adm $6; 860-342-2540.

March 27-28: 28th Annual Nutmeg Depression Glass Club Depression Glass Show & Sale, Southington High School, 720 Pleasant St, Southington, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-4 pm, adm $4.50, free glass ID; 860-628-5389, 860-559-6313.

April 3: 7th Annual Meridian Lodge Antiques Show & Sale, Maloney High School, 121 Gravel St, Meriden, 10 am-3 pm (early buying 9 am, $10), adm $4.50; 203-440-1625.

April 4: Windham Antiques & Collectibles Show, Windham High School cafeteria, 355 High St, Willimantic, 10 am-4 pm (early buying 9 am, $5), regular adm $3.50; 860-456-2178 (Mill Museum).

April 4: 60th edition Greater Hartford Vintage Clothing & Jewelry Show & Sale, Emanuel Synagogue, Mohegan Dr, West Hartford, 10:30 am-4 pm, adm $5, 50 booths; 860-342-2540.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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 May 3, “Inside Out: The Paintings of Helene Brier”; March 27, opening reception, 4-6 pm (artist’s talk at 5).

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) March 27-April 25, “New York City Underground,” mosaic tile pcs by the Fairfield artist Mark Maiocco replicating NYC subway stop mosaics; March 27, opening reception, 6-9 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.

*(new show) April 4-22, “A Taste of Italy,” photographs by the Newtown couple Rita Frost & Francis Caro of the Italian countryside, architecture & food; April 4, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

Also on view: Through April 16, “Journal Pages,” quilted wall hangings by 8 members of The Scrapbag Quilters: 8½ by 11-inch panels each represent one month of quilt artist’s life during 2003.

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.

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.

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

Through March 30, “Earth, Wind & Fire,” monotypes & mixed media collages by Tracey O’Connell Sperry.

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 April 12, “Nature Impressions,” multi-hued artistic quilts “capturing the rich beauties of the natural world in fabric” by Sandra Scott.

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.

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

Through 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.

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 May 23, “New/Now: Irene Hardwicke Olivieri,” paintings by Ms Olivieri, who translates the relationship between the natural world & her own life in colorful, mysterious images.

*(new show) April 4-May 23, “Jeremiah Goodman’s Interiors,” paintings of interiors by NY artist that are imbued w/ the spirit of their inhabitants & reflect the interests & tastes of the rich & famous incl Greta Garbo, Sir John Gielgud, Mary Martin, Richard & Dorothy Rodgers, Diana Vreeland, Ronald & Nancy Reagan, et al; April 4, artist’s talk, 3 pm; April 4, opening reception, 4-6 pm.

*(new show) April 4-July 3, “Burchfield & Marsh: Exaggerated Visions,” 60 watercolors, oil paintings & drawings, incl many by Marsh that have never been on public view; April 4, opening reception, 4-6 pm; April 7, Art Happy Hour, 5:30-7 pm, program at 6 by NBMAA director Douglas Hyland on “Wild Side: Town & Country Viewed by Marsh & Burchfield.”

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

*(new show) March 28-April 25, “2004 Winners’ Circle,” the 10 winners from RGA’s 26th Annual Juried Show (presented during fall 2003) return for a group exhibition of their work; March 28, opening reception, 2-5 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.

Through March 28, “Recent Work,” still lifes by Christine Hartman, still lifes & landscapes by Tina Re, landscapes by Tom Yost.

*(new show) April 3-25, “Members’ Show 2004,” drawings, paintings in oil, acrylic & watercolor, sculpture & pottery by artists ranging from top professional, gallery-represented artists to beginners waiting to be discovered; April 3, opening reception, 3-5 pm.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Brookfield Arts Commission. Call 740-2801.

May 29: Dancers & singers, food vendors, artists & crafters being sought for International Cultural Festival, will run on Brookfield Town Hall property, 12-4 pm, contact Joanne Hunter ASAP for details.

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.

Friends of Easton Library, Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center Rd), Easton. Call 445-8318.

April 7: Crafters sought for 1st Annual Easton Public Library Jewelry & Craft Show, will be April 24 (10 am-3 pm), tables available for $50, contact Gina Orticelli at above # for details.

Musicals at Richter, Richter Arts Center, 100 Aunt Hack Rd, Danbury. Call 748-6873.

April 1: Alumni Night auditions, by appt only, for mainstage musicals (Hello Dolly! June 17-July 3; State Fair, July 8-24; & Annie, July 29-Aug 14) & Fairy Tale Theatre (adaptations of Velveteen Rabbit, Pied Piper of Hamlin, Jungle Book & Sleeping Beauty), show descriptions & cast breakdowns at www.MusicalsAtRichter.org.

April 2-4: Open adult auditions for above musicals, Fri 7-10 pm, Sat 2-8 pm, Sun 1-5 pm, bring photo & résumé, prepare 2 Broadway showtunes (1 uptempo, 1 ballad) that show range (bring sheet music in key & be prepared to sing only best 16 measures if necessary), be prepared to learn short dance combo & to read from script; ALSO specialty dancers sought for featured choreography in Dolly & Fair (esp those w/ gymnastics, ballet & jazz backgrounds); ALSO performer w/ stilt walking talents needed for State Fair.

April 3: Youth casting, 10 am-1 pm, for Annie (title role & other orphans), State Fair boys & girls for ensemble) & Fairy Tale Theater (all roles, no singing ability needed), 10 am-1 pm, prepare 1 each Broadway uptempo & ballad, be prepared to read from script.

Volunteers also needed (all shows) for backstage duties (set construction, costumes, crew, etc) & front-of-house (house mgt, ushering & concessions).

Sherman Players, Sherman Playhouse, Rte 37 at 39 (behind firehouse), Sherman. Call 860-355-4394.

April 3-4: Auditions for A Chorus Line, director Lanny Mitchell seeks 8 men & 9 women of ethnic diversity, ages 17-30, who sing, dance & act, several “cut” dancers (singers & dancers only, no speaking lines) ages 17-30 also needed, also male actor for role of Zack (any age), singers & dancers must be prepared w/ song & sheet music & be ready to learn a dance combo – Sat, April 3 (dancers only, at Let’s Dance Studios, 994 Federal Rd, Brookfield), 3-7 pm; Sun, April 4 (actors & singers), 3-7 pm.

                 

Concerts, Musical Events ____

March 27: “A Cinderella Fantasy” by Ridgefield Opera Company, at Keeler Tavern Garden Room, 132 Main St/Rte 35, Ridgefield, 4 pm, tickets $25, performance will feature singers from Metropolitan Opera, New York City Opera & local celebrities performing selections from Cendrillon and La Cenerentola and the comedic romp “The True Story of Cinderella”; 203-438-5170.

March 28: CT Alumni Senior Drum & Bugle Corps concert & open house, Great Hill Methodist Church, 225 Great Hill Rd, Seymour, performance 1:30 pm, followed by opportunity to meet members of corps, new members always welcome, light refreshments; 203-729-5179, 203-732-2326.

April 3: 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.

April 3: US Army Field Band & Soldiers Chorus at Nonnewaug High School, 5 Minortown Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free performance, tickets required; 203-263-2890.

April 3: Flaming Saddles: CT Gay Men’s Chorus Spring Spectacular, WCSU Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $25 & $30, satirical musical romp through today’s biggest headlines; 800-644-2462.

April 4: 4th Annual St Rose Festival Chorus Performance, St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 7 pm, performance of Clydesdale’s I Am for chorus and orchestra, also opera highlights, by St Rose music ministries and Litchfield Hills Opera Ensemble; 426-1014.

April 4: Trio di Camerati at New Preston Congregational Church, Church St, New Preston, 3 pm, tickets $10/advance, $12/door, works of Washburn, Muczynski & Haydn, also debut of work written for trio by Larry Deming; 860-567-1972.

April 4: Irish Traditional Music & Song at The Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, Black Rock section of Bridgeport, 4 pm, adm $15 adults, $5 children & seniors, all-stars direct from Ireland incl members of Nomos, The Karen Casey Band & Lunsa featuring Niall Zallely (concertina), Cillian Zallely (Uillean pipes) & Paul Meehan (guitar); 203-367-7917.

Fireside Inn, 123 Main St South/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-7001.

Ballroom, Latin & Swing Dance Party, every Wed 7-11 pm, $12, singles & couples welcome for free dance lessons (7:30), buffet dinner (8), open dancing to DJ selections, dressy attire (no jeans).

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

April 2-3, performance of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, 8 pm, tickets $15-$57 ($7 students w/ ID), conducted by Edward Cumming (who will announce first half of program from prodium) (free concert preview, 7 pm, hosted by Maestro Cumming & incl performances by students of Hartt School).

Friday matinee series, at Greater Hartford Jewish Community Center, 335 Bloomfield Ave, West Hartford:

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: March 27, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, $30, nation’s premier repertory chamber ensemble will offer world premier tour of Maw String Quartet, also performance of Dvorak’s Sextet for Strings in A minor (performance preceded by “Art To Heart” discussion w/ journalist Robert Sherman, 7-7:40 pm); April 3, “Ute Lemper: All That Jazz!” $40-$50, the German-born vocalist w/ unique voice & facility w/ cabaret songs will bring latest show to Fairfield.

Films _________________

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

March 26-April 1: Eternal Sunshine of The Spotless Mind (R), daily 7:20 & 9:30 pm, mat Fri 4:15 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 & 4:15 pm; Goodbye Lenin (R), daily 7:05 & 9:30 pm, mat Fri 4:15 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:40 & 4:15 pm; The Ladykillers (R), daily 7:35 & 9:50 pm, mat Fri 5:10 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 12:40, 2:55 & 5:10 pm; The Passion of The Christ (R), daily 6:45 & 9:20 pm, mat Fri 4 pm, Sat-Sun, Wed 1:20 & 4 pm.

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

March 28: Trois Couleurs: Bleu, 2 pm, in French w/ subtitles.

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

March 26-31: Cheaper By The Dozen (PG), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat-Sun 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Through April 1: Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, Mon-Fri 11 am, 1 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 11 am, 1, 3 & 4 pm; Whales, daily 12 & 2 pm (also double feature w/ Volcanoes of the Deep Sea,

For Kids & Families _________

March 27: “A Window Into Waldorf: Educating Through The Arts,” at Newtown Middle School, Queen St, Newtown, 10 am-noon, exhibition of art & performance of songs, poetry, instrumental music & exercises from current studies by students in grades 1-7 of Housatonic Valley Waldorf School; 364-1113.

March 29: Rabbi Shaul Praver at Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 4 pm, free program for children in grades 1-4 by rabbi of Newtown’s Congregation Adath Israel will celebrate food, songs, games & dancing of Passover Seder & the universal theme of freedom, reservations requested; 452-5459.

April 2: Kindergarten Friday at Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe, 1:30 pm, free (registration requested/space limited), kindergarteners (or children age 5) invited to special program of games, stories & craft or video, continues first Fri/month into May; 452-5459.

April 3: Easter Egg Hunt for All Ages, The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd, Newtown, 1:30 pm, games & prizes, arts & crafts, photos w/ Easter Bunny, RSVP requested; 426-8118.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: April 3, Pinocchio: the puppet show, 1 pm, ages 4-10 invited to presentation by Junior Girl Scout Troop 809 to also incl easy craft program, registration requested (repeats April 10 & 17); April 3, Spring Craft Workshop, 1-2 pm, $3 (material fee, due at registration), ages 6 & older invited to join Marie Walker for spring-related crafts time.

Devil’s Den Preserve, 33 Pent Rd, Weston. Call 226-4991.

All events free, no pets (even on leashes), reservations required: April 4, “Let There Be Light!” 1-3:30 pm, join Frank Conway to celebrate the end of of early darkness & beginning of spring w/ 3.5-mile hike suitable for beginners & younger hikers.

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

Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Gingerbread Doll (double feature), through April 10, curtain Sat-Sun 12 & 2:30 pm, tickets $12.50, group discounts available.

Monroe Public Library, 7 Fan Hill Rd, Monroe. Call 452-5458.

Reading Adventures, 7 pm, parent & child book discussion series for grades 3-4, newcomers welcome, titles follow: March 30, The Knights of The Kitchen Table by Jon Scieszka.

New Pond Farm, 101 Marchant Rd, West Redding. Call 203-938-2117.

Special Events: April 3, Annual Old-Fashioned Easter Egg Hunt, 11 am (rain date April 10), $12 (parents don’t pay, but must stay on-site), different areas for each age group, prizes for all, registration suggested/space limited.

Playhouse on The Green (formerly Polka Dot Playhouse), 177 State St, Bridgeport. Call 203-345-4800 x150.

Polka Dot Kids Theatre Series, monthly series w/ guest performers, shows at 10 am & noon, tickets $12, series tickets & group discounts available: April 3, Cookin’ with Gary Rosen, performance by children’s musician suitable for entire family, food drive for local food banks will be taking place.

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): March 27, Where Is That Bear? by The Paper Bag Players, “back w/ their usual vignettes using everything but the kitchen sink.”

Miscellaneous ___________

March 26: Fabulous 50s Sock Hop at Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave, Bridgeport, 6-10 pm, tickets $20 (age 21 & over only), diner-style dinner (burgers & fries, soft drinks), cash bar, dance to music from 1950s, dress in 50s attire, 50s car display will be along zoo’s entryway (weather permitting), also Elvis performance by Brian Martin; 203-394-6565.

March 26: Housatonic Habitat for Humanity 2nd Annual “Dream Builder’s Gala,” Candlewood Inn, Candlewood Lake Rd, Brookfield, 6:30-11 pm, tickets $125, black tie optional affair will feature full dinner, dancing to J&B 2000 Band, open bar & silent auction, all proceeds will support HH’s mission to eliminate substandard housing from Danbury area; 744-1340.

March 27: “A Window Into Waldorf: Educating Through The Arts,” at Newtown Middle School, Queen St, Newtown, 11 am, exhibition of art & performance of songs, poetry, instrumental music & exercises from current studies by students in grades 1-7 of Housatonic Valley Waldorf School; 364-1113.

March 27: 19th Annual Breath of Spring Craft Show, New Fairfield High School, Gillotti Rd, New Fairfield, 10 am-4 pm, 80 artisans featured, homemade baked goods, photos w/ Easter Bunny, refreshments; 746-2823.

March 27: “French for The Fearful & Tongue-Tied,” Teikyo Post Univ Drubner Building Room 209, Country Club Rd (off Rte 63), Waterbury, 1-3 pm, help overcome a fear of speaking French through reading & discussion of intermediate-level written articles, pronunciation, grammar & building confidence in non-threatening environment all stressed, presented by Alliance Française of NW CT; 203-756-6362.

March 27: Author & editor Marion Skedgell at Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury, 2 pm, editor of 100+ books & author will discuss her career in the world of publishing incl her latest release, Double Exposure; 860-350-2181.

March 27: “Bid Adieu To Winter” Benefit Evening, The Mattatuck Museum, 144 West Main St, Waterbury, 6:30-11:30 pm, tickets $25, gourmet cuisine, cash bar, silent & live auction (live auction conducted by Wayne Mattox), proceeds benefit Mitchell Elementary School (Woodbury); 203-263-4498.

March 27: “Wine, Music & Good Times,” Temple B’nai Israel, 444 Main St North, Southbury, 7-9 pm, tickets $15 (2 for $25), wine tastings, hors d’oeuvres, desserts & coffee, music, free raffle, silent auction w/ tickets for Dangerfield’s Comedy Club, air & plane museums, movie tickets, NFL games, sports memorabilia & more; 267-3394.

March 27: Ballroom Dance at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 4070 Park Ave, Bridgeport, 7 pm-midnight (dance lessons at 8, performance by Gherman Mustuc & Iveta Lukosiute, recent 10-dance winners in Washington’s Yuletide Ball), $15, singles & couples welcome, complimentary snacks; 203-374-7308.

March 27: 19th Anniversary Bash: CT Contact Singles Dance, Colonial Tavern, Rte 67, Oxford, 8 pm-1 am, $15, dancing to DJ selections, dinner & dessert buffets, jackets/dressy attire (no jeans); 203-468-1144.

March 27-28: A Spring Shower of Quilts X: CT Piecemakers’ Quilt Guild Annual Show, Seymour Middle School, 211 Mountain Rd, Seymour, 10 am-5 pm both days, adm $6 adults, $1 ages 3-12, hundreds of “extraordinary quilts created by ordinary people,” vendor area, free demos & lectures, quilt raffle, more; 261-2969.

March 28: 6th Annual Antiques Appraisals Day, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 2-5 pm, verbal appraisals $5/item *(limit 3 items per visit), appraisals by Jack DeStories, Tucker Frey, Wayne Mattox & Steve Stieglitz, bring items if at all poss, photos accepted for vy large items), proceeds benefit Newtown Historical Scty; 426-5937.

March 28: Danbury Coin Club Coin & Currency Show, Sheraton Hotel, 18 Old Ridgebury Rd, Danbury, 10 am-4 pm, free adm, 30 tables w/ dealers from across Northeast w/ US & foreign coins, paper money, supplies & other numismatic items, limited appraisal services; 746-7531.

March 28: “Women Botanical Artists, 1700-1990,” Burnham Library, 62 Main St South/Rte 133, Bridgewater, 3 pm, free slide talk by Patricia Carr will celebrate the paintings & drawings of Mrs Delany, Marianne North, Isabella Smith, Margaret Mee, et al; 860-354-6937.

March 28: “The Best Preventative & Restorative: Meditation and Yoga,” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, free public program by nurse practitioner Mary Ellen Porrata will be followed by group meditation & tea reception; 203-263-2254.

March 28: “Open Visions Forum: Fred Graham,” Fairfield Univ Quick Center, North Benson Rd, Fairfield, 7:30 pm, tickets $22 (discounts for students & seniors), chief anchor & managing editor of Court TV will continue annual lecture series; 203-254-4000 x2726.

March 30: “Love & Knishes: Pierce Campbell in Concert,” Walzer Family Jewish Community Campus, 444 Main St North, Southbury, $5.50 suggested donation, lunch at noon, program at 1, singer-songwriter Campbell will perform American classics, songs of the sea, Irish favorites & campfire songs; 267-3177 x105.

March 30: “Robert Templeton: Artist, Portraitist, Chronicler of History,” Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 7:15 pm, free talk by the artist’s widow, Leonore Templeton, will offer intimate look at the remarkable development, life & art by painter of some of most powerful figures in America; 203-263-3502.

March 31: “Simply Sauté” cooking program, The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd/Rte 6, Newtown, 1:30 pm, free and open to public (reservations requested), 90-minute program by chef & author Silvia Bianco (Simply Sauté: Fast, Easy and Healthy Italian Cooking, All In One Pan) will show attendees how to create a full meal using one sauté pan in less than 40 minutes, book signing follows; 426-8118.

April 1: “How Parenting Can Encourage Self-Esteem,” call for program location (Newtown), 7 pm, $10/person, $15/couple, parenting workshop from The Parent Connection and led by Family Counseling Center clinical director Kim Scott will explore how families can increase and sustain children’s self-esteem especially during adolescence; 270-4335.

April 2: Janet Wallach at First Congregational Church, 6 Kirby Rd, Washington Depot, 7 pm, free lecture by co-founder of Seeds of Peace; 860-868-7334 x251.

April 3: Easter Egg Hunt for All Ages, The Homesteads at Newtown, 166 Mt Pleasant Rd, Newtown, 1:30 pm, games & prizes, arts & crafts, photos w/ Easter Bunny, RSVP requested; 426-8118.

April 3: 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.

April 3: Spring Crafts Fair, Kensington Green, Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 10 am-3 pm, fundraiser for CT chapter/Alzheimer’s Assn; 267-7100.

April 3: “CT Poetry Society: CPS Celebrates Nat’l Poetry Month” at Southbury Public Library, 561 Main St South/Rte 6, Southbury, 1-4 pm, free adm, readings by winners of CPS’s 2003-04 contests, readings & book signings by published poet & teacher Margaret Gibson, also open mic readings, light refreshments; 860-584-2857.

April 3: American Cancer Society’s 12th Annual Spring Charity Ball, The Amber Room, Stacey Rd (off Rte 37), Danbury, 7 pm-midnight, tickets $175/person, $300/couple, theme of evening is Retro (black tie/retro chic), cocktail hour, dinner at 8, silent auction, dancing, recognition of Angel Award honoree Dr David Berger & Spring Charity Ball honoree Peggy Gilmore; 563-0744 x238.

April 3-4: “Spring Into Spring: St Rose of Lima Easter Boutique & Plant Sale,” St Rose Parish Hall, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, Sat 10 am-7 pm, Sun 8 am-2 pm, Easter plants, decorations from around the world, treats & goodies.

April 3-4: 14th Annual Model Train Exhibition, Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, Rte 133 at 25, Brookfield Center, 10 am-4 pm, adm $3 adults, $1 ages 7-14, free ages 6 & under, working layouts, railroad memorabilia, signs & sounds, trains available for children to operate; 740-8140.

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: March 28, Mating Dance of American Woodcock, 6 pm, sugg donation $5, participants will have opportunity to witness courtship dance of American Woodcock, meet at welcome kiosk & dress for outdoors; April 4, Mating Dance of American Woodcock, 7 pm, sugg donation $5, participants will have opportunity to witness courtship dance of American Woodcock, meet at welcome kiosk & dress for outdoors, optional moonlight walk follows.

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

Programs free unless noted: March 27, Computer Class for Intermediate-Level Users, 9 am-noon, $10, registration required; March 30, Author Program: Phil Steele, 7 pm, son of humorist & broadcasting legend Bob Steele will discuss his father’s career & his book The Word Of The Day: Sixty-Five Years of Wit, Wisdom and Mispronunciation; March 31, blood pressure screenings, 10 am-noon, no appt necessary, conducted by registered nurse, related info also available; April 1, “Can Great Literature Be Funny?” program, 7:30 pm, discussion of Shakespeare’s As You Like It concludes discussion series co-hosted by Liz Arneth & Gordon Williams, newcomers welcome; April 2, cooking demo & wine tasting, 7 pm, secrets of cooking vegetarian recipes by Claire Criscuolo (owner, Claire’s Corner Copia, New Haven) & discussion of tasting wine by local expert Steve Small; April 4, opening reception for “A Taste of Italy,” photography exhibition w/ works of Rita Frost & Francis Caro, 4 pm, show on view until April 22; April 6, book discussion, 1 pm, H.W. Brands’ The First American: The Life and Times of Benjamin Franklin; April 6, “Why Is She Smiling?” 7:30 pm, program by art historian Joy Pepe on da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa.”

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

March 27, Tracking in The Woods, 1- am-noon, $15, all ages welcome to learn how to identify & track animals, also learn basic survival skills useful for winter months.

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

Maple Syrup Days, through March 30, daily 10 am-5 pm weather permitting, $5, tractor rides, maple syrup tastings & sugar house tours, reservations requested for groups.

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: March 27, Orenaque Park, Woodbury (Ildiko Gramling, 203-263-0086), short hike will be followed by end-of-season potluck lunch, call for food coordination.

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

Monthly “Meet & Mingle” events, 7-9 pm:

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.

 

Theatre ______________

New Zenith Theatre, at Naugatuck Valley Community College MainStage Theatre, 750 Chase Pkwy, Waterbury. Call 203-575-8193.

The Secret Garden, April 1-4, curtain Thurs-Sat 7:30 pm, mat Sun 2 pm, tickets $12 adults, $10 seniors, $6 students.

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

The Vagina Monologues, through April 3, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 seniors & students, doors open one hour before performance; play has adult themes & language.

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

The Matchmaker, through April 25, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Thurs, Sat-Sun 2 pm, tickets $24-$38.50.