Antiques Shows______

Saturdays (weekly to Oct 26): Bethlehem Flea Market, Bethlehem Fairgrounds, 384 Main St North/Rte 61, 6 am-1 pm, free adm & parking, 200 spaces will offer antiques & collectibles, plants & flowers, organic foods & farmer’s market, artisans & crafters, food, machinery & equipment & much more; 860-618-2940.

Sundays (through Dec): Elephant’s Trunk Country Flea Market, Rte 7, New Milford, 7 am-2:30 pm (early buying 5:45 am, $20), adm $2, free ages 12 & under, leave pets home, vendors offer antiques, collectibles & misc, refreshments available; 508-896-1975.

Sundays (through fall): 8th season Clinton Village Antiques & Collectibles Flea Market, 327 East Main St/Rte 1, Clinton; 860-669-3839.

June 7: 46th Annual Outdoor Ridgefield Antiques Market, The Lounsbury House/Ridgefield Community Center, 316 Main St/Rte 25, Ridgefield, 8 am-4 pm rain or shine, no early buyers, adm $7; 203-438-6962.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

Through May 18: “Art in The House,” The Bradley Hubbell House, 535 Black Rock Tpke, Easton, Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, free adm, juried exhibition of 52 works by artists from 15 CT towns & one neighboring state as selected by juror Virginia Zic, proceeds from sale of art & sculpture will benefit Bradley Hubbell House Restoration Fund; 374-0705.

Aldrich Museum of Contemporary Art, 258 Main St, Ridgefield. Hours: Tues-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-438-4519.

Through May 26: “Charlotte Schulz: An Insufficiency in Our Screens,” first solo museum exhibition by artist who participated in Aldrich’s 2003 Radius program features 2- & 3-dimension charcoal drawings that “invite the viewer to explore strange composite architectural spaces in which dreams blend w/ memory & reality.”

Barn Hill Studio & Gallery, Rte 110, Monroe. Hours: Fri-Sat 12-6. Call 268-4225.

Through June 8: “Breaking New Ground: Art from the Garden – A Spring Celebration of Women Painters,” featuring paintings by Barbara Bernstein &  Beverly Branch, also garden sculpture by Joe DeMarco, watercolors by Florence Dohanos, photography by Lynn A. Traverse, paintings & sculpture by Julia Provey, photography by Edmond Ross, ceramic art by Linda Dohanos, and prints by Stevan Dohanos.

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 1-5 pm. Call 426-4533.

In Olga Knoepke Meeting Room (lower meeting room) — Through May 31: “Wesley’s Little Masters,” works in various mediums by more than 150 students of the Sandy Hook-based school.

In first floor display cases — *(new show) May 18-July 1: “Jean Mann, MC: Carved Porcelain,” 2-4 pm, C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main Street, 200± pcs of hand carved porcelain, some done as wall hangings & others as table-top pcs, all by the New Fairfield-based master artist & teacher Jean Mann; May 18, opening reception, 2-4 pm.

On library’s main floor — Through May 31: “The Regis Roman Leven Collection,” Limoges & Herend china pcs collected by the late Newtown resident & donated to library by her husband, Gary Leven, in his wife’s honor.

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

Featured Artist of the Month, special presentations in BCC Gift Shop: Through May 31: jewelry & paintings by Pat Gullet, who also teaches at BCC; May 18, Meet the Artist Reception, 2-4 pm.

Brookfield Museum & Historical Society, 165 Whisconier Rd (Rtes 133 & 25), Brookfield Center. Hours: Sat 12-4 pm, first Sun of month, by appt & chance. Call 740-8140.

Through Sept 1: “The Brookfield Attic,” summer exhibition will share some of more than 30,000 artifacts from museum’s permanent collection incl paintings, textiles, photos, handcrafts, Native American artifacts & info on early settlers, all which tell “rich & unique history of the town.”

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Hours: Mon 10 am-5 pm, Tues-Wed 10 am-8 pm, Thurs 10 am-6 pm, Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am-3 pm. Call 261-0134.

Through June 30: “Six Star Legacy: The World War II Diorama Military Art of Combat Artist Richard Dana Kuchta.”

Through summer: found object sculpture on library’s front lawn incl totem pole constructed of old propane tanks, motorcycle riders formed from car parts & kinetic sculptures that move in the wind.

Fenn Gallery of Contemporary Art, 345 Main Street/Rte 6, Woodbury. Hours: Wed-Sun 12-5 pm. Call 203-263-2821.

*(new show) Through June 22: encaustic paintings by Patricia Carrigan, contemporary landscapes by Dido Thayer & sculpture by Carrie McGee.

Gallery of Contemporary Art at Sacred Heart Univ, 5151 Park Ave, Fairfield. Call 203-365-7650.

Through May 29: “Contemporary Fiber,” contemporary works being created in the fiber art field incl art quilts, weaving, sculpture, installation, video performance art, cutting edge fiber art & embroidery, offering a range of contemporary work from traditional methodology to cutting edge w/ digital approaches, by 22 fiber artists as juried by Nisha Drinkard; note: show will be closed Memorial Day weekend.

Gregory James Gallery, 13 Main St (on the green), New Milford. Hours: Mon-Fri 10 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun & eves by appt. Call 860-354-3436.

Through May 28: “Spring Show 2008,” first show of new season will feature 50-plus works by regional artists incl Christine Debroski, Frank Federico, Robert Ferrucci, Vincent Giarrano, Christopher Magadini, Bill Rice, Lorraine Ryan, Anda Styler, Danielle Wexler, et al.

Litchfield Historical Society, 7 South St, Kent. Hours (mid-April to Nov): Tues-Sat 11 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 860-567-4501.

Through Nov 30: “To Please Any Taste: Litchfield County Furniture and Furniture Makers, 1780-1830,” exploration of regional furniture & its makers focuses on identifying style, construction techniques & regional attributes, also interpretation of the furniture as a reflection of the rapid economic & social changes in Litchfield during time period of exhibition dates; May 16, “Hartford’s Role in the Origins of Antique Collecting in America,” 5:30 pm, free lecture by William Hosley at St Michael’s Church House, 25 South St, Litchfield, registration required, reception to follow at museum; May 30, “Litchfield’s Colonial Revival Collectors and Dealers,” 5:30 pm, free lecture by Lynne Brickley at St Michael’s Church House, 25 South St, Litchfield, registration required, reception to follow at museum.

Mark Twain Library, Diamond Hill Rd at Rte 53, Redding. Hours: Mon-Thurs 10 am-7 pm, Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. Call 203-938-2545.

Through May 30: “Heat and Pressure – 100 Years of Bakelite,” 250+ rare Bakelite objects & related materials assembled from the Amsterdam Bakelite Collection owned by Reindert Groot.

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

Through July 11: “An American Icon: Little Miss Sunbeam,” photos & memorabilia from the Reymond family archive, the family behind Reymond Baking Company, the first to wrap bread, introduce sliced bread, protect flour from contamination, and use the “batter whipped” process of blending ingredients that produced the smooth-textured bread that was the favorite of many Connecticut families.

Through Aug 10: “Merging Cultures: Latin American and Caribbean Art and Life in Connecticut,” presentation of work by diverse group of 12 CT-based artists whose work expresses how immigration affected their lives as newcomers to greater Waterbury region & how CT Latinos view their integration into community, curated by Ben Ortiz & featuring mixed media works by Diane Barcelo, photography by Pablo Delano, dominoes series “Dominonation” by Ernest Lopez, video installation by Carmen Lynch, photography by Marlo Marrero, works by Ricky Mestra, paintings by Dovian Montoya & Lisie Orjuela, mixed media sculpture by Victor Pacheco, photocollages by Debra Roinestad & photographs combined w/ objects exploring the Latina experience by Ruenitz.

Mocha Coffee House, 3 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook. Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30 am-9 pm, Sat 7:30 am-10 pm, Sun 9 am-7 pm. Call 364-9200.

Through May 31: handmade spirit dolls by local artist Paul Brinkman.

Morrison Gallery, Kent Village Barns, 8 Old Barn Rd (near Rte 7 at Rte 341), Kent. Hours: Wed-Sat 10:30 am-5:30 pm, Sun 1-4 pm. Call 860-927-4501.

Through May 25: more than 15 new oil paintings by celebrated Italian artist Alberto Mancini & 6 bronze sculptures by John Balsamo.

Peabody Museum of Natural History, 170 Whitney Ave, New Haven. Call 203-432-5050.

Through July 19: “Las Artes de Mexico,” celebration of rich & diverse artistic traditions of Mexico from ancient worlds of Mayas & Aztecs to great 20th Century works of Miguel Covarrubias, Jose Clemente Orozco & Diego Rivera, also pre-Colombian artifacts, Mexican textiles.

Sherman Library, 1 Sherman Center, Sherman. Hours: Tues-Fri 11 am-6 pm, Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-354-2455.

*(new show) Through May 31: “The Wisdom of Water,” photographs by Marc Isolda & Cynthia O’Connor incl silver gelatin & giclée prints capturing the beauty, power & serenity of water; May 17, artists’ reception, 4:30-6:30 pm.

Washington Art Association, 4 Bryan Plaza, Rte 47, Washington Depot. Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 am-5 pm, Sunday 12-5 pm. Call 860-868-2878.

Through June 1: “Water, Water Everywhere…,” paper lithographs by Roxanne Faber Savage, graphic designs by Paul Manlove & oil paintings by Greta Waller, “three artists … whose freedom of invention taken them to personal expressions in print, graphic design & oils w/ a refreshing twist.”.

Wisdom House/Marie Louise Trichet Gallery, 229 East Litchfield Rd, Litchfield. Hours: Mon-Sat 10 am-4 pm. Call 860-567-3163.

Through July 11: “Life With Clay – 35 Years,” exhibition of works by Joy Brown.

Yale Center For British Art, 1080 Chapel St (at High St), New Haven. Call 203-432-2800.

Through June 1: “A New World: England’s First View of America,” nearly 100 works by John White, the person most responsible for shaping England’s view of America & its inhabitants after reaching Virginia (present-day North Carolina) in 1585, incl all of White’s drawings of Algonquian Indians, his maps & charts, watercolors of Inuit & North American & West Indian plants & animals, depictions of ancient Britons, also associated works by his contemporaries; May 18, exhibition tour, 2 pm.

Through June 8: “Figuring Women” The Female in Modern British Art – An ‘Art in Focus’ Student Guide Exhibition,” second annual student curated exhibition examines the representation of women in British art from Victorian period to today through 34 objects incl sev paintings & sculptures that will be displayed for first time in YCBA’s fourth floor, w/ emphasis of exhibition to create “striking juxtapositions between works of art rather than more traditional chronological display.”

Yale University Art Gallery, 1111 Chapel St at York, New Haven. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-6 pm. Call 203-432-0600.

Through June 8: “Master Drawings from the Yale University Art Gallery,” approx 85 drawings from gallery’s collection providing survey of European draftsmanship from late 15th to mid 19th Centuries, ranging from early studies in late medieval model book tradition to beginnings of modern art, in all genres, types & mediums from a range of national schools, offering first full exploration of the works in 30+ years.

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Apple Festival at Saint Peter’s Episcopal Church, 175 Old Tannery Rd, Monroe. Call 268-4265.

Sept 6-7: Artists & craftspeople invited for annual Apple Festival, to be held on Monroe Green, Sat, Sept 6, 10 am-5 pm & Sun, Sept 7, 10 am-4 pm, contact Judy Hamilton in parish office (phone # above) for details.

Black Rock Art Walk, through International Performing Arts, Inc., Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-366-3667.

Applications due for artists interested in Black Rock Art Walks 2008, 6-9 pm 1st & 3rd Fri/month, May 2-Oct 3 (no walk July 4), area artists & craftspeople set up works along sidewalks of Fairfield Ave (betw Brewster St & Gilman St), if rain event moves into Black Rock Art Center, contact Mary Lou Morong at phone # above, PaddleShell@yahoo.com or info@BlackRockArtWalk.org, or visit BlackRockArtWalk.org for details & application.

Oxford Day, Oxford High School, 61 Quaker Farms Rd, Oxford. Call 203-888-2468.

June 7: Artists & crafters invited to apply for inaugural event to be held at high school, will run 10 am-5 m (rain date June 8), seeking handmade crafts, also fine art incl watercolors, oils, acrylics, pastels, photography & sculpture, all must be original & available for purchase.

Pomperaug Woods, 80 Heritage Rd, Southbury. Call 267-2899 x186.

June 7: Artists & crafters invited to exhibit & sell work for Senior Art Show & 20th Anniversary Celebration, 1-4 pm, original handmade work accepted, vendors must provide their own tents, call Becky Butler or Lisa Huebenthal for info.

Town Players of New Canaan, Powerhouse Performing Arts Center, Waveny Park, New Canaan. Call 914-953-2710.

May 19-21: Auditions to The Fantasticks, open auditions Mon-Tues, callbacks (if needed) Wed, all begin 7:30 pm, director Michael Day has openings for 6 men & 2 women of varying ages & voices for production based on book & lyrics by Tom Jones, music by Harvey Schmidt, w/ producers Lynne Bolton & Sheri Dean, music director Stan Wietrzychowski, for production to be staged weekends July 25-Aug 9 incl 2 Sunday mats, contact director at above phone # for details.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

May 16-18: “Follies 2008… Step in Time!” Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport, performances Fri-Sat 7 pm, Sun 2 pm, tickets $18 adults, $16 students (group rates available for matinee), revue of numbers from Broadway shows w/ professional quality costuming, staging, musical directing, singing & acting, performed by high school students from across the region (incl 17 from Newtown); 203-259-1036.

May 17: CT Master Chorale Spring Concert, St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, 8 pm, tickets $20/advance, $25/door, performance by 55-voice chorale will incl Orff’s Carmina Burana & Brahms’s Nänie, Chorale will be joined by soprano Louise Fauteux, countertenor Jeffrey Mandelbaum & baritone Dan Kempson, also Litchfield County Children’s Choir, & accompanied by CT Master Chorale Orchestra; 743-0473.

May 17: “Round the World in Tales & Tunes,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West St), Danbury, 11 am, free performance by national award-winning singer, storyteller & instrumentalist Mary Jo Maichack perfect for preschoolers & up, no registration needed; 797-4528.

May 17: Swing Lessons & Dance, Norfield Grange, 12 Good Hill Rd, Weston, doors open 7 pm, adm $15 for dance & 1 lesson, $20 dance & 2 lessons, intro swing fundamentals lesson w/ swing DJ Stretch at 7:30,supplemental swing dance lesson at 8:30, dancing 9:30-midnight, very beginner friendly, no partner required, premium hardwood dance floor in charming, 100+ year old hall, music by swing DJ Stretch, air-conditioned and dehumidified, presented most 1st & 3rd Sundays, hosted by Fair WestSwing Project; 203-522-5341.

May 17: “Barbershop For President!” by Danbury Mad Hatter Barbershop Chorus & Guests, Brookfield High School, 45 Longmeadow Rd, Brookfield, 7 pm, tickets $15 adults, $12 students & seniors, lampoon of 2008 election campaigns in original musical comedy (note: Danbury Mayor Mark Boughton has accepted invite to sing, elected officeholders from Bethel, Brookfield, New Fairfield, Newtown, Redding & Ridgefield have been invited), 41st annual performance to also include performances by Reveille (NYC quartet), Ringtones! (women’s barbershop group making professional debut), plus Rare Occasion, The HatterTones & Side By Side, all drawn from Hatter’s Barbershop membership; 426-5413, 203-438-8154, 845-225-4919.

May 18: “The Great American Songbook: The Annual CT Choral Society Fundraiser Auction,” Woodbury Senior Center, 265 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 2:30-5:30 pm, adm $15 (payable at door), live performances by CCS member Claudia Hughes, CCS Chamber Singers, also tenor Perry Price, plus silent & live auctions, wine tastings, food & beverages, proceeds to benefit award-winning 60-voice auditioned choral group that performs locally several times each year; 203-206-7186.

May 18: Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, Heritage Village’s Sarah Cooke Hall, 466 Heritage Village, Southbury, 3 pm, suggested donation $15, performance by celebrated ensemble that incl piano, violin, viola, cello & clarinet will continue Heritage Concert Society’s 2007-08 season; 264-1102, 262-6510.

May 18: 18th Annual Rites of Spring Dance Festival, Town Hall Green, 56 Norfield Rd, Weston, 3 pm, free celebration will showcase Margaret Bisceglie’s Young People’s Creatie Dance Group, also special guests Nancy Meehan Dance Company (featuring Newtown dancer Kate Taylor) performing “From All Sides, Parts I & II,” rain located is Weston Intermediate School, 95 School Rd.

May 18: Dinner & Show starring Elena Lentini, Elks Hall, 346 Main St, Danbury, doors open 4:30 pm, tickets $50 adults, $25 ages 12 & under, headlining performance by Elena Lentini of NYC, also performances by Riskallah Riyad & The Riskallah Riyad Dance Co., full buffet dinner & desserts, reservations by May 10; 267-1677.

Ives Concert Hall at Western CT State University, White Hall, Fifth Ave & White St, Danbury. Call 837-8350.

Free concerts, 8 pm unless noted: May 11, WCSU Orchestra, 3 pm (optional brunch precedes performance, begins 11 am, in nearby Warner Hall, tickets $15 adults, $10 students, free for moms & listeners age 12 & under; call 837-8486), free Mother’s Day concert will incl works of Ralph Vaughan Williams, Vivaldi, Saint-Saëns, Milhaud & Sibelius, donations accepted for WCSU Music Dept.

Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury. Call 268-8570.

Weekly Ballroom Dancing, Wed 7-11 pm, adm $15 (incl buffet), music provided by DJ, free dance lesson (7:15-7:45 pm), cash bar, door prizes, singles, couples & beginners all welcome.

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

Performances 8 pm unless noted: May 16, POSTPONED  Bobby “Blue” Bland & Koko Taylor, call box office for info;

Films _________________

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

Alliance Française Cinémathèque series, free, screenings 2 pm:

Global Warming: Fact or Fiction? screenings 7 pm: May 27, Kilowatt Ours.

Independent Film Festival, free, screenings 7:30 pm:

Searching For Shakespeare, free screenings:

Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury. Call 797-4533.

“European Film Classics: From Silents to the New Wave,” free screenings, Sun 2 pm, optional discussions follow, sound films will be subtitled (not dubbed): June 8, call for planned feature.

Teen Movie Night series, for students in grades 6-12, 7 pm, free but adv reservations & permission slips required (call teen librarian, 797-4528): May 17, I Am Legend (PG-13).

Discovery Museum, 4450 Park Ave, Bridgeport. Hours: Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 12-5 pm & most Monday holidays (call ahead). Call 203-372-3521.

Planetarium shows: One Small Step and Larry – Cat in Space, call museum for screenings schedule.

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

May 16-21: Drillbit Taylor (PG-13), Fri-Sat 7 & 9 pm, Sun-Wed 7 pm, mat Sat 4 pm, Sun 1 pm, Tues 1 pm.

May 17: Night at The Museum (PG), 1 pm, special screening will benefit Relay For Life.

For Kids & Families _________

May 17: Book Signing at Linda’s Story Time, 447 Monroe Tpke/Rte 111, Monroe, 11 am-1 pm, Trumbull author Tony Abbott will be presenting a story time & signing copies of his newest novel, The Postcard; 459-1579.

Danbury Public Library, 170 Main St, Danbury. Call 797-4505 (Junior Dept, 797-4528).

May 17, “Round the World in Tales & Tunes,” 11 am, free performance by national award-winning singer, storyteller & instrumentalist Mary Jo Maichack perfect for preschoolers & up, no registration needed; May 19, “The Junie B. Jones Olympics,” 4-5:30 pm, readers in grades 2-4 invited to test their knowledge against fellow readers about the first grader in Barbara Park’s popular children’s series; May 24, Baby & Me drop-in story time, 10:30-11:15 am, rhymes, songs & stories for babies 3-23 months & parent of caregiver, no registration needed.

Teen Movie Night series, for students in grades 6-12, 7 pm, free but adv reservations & permission slips required (call teen librarian, 797-4528): May 17, I Am Legend (PG-13).

 

Miscellaneous ___________

Fridays (1st & 3rd Fri/month until Oct 2; no Walk on July 4): First Black Rock Art Walk of 2008, Fairfield Ave (between Brewster St & Gilman St), Bridgeport, 6-9 pm, free twice-monthly presentation by area artists & craftspeople along sidewalks of Fairfield Ave (at Black Rock Art Center, 2838 Fairfield Ave, if rain), opening night will incl judging for Best in Show, also first place & runner-up categories to be awarded all season; 203-366-3667.

Saturdays (weekly to Oct 26): Bethlehem Flea Market, Bethlehem Fairgrounds, 384 Main St North/Rte 61, 6 am-1 pm, free adm & parking, 200 spaces will offer antiques & collectibles, plants & flowers, organic foods & farmer’s market, artisans & crafters, food, machinery & equipment & much more; 860-618-2940.

Tuesdays (June 24-Sept 2): Cruise Nights at The Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury, 5:30-8 pm, free, info booths,  BBQ, reduced adm to visit museum (cruise night events presented outdoors), special theme nights planned for June 24 (Cruisin’ Through Connecticut), July 22 (Beach Party, w/ volleyball, Frisbee, etc) & Aug 19 (Drive-In Night, w/ movies & popcorn), music provided by DJ, trophies & prizes to be awarded; 203-577-2181.

Through May 18: 32nd Annual St Mary’s Carnival, on church grounds (first time in church & carnival’s history), 26 Dodgingtown Rd/Rte 302, Bethel, Thurs-Fri 6-10 pm, Sat 4–11 pm, Sun 12:30–6 pm, ride-all-day bracelets available for Thurs or Sun ($20/adv, $25 at carnival), also Bingo (Fri-Sat in Parish hall, 6-10 pm, ages 15 & under must be accompanied); 744-5777.   

May 16: Comedy Dinner at Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, tickets $25, buffet dinner will run 6:30-8 pm (dinner incl dessert & coffee; cash bar available), performances then follow by Lenny Marcus & Tom Van Horn, reservations required; 470-7528.

May 16-17: Christ Church Quaker Farms Annual Tag Sale, at the church, 470 Quaker Farms Rd, Oxford, 9 am-2 pm, furniture, glassware, sporting goods, toys & more; 203-888-2761.

May 16-18: Heritage Village Library Annual Book Sale, Heritage Rd (meeting house paddock lot; watch for signs), Southbury, Fri-Sat 9:30 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-3:30 pm, hardcover & paperback selections, also puzzles, CDs, DVDs, records & tapes, proceeds to benefit library; 264-5381.

May 17: Newtown Artisan Market, Reed Intermediate School, 3 Trades La, Newtown, 10 am-4 pm rain or shine, adm $5, 35+ area artisans and crafters will display wares & offer demonstrations of crafts, proceeds to benefit Newtown Youth & Family Services; 270-4335, 270-9461.

May 17: “The Strange Death of Napoleon Bonaparte,” Southbury Public Library’s Brown & Kingsley Room, 100 Poverty Rd, Southbury, annual meeting of Alliance Française of NW CT will begin w/ breakfast meeting at 10 am ($10 non-members, reservations requested), meeting & essay prize distribution at 10:30, then lecture by Jerry Labriola, MD, at 11 will cover forensic science, fictional crime, true crime & cases still in the news incl OJ Simpson & JFK, based on studies done for his latest novel; 262-0626.

May 17: Author Program: Caroline Morrison Garrett at Bethel Historical Society, 40 Main St, bethel, 2 pm, free presentation by author (& Bethel native) of Short Skirts and Snappy Salutes – A Woman’s Memoir of the WWII Years, also display of Ms Garrett’s Army uniform & WWI uniform worn by her father, Garfield Morrison, partial proceeds from day of program book sales will benefit historical society; 743-5893.

May 18: “Water Weeds Workshop: Invasive Aquatic Plants,” Edmond Town Hall lower meeting room, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 2 pm, free slide presentation by Roslyn Selsky (CT Agricultural Experiment Station) will introduce water plants that have become invasive locally, w/ live specimens, and practical ways to control, reservations requested; 270-4350.

May 18: “The Great American Songbook: The Annual CT Choral Society Fundraiser Auction,” Woodbury Senior Center, 265 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 2:30-5:30 pm, adm $15 (payable at door), live performances by CCS member Claudia Hughes, CCS Chamber Singers, also tenor Perry Price, plus silent & live auctions, wine tastings, food & beverages, proceeds to benefit award-winning 60-voice auditioned choral group that performs locally several times each year; 203-206-7186.

May 18: “You Are Fantastic!” at Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 7 pm, free program led by Tully Moss (author of Fantastic!) will discuss life & vision of James V. Goure, who believed that “everyone’s essential nature is divine,” group meditation (free instruction available) & tea reception to follow; 203-263-2254.

May 22: MOMS Club of Brookfield East & Newtown Open House, Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield, 10 am, free event for stay-at-home moms will introduce club activities, also meet members & network, enjoy refreshments; 775-4807.

May 24: 8th Annual Great Pootatuck Duck Race, Mike Porco’s lot, 5 Glen Rd, Sandy Hook, 10 am-2 pm, duck race run by Newtown Lions Club (tickets $5) will have 20 prizes including top prize of 42-inch flatscreen HDTV, also ongoing presentations by community groups and vendors, tag sale, refreshments, children’s games, live entertainment & more; 426-1222.

May 24: Weekend Bird Walk, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Ave (off Rte 34), Derby, 8 am, free walk led by Kellogg Center volunteer will last up to 2 hours, all levels of birders welcome, sharpen bird identification skills or just enjoy guided hike through grounds of Kellogg Center & adjacent Osbornedale State Park; 743-2513.

May 24: Alliance Française of NW CT Café-Conversation, Southbury Public Library, 100 Poverty Rd, Southbury, 10 am-noon, free program will feature conversation in French on current events, all levels of French speakers welcome to participate (or listen), call if bad weather; 262-0626.

Audubon Center at Bent of the River, 185 East Flat Hill Rd, Southbury. Call 264-5098.

Programs free unless noted, reservations requested, call if weather is questionable, leave pets home: May 18, Early Bird Walk, 8 am, free one-hour walk w/ bird expert Donna-Rose Smith; May 23, Spring Wildflower Walk, 9:30 am, $5 ($3 Bent Center members; registration requested by May 20), join naturalist Chris Cohen for one-hour guided walk through Audubon’s “garden” of spring ephemerals & wildflowers.

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

May 22, Author Talk: Richard Budman, 7 pm, celebration of Sandy Hook artist’s first book, The World’s Oldest Cat Blows The Whistle: A Sizzling Expose! (also featuring Mr Budman’s paintings) will incl book signing, w/ proceeds to benefit New Pound for Newtown; May 29, “Willa Cather – An American Voice: Short Stories,” 7:30 pm, Humanities Prof Julie Stern will lead final discussion in series, focusing on Cather’s short stories, newcomers still welcome.

Danbury BNI Trailblazers, meetings at Assumption Greek Orthodox Church, Clapboard Ridge Rd, Danbury. Call 797-1122.

Group meets Wednesdays, 8-9:30 am, members network & help build businesses, all visitors welcome, contact Mark Vendetti at above phone # for details.

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

May 24, Primitive Skills Day, 11 am-2 pm, $10 adults, $6 children, demos of flintknapping techniques, also cooking w/ clay pottery using seasonal foods, learn how to use bow & twist to create fire, also how to make glue for bows, knife handles & more, plus test throwing arm for spear throwing.

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

Weekly games, Sat 1-5 pm, drop-in chess open to all skill levels, sets & boards provided, hosted by US Chess Federation expert Glenn Budzinski.

Newtown Hikers. Call 788-1398 (Ester Nichols), 270-4340 (Newtown Parks & Rec).

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9 am (spring start), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders (in parentheses) as follows: May 17, Muskoot Farm Trail, Somers, N.Y. (leader Jim Steck, 845-621-5559); May 24, Steep Rock, Washington (leader Pat Callan, 264-2153); May 31, Roaring Brook, Beacon Falls (leader Sawsan Ali, 426-8911).

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.

Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown. Call 426-6224 (ask for Betty) or 264-3728 (ask for Krista).

Non-profit weight loss support group meets every Mon 6:30-7:30 pm (weigh-ins 5:45-6:15, meetings 6:30-7:30), meetings $2/week, membership $24/year.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury (call 744-5575), shows 9 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: May 17, Badda Boom Badda Bing, showtime 10 pm, tickets $22, special celebrity comedy event will feature Dom Irrera opening, Perry Gardner opening; May 24, Max Dolcelli headlining, Carl Yard & Peter Vouras opening.

Shows at Ocean Grille, 464 Boston Post Rd, Orange (call 203-795-4588), show at 10 pm & tickets $15 unless noted: May 16, Dom Irrera, tickets $22, Perry Gardner opening.

Theatre ______________

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

Carousel, through June 1, call for ticket & curtain details; May 17, Pre-Play Introduction, 2 pm, artistic staff will lead discussion emphasizing secrets & challenges of creating process during making of Carousel; May 20, Audience Exchange, post-performance opportunity to meet members of acting company & artistic staff; May 25, Sunday Symposium, post-matinee panel discussion w/ scholars & artists discussing play’s issues; May 27, Audience Exchange, post-performance opportunity to meet members of acting company & artistic staff; May 29, Backstage With... The Technical Staff, 7 pm, get an inside look at technical tricks & the construction of Carousel w/ theater’s technical staff; May 31, Pre-Play Introduction, 2 pm, artistic staff will lead discussion emphasizing secrets & challenges of creating process during making of Carousel.

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Events that appear by date have Newtown items 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, Associate Editor, Newtown Bee, 5 Church Hill Road, Newtown CT 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.