Antiques Shows______

March 10-12: Ephemera Society of America’s Ephemera 26, The Westin, One First Stamford Place, Stamford, Fri (conferences) 9 am-4 pm, Sat 10 am-5 pm (members’ only pvw 9 am, memberships available at show), Sun 11 am-4 pm (also conferences 9-11 am), adm $12 ($10 ESA members), 80+ dealers, appraisals (Sat 12-3 pm, $5/item), also talks & special exhibits; 631-261-4590.

March 11-12: 32nd edition Cheshire Academy Antiques Show, Rte 10 at 68, Cheshire, Sat 10 am-4 pm, Sun 10:30 am-4 pm, adm $6; 860-342-2540.

March 11-12: Antiques at CT College Show & Sale, CT College’s Crozier Center, 270 Mohegan Ave/Rte 32, New London, 10 am-4 pm both days, adm $5.50; 860-625-4860.

March 11-12: Connecticut Spring Antiques Show, CT Expo Center, 265 Rev Moody Overpass, Hartford, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 10 am-4 pm, adm $10, 75+ dealers from CT, DE, IL, KY, MA, ME, NH, NJ, OH, PA & VA, educational programs & keynote lecture, full details HaddamHistory.org; 860-345-2400.

March 12: 25th Connecticut Antiquarian Book Fair, Litchfield Community Center, 421 Bantam Rd, Litchfield, 10 am-4 pm, adm $2.

March 18-19: Wilton Historical Society 39th Annual Antiques Show, Wilton High School Field House, Rte 7, Wilton, Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 11 am-5 pm, adm $10, 75 dealers, special exhibit of items from Pierce collection of American flags, also book signings by J. Richard Pierce (The Stars and Stripes: Fabric of The American Spirit); 203-762-7257.

March 19: 14th Annual Northwest CT Antiques & Collectibles Show, Northwest Regional High School, Rte 44 at Rte 8, Winsted, 9:30 am-4 pm, adm $4.50 (early buying 8:30 am, adm $10), proceeds to benefit New Hartford Lions Club charitable activities; 860-738-2207.

Art Exhibits, Museums Historic Places__ _____

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

Through March 12: “Karkhana: A Contemporary Collaboration,” works by 6 contemporary Pakistani artists – Aisha Khalid, Hasnat Mehmood, Muhammad Imran Qureshi, Nusra Latif Qureshi, Talha Rathore & Saira Wasim.

Through March 12: “Todd Hebert: 2005 Aldrich Emerging Artist Award Recipient.”

Through March 12: “Cyrilla Mozenter: More saints seen,” series of small-scale vessels made primarily from cream-colored felt.

Through March 12: “John Giglio: BlowHomes – A Main Street Sculpture Project,” site-specific soft sculpture is inflatable one-third scale replica of Victorian house that serves as front of Aldrich.

Through May 14: “Catherine Opie – The 2004 Larry Aldrich Award Winner: 1999 & In and Around Home,” images by the Los Angeles-based photographer offering tender portraits of her family plus sweeping landscapes of her 1999 road trip offering unique perspective on life in contemporary America.

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 March 31: “Surroundings,” oils & watercolors by Anita Gregorski, depicting familiar scenes of New England & surrounding areas.

In first floor display cases — Through March 31: “North American Animals,” carved wooden animals by Newtown resident Wayne Smith, painted by Carol Smith, incl foxes, moose, wolves, cougars, bears, skunks, coyotes, squirrel, rabbit & lynx.

On library’s main floor —

Brookfield Craft Center, 286 Whisconier Rd (Rte 25), Brookfield. Call 775-4526.

Through March 26: “Bend-Twist-Wrap: Contemporary Work in Wire,” new sculpture by artists from across the country.

Bruce Museum of Arts & Sciences, One Museum Dr, Greenwich. Call 203-869-0376.

*(new show) March 18-June 18: “Caves: The Inside Story,” adventure & science of caves are explored w/ re-creations, demos, animals specimens & interactive exhibits, all ages invited to explore what it’s like to be a caver & learn how caves are formed.

Easton Public Library, 691 Morehouse Rd (at corner of Center St), Easton. Call 261-0134.

Through April 4: “American Photography,” 40+ photos by Larry Roberg taken in CT, MA, CA & Fl in color & black & white, highlighting some of Mr Roberg’s dramatic landscape & scenic photography.

Golden Age of Trucking Museum, 1101 Southford Rd/Rte 188, Middlebury. Call 203-577-2181.

Through April 16: “Big Boys & Little Treasures,” new series of paintings by self-taught artist Kiki Michalek depicting classic trucks, also hand painted cigar boxes BY Ms Michalek featuring classic trucks.

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

*(new show) Through June 30: “Minerals of The Pomperaug River Valley,” item from collection of Southbury resident William J. Barrett, who has been collecting & studying minerals for 22+ years.

Through June 30 (exhibition dates extended): “The Hopkins Archaeological Site,” artifacts from one of the first prehistoric sites documented in Litchfield County, which indicate site was seasonal camp regularly used for thousands of years, ca 10,000-7,000 BC.

Through June 30 (exhibition dates extended): “Bear Dancers,” original Native American-inspired watercolors & prints by Connecticut artist & New York City native Joan La Rocca, whose inspiration comes from nature, the American Southwest & Native American spirituality.

Through June 30 (exhibition dates extended): “Southwestern Indian Pottery,” pottery spanning more than 1,000 years of Southwestern pottery development, focusing on Tewa & Keresan speaking peoples of Pueblo communities of presented New Mexico & Arizona.

Kent Art Association, 21 South Main St/Rte 7, Kent. Hours: Sat-Sun 12-4 pm. Call 860-927-3989.

Through March 12: “11th Annual Secondary Student Art Show,” works by students in 25 regional public & private secondary schools.

Mattatuck Museum Art & History Center, 144 West Main St, Waterbury. Call 203-753-0381.

Through March 20: “Connecticut Seen/Connecticut Scene,” paintings from CT’s premier mid-size museums incl Mattatuck, New Britain Museum of American Art, Florence Griswold Museum, Lyman Allyn Museum & Bruce Museum explores the evolving view of nature in 19th Century CT.

Miller Studio & Gallery, 495 Main St/Rte 6, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3939.

Through March 30: “Winterludes,” group exhibit featuring works to warm the coldest winter days w/ paintings by Thomas C. Adkins, Ella Crampton-Knox, Pete Bergeron, Robert Crawford, Susan Falato, Robert Holden & Robert Kozora, new works will rotate into show at different times during 11-week presentation.

Minor Memorial Library, 23 South St, Roxbury. Hours: Mon 12-7 pm, Wed 10 am-7 pm, Thurs-Fri 10 am-5 pm, Sat 10 am-2 pm. Call 860-350-2181.

Through March 18: “Continuum,” recent oil paintings & collages by Kezia Hearn, reflecting the great variety of plant forms the artist finds in her garden.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, 600 Main St, Hartford. Hours: Sat-Sun 10 am-5 pm, Wed-Fri 11 am-5 pm (open to 8 pm first Thurs/month). Call 860-278-2670, TDD 860-278-0294.

*(new show) March 11-Aug 13: “Revivals: Costumes for Song & Dance,” Raoul Pené du Bois’ sketches & Barbara Matera’s costumes from 1971 Broadway revival of No, No Nanette.

Through April 9: “Restored To Life: Benjamin West’s ‘The Raising of Lazarus,’” presentation of major acquisition, which was commissioned as an altarpiece for England’s Winchester Cathedral in 1780, & complete timeline of its recent restoration.

Through April 30: “Rodin: A Magnificent Obsession, Sculpture from the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation,” traveling exhibition of 62 bronzes drawn from one of world’s most comprehensive collections is first major exhibition in CT of works by the French master, ranging from earliest bust of his father to later studies of dancing figures, also features his most famous sculpture, “The Thinker.”

Auditions, Juried Events  _____

Wilton Playshop, 15 Lover’s Lane (off Rte 33, Wilton. Call 203-762-7629.

March 12-13: Auditions for Joe DiPietro’s Over The River and Through the Woods, March 12-13, 7 pm, director Tom Rushen has roles for 3 men & 3 women, performances will be weekends May 5-20, visit WiltonPlayshop.org for cast breakdown & other details, contact director at TMR42865@aol.com.

Concerts, Musical Events ____

Through March 12: Broadway Bound at Portuguese Cultural Center, 65 Sand Pit Rd, Danbury, tickets $35 adults, $25 students, performances Fri-Sat 5:30 (reception, then dinner at 6 & show at 8), Sun 12:30 pm (reception, dinner at 1, show at 3), revue of some of Broadway’s best musicals follows buffet dinner; 470-7528.

March 11: Jon Gailmor in concert, Newtown Meeting House, 31 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 2 pm, tickets $20 adults, $15 ages 3-12, free ages 2 & under (must sit on lap), performance by Vermont-based singer-songwriter will benefit The Montessori Community School of Brookfield; 426-6155.

March 11: 4th Annual NBLA Dinner & Country Dance, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, adm for dinner & dance $25, dance only $10, chili cook-off begins at 6 pm, dinner is at 7, square & contra dancing begins at 8 (live music by Bill Fischer & The Wild Notes); 791-4853.

March 11: Lorena Garay in concert, WCSU Student Center Theater, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 7:30 pm, guitarist who loves the blend of classical guitar & Latin rhythms will perform concert in honor of Women’s History Month; 837-8486.

March 11: Cantabile at Danbury Music Centre, 256 Main St, Danbury, 8 pm, free concert will incl music by Purcell, Thompson, Mozart & Brahms, also selections from an operetta by Gilbert & Sullivan, performed by octet of local singers; 748-1716.

March 11: 20 & Hot! by CT Gay Men’s Chorus, Western CT State University’s Ives Concert Hall, White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 8 pm, tickets $30 & $35, 20th birthday lollapalooza will feature greatest numbers from 20 years of CGMC performances; 800-644-2462.

March 12: CT Master Chorale Spring Concert, at St Rose of Lima Church, 46 Church Hill Rd, Newtown, 3 pm, tickets $15/adv, $20/door, performance of Parker’s Hora Novissima (The Newest Hour), also works by Mozart in celebration of composer’s 250th birthday, CMC to be accompanied by CT Master Chorale Orchestra; 743-0473.

March 12: Judy Handler & Mark Levesque at The Brookfield Library, 182 Whisconier Rd/Rte 25, Brookfield Center, 3 pm, free concert by acoustic guitarists & recording artists will incl Brazilian, Latin, swing, gypsy, European & classical influences; 775-6241 x104.

March 19: Lenten organ recital by Fiona Smith Sutherland, Trinity Episcopal Church, 36 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown (at the flagpole), 3 pm, free performance on church’s Austin pipe organ will incl works of J.S. Bach, Barber, Tallis, Albinoni & other meditative pieces for the evening, freewill donations accepted at door; 426-9070.

March 19: The Kerry Boys at Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West St), Danbury, 2 pm, free performance by CT-based duo, Irish balladeers will perform new & old Irish melodies w/ humor, high energy & engaging style; 797-4528.

March 19: Danbury Symphony Orchestra at Western CT State Univ Ives Concert Hall, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 7:30 pm, free concert under guest conductor James Sadewhite will incl Humperdinck’s “Prelude” to Hansel and Gretel, Grieg’s Piano Concerto in A minor (w/ guest pianist Albert Lotto) & Dvorak’s Symphony #4 in G Major; 748-1716.

Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, at Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-459-4249, 203-452-0003.

March 18, Annual Young Peoples Concert: Mozart’s Birthday Party, at Central High School, 1 Lincoln Blvd, Bridgeport, 11:30 am, tickets $6 adults, $4 children, performances by all 4 ensembles will incl special salute to Mozart on 250th anniv of his birth.

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

March 10, WCSU Jazz Combos, 8 pm, free performances by Begian II Quintet, Begian I Sextet, Rusself I Quintet & Tomlinson I Quintet, programs to incl jazz classics & original student compositions, donations to benefit WCSU music dept; March 11, world music concert, 7:30 pm, featuring Caribbean & Latin American musicians Trio Surcari, also Lorena Garay, Eugenio Huanca & Estanislao Cruz performing Latin American & Spanish Caribbean music, also original compositions.

Newtown Friends of Music, at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown. Call 426-6470.

Concerts at Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 3 pm, $18 adults, $16 seniors, free ages 5-14 w/ ticket-holding adult (subscriptions available), reception follows performances: March 12, Cavani String Quartet, works of Mozart (Adagio & Fugue, K 546), Beethoven (String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op 130) & (quartet member) Merry Peckham (Breakfast at The Ibis); April 9, Biava Quartet, works of Haydn (String Quartet in G minor, Op 74 No 3, “The Rider”) & Ravel (String Quartet in F Major), also Brahms’ Clarinet Quintet w/ guest clarinetist Pavel Vinnitsky.

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 10, Richie Havens, Janis Ian & Tom Paxton, 8 pm, tickets $35 & $40 (pre-concert lecture “Politics & Music: Society’s Child and Leonard Bernstein,” 7-7:40 pm, by Fairfield Univ Prof Brian Torff); March 12, 20 & Hot! by CT Gay Men’s Chorus, 3 pm, tickets $30 & $35, 20th birthday lollapalooza will feature greatest numbers from 20 years of CGMC performances (call 800-644-2462); March 18, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, program to incl Rossini’s Duet in D Major for Cello & Bass, Bach’s Sonata #1 in G Major for Violin, Cello & Bass, Kodaly’s Duo for Violin & Cello, & 2 works by CMS member Edgar Meyer (also pre-concert Art-To-Heart discussion, 7-7:40 pm w/ classical music writer Robert Sherman).

Ridgefield Symphony Orchestra. Call 203-438-3889.

Concerts at Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 East Ridge Rd, Ridgefield, 8 pm, tickets $15-$50: March 18, “Classical Masters,” Haydn’s Symphony No. 2, J.S. Bach’s Piano Concerto in D minor (w/ guest pianist Michelle Kim) & Haydn’s Symphony #83 (The Hen).

Films _________________

Bethel Cinema, 269 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 748-3355 (United Jewish Center).

Fourth Annual Free Film Festival, presented by the Robert S. Young Foundation of the United Jewish Center, free: March 19,  Imported Bridegroom, noon.

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

March 10-16: Fun with Dick and Jane (PG-13), daily 7 & 9 pm, mat Sat 1 & 4 pm, Tues 1 pm.

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

Through June 15: Bugs!, Mon-Fri 11 am, 1, 2 & 3 pm, Sat-Sun 1 & 3 pm; also double feature Fri-Sat 7 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 adults, $10 seniors, $7.59 students: March 10, The Jazz Singer, Lucie Arnaz will be guest at Q&A w/ Morton Dean & Ira Joe Fisher.

For Kids & Families _________

March 11: Cinderella by Young People’s Theatre, Kennedy High School auditorium, Highland Ave, Waterbury, 3 pm, all seats $7, family-oriented presentation of classic fairy tale offers spectacle, song & special effects suitable for all ages; 203-577-2377.

March 16: Wings To Fly: Mother-Daughter Book Discussion, Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West St), Danbury, 6:30 pm, free (registration required), one-hour discussion for girls in 2nd-4th grade & their mother (or other adult) concerning The Courage of Sarah Noble, discussions also planned for March 30 & April 6 (diff titles, call library for details); 797-4528.

Bethel Public Library, 189 Greenwood Ave/Rte 302, Bethel. Call 794-8756.

March 11, Harry Pottery book discussion, 10 am, teens invited to 90-min book discussion to about Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban; March 16, Harry Potter book discussion, 6:30 pm, readers in grades 3-5 invited to 45-min discussion of Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince, registration required.

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

Children’s programs, free unless specified: March 11, St Patrick’s Day Craft Program, 1 pm, $3 materials fee due at registration, Marie Walker will lead one-hour program for ages 6 & up.

Flanders Nature Center, Flanders at Church Hill Rd, Woodbury. Call 203-263-3711.

March 11, Kids’ Adventure Club: Going Green, 10 am-noon, $12 ($10 members), registration required & space limited, students in grades K-5 (parents welcome, free) can learn about St Patrick’s Day & wonders of the natural world incl hands-on activities, hike to nature center (dress appropriately) & stories.

Greater Bridgeport Youth Orchestras, at Klein Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Ave, Bridgeport. Call 203-459-4249.

March 18, Annual Young Peoples Concert: Mozart’s Birthday Party, at Central High School, 1 Lincoln Blvd, Bridgeport, 11:30 am, tickets $6 adults, $4 children, performances by all 4 ensembles will incl special salute to Mozart on 250th anniv of his birth.

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

March 11, winter beading workshop, 11 am-3 pm, $30 ($25 members), join master beader & IAIS educator Janis Us to make small change purse decorated w/ traditional Iroquois raised beadwork designs; March 18, Annual Maple Sugaring Festival, 11 am-3 pm, adm $6 adults, $4 ages 5-16, ongoing Native American sugar making demo, also pancakes served w/ local maple syrup (11 am-1 pm only), games & crafts for children (1-3 pm),also gently used book sale.

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

Young Audience series, performances 1 & 3 pm, tickets $15 adults, $10 children: March 19, Alexander Who’s Not, Not, Not, Not, Not Going to Move by Kennedy Center Imagination Celebration on Tour, tickets $12 adults, $10 children, adaptation of Judith Vorst’s popular book of same name is suitable for grades 1-5.

Miscellaneous ___________

March 11: 4th Annual NBLA Dinner & Country Dance, Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, adm for dinner & dance $25, dance only $10, chili cook-off begins at 6 pm, dinner is at 7, square & contra dancing begins at 8 (live music by Bill Fischer & The Wild Notes); 791-4853.

March 11: Indoor Flea Market, Church of The Good Shepherd, 680 Racebrook Rd, Orange, 8 am-2 pm; 203-934-4446.

March 11: Growing Healing Herbs, at Woodbury Public Library, 269 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 10:30 am-12:30 pm, free (reservations required), naturalpathic physician, medical herbalist, professor, author & talk show host Dr Eugene Zampieron will share knowledge about herbs & help participants grown & use their own medicinal herbs; 203-263-4868 (New Morning Store).

March 11: “The Practice of Reike,” New Morning Natural & Organic Store, 783 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, 2 pm, free one-hour program by Doug Green (author, Reike-Free Yoga) will incl discussion & demonstration of the ancient Japanese system of relaxation & stress reduction; 203-263-4868.

March 11: Veterans Holding Corporation Annual Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, at Second Meeting House, 40 Main St, Bethel, continuous servings 5-8 pm, adm $15 dults, $10 ages 6-11, free ages 5 & under, all-you-can-eat corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots & onions, also soft drinks & desserts; 748-6112.

March 11: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, WCSU Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Mill Plain), Danbury, 6 pm, free planetarium show followed by viewing of the waxing moon, Saturn & late winter-early spring sky; 837-8672.

March 12: “Blueprint For Happiness: Rather Than Complain, Create (The Life You Want),” Woodbury Yoga Center, 122 West Side Rd, Woodbury, 6:45 pm, free program by teacher & reiki master Rosemarie Palladino will offer ideas to help anyone focus & empower themselves to create the life they desire, group meditation (free instruction available) & informal tea reception follows; 203-263-2254.

March 13: “Tippecanoe and TV Too: The History of Political Campaigns,” C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St/Rte 25, Newtown, 7:30 pm, free slide presentation by Dr Edmund Sullivan will offer tour of past political campaigns, refreshments to follow, sponsored by Newtown Historical Society; 426-5937.

March 13: Housatonic Valley Paddlers Club meeting, Brookfield Community Center, 100 Pocono Rd, Brookfield, 7 pm, non-members welcome, presentation by Allen Stalvey & Mike Harvey on the new online Gear Trader Forum & a photo gallery tool; 203-263-3281.

March 16: Planetarium Show & Telescope Viewing, WCSU Observatory (westside campus), University Blvd (off Mill Plain), Danbury, 6 pm, free planetarium show followed by viewing of moon near full & Saturn; 837-8672.

March 16: Western CT Bird Club meeting, Woodbury Library, 269 Main St South/Rte 6, Woodbury, social gathering 6:30 pm, program begins at 7, all welcome, presentation by Dr Craig Ferris will offer overview of Ducks Unlimited incl history & mission; 426-3901.

March 17: Spuds ‘N Duds, Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St, Newtown 6 pm, donation $10, potatoes with favorites fixings and soft drinks/coffee, followed by fashion show of new spring styles; 426-9024.

March 18: “Raising Happy Children,” Danbury Library, 170 Main St (at West), Danbury, 2-4 pm, Danbury, 2-4 pm, free workshop led by Diana Penagos will offer easy, stimulating & fun activities parents & grandparents can use to promote positive self-esteem, creativity & cognitive development for their 2-8-year olds, will be presented in English & Spanish; 796-1637.

March 18: St Patrick’s Day Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner, Southbury Volunteer Firemen’s Assn firehouse, 461 Main St/Rte 6, Southbury, continuous servings 5-8 pm, $12 adults, $6 ages 12 & under, $11 seniors (betw 5-6 pm only), dinner of corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, bread, beverages & dessert; 262-8138.

March 18: CT ConTacts Singles Dance Party, Anthony’s Lake Club, Vespucci Dr, Danbury, 8 pm-1 am, adm $17 incl dinner buffet, desserts, dancing to DJ selections (Top 40, soft rock, recent oldies & requests), no jeans; 203-468-1144.

March 19: Spring Psychic Fair, Maron Inn, Mill Plain Rd, Danbury, 11 am-6 pm, free adm, area psychics, clairvoyants, astrologers, tarot & gemstone readers participating, also vendors; 470-1806.

Active Singles. Call 860-253-9782, 860-489-9611.

Hikes for singles ages 30s-50s held 1st & 3rd Sun/month, 9:30-11:30 am, free, hikes available in 4 difficulty levels, no dogs or children: March 19, hikes at Daniels Farm, Daniels Farm Rd, Monroe.

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

Programs free unless noted: March 11, Intermediate Computing, 9 am-noon, $10 (& registration needed), class covers Web issues incl downloading files, saving photos, also time for Q&A; March 13, Daytime Book Group, 1 pm, discussion of An Ideal Husband by Oscar Wilde; March 18, Fun Creations with Digital Photography,” 10-11:30 am, free (registration required), join Michael Franco to learn how to make personalized calendars, baseball cards, pop-up cards and a slide show using Adobe Photoshop elements & Microsoft MovieMaker.

Flagpole Photographers, C.H. Booth Library lower meeting room, 25 Main St, Newtown. Call 270-8576.

Meetings 3rd Thurs/month, 7:30 pm, non-members always welcome: next meeting March 16.

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

March 11, Winter Beading Workshop, 11 am-3 pm, $30 ($25 members) incl materials, join master beader & IAIS educator Janis Us to make small change purse decorated w/ traditional Iroquois raised beadwork designs; March 18, Annual Maple Sugaring Festival, 11 am-3 pm, adm $6 adults, $4 ages 5-16, ongoing Native American sugar making demo, also pancakes served w/ local maple syrup (11 am-1 pm only), games & crafts for children (1-3 pm),also gently used book sale.

Kismet, programs at Bethel Arts Junction, 5 Depot Place, Bethel. Call 748-3125, 426-9448.

Dinner programs 4th Sat/month, 7-10 pm, $15 & bring dish to share, RSVP requested: March 25, “Dance of The Spirit Butterflies” program by guest speaker Myakaa.

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

Hikes leave from lower lot @Edmond Town Hall, 45 Main St, Newtown, 9:30 am (later start during winter season), free, all welcome (children must be accompanied), bring bag lunch/beverage, wear sturdy shoes, destinations & leaders as follows: March 11, Southbury Preserve, Southbury (Ester Nichols, 788-1398); March 18, Lake Waramaug, Rangers’ Area, New Preston (Claire Sivacek, 744-0086); March 25, Naugatuck Forest, Oxford (Tim Hanbury, 203-888-3025), short hike followed by potluck lunch & spring hike planning, call Tim for food coordination.

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.

Shepaug Eagle Observation Area, Shepaug Housatonic Hydroelectric Station, River Rd, Southbury. Call (Tues-Fri 9 am-3 pm) 800-368-8954.

Seasonal: Observation area open to March 17 only, Wed, Sat-Sun 9 am-1 pm, free adm but reservations absolutely required.

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: March 22, pastel still life demo by Leslie Lillien Levy.

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.

Tarrywile Park, 70 Southern Blvd, Danbury. Call 744-3130.

Guided hikes, free, cancelled if heavy rain, wear rugged, sturdy shoes, bring water & light snack, pre-registration requested: March 18, begins 9 am; March 19, begins 9 am.

Treehouse Comedy Productions.

Shows at The New Sorrento, 32 Newtown Rd, Danbury, 9:30 pm, tickets $15 unless noted: March 11, headliner Vic DiBitetto, opening acts by Garry Levy & Keith Anthony; March 18, headliner Mike Yard, opening act by Anne Kissel; March 25, headliner Pete Michaels, opening sets by Eric Deskin & Rod Reyes.

Wednesday Night Poetry, at Molten Java, 102 Greenwood Ave, Bethel. Call 426-3388 (Faith Vicinanza), 739-0313 (Molten Java).

Series presented ev Wed 7:30-10 pm (featured poets 8:30 pm, poetry workshop 9:15 pm), adm $1 ($3 requested if out-of-state or major guest poet), guest/featured poets as follows: March 15, Lou Orfanella; March 22, David Vincenti.

Theatre ______________

March 15: The Vagina Monologues, WCSU Student Center Theater, 181 White St/Rte 6, Danbury, 7:30 pm, suggested donation $10 (proceeds going to Women’s Center of Greater Danbury), special performance as part of WCSU’s celebration of Women’s History Month; 837-8486.

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

Nunsense A-Men!, through March 12, curtain Fri 8 pm, Sat 5:30 & 8:30 pm, Sun 5:30 pm, tickets $10-$30, discounts for seniors, students & groups, rush tickets ($25) 1 hour before curtain if available.

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

After the Quake (world premiere), through March 19, curtain Sun, Tues-Wed 7 pm, Thurs-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun & Wed 2 pm, Sat 3 pm, tickets $20-$60, student, senior & group discounts available.

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

Lend Me A Tenor, through March 24, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (March 5 only) 2 pm, tickets $20 adults, $17 seniors & students; also (Thurs) March 23, 8 pm.

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

The Last Five Years, through March 18, curtain Fri-Sat 8 pm, mat Sun (March 5 only) 2 pm, tickets $20; Feb 23, Pay-What-You-Want Night, 8 pm, name your ticket price.

Western CT State University’s Berkshire Theater, Osborne St, Danbury. Call 837-8732.

As You Like It, through March 11, curtain Thurs-Sat 8 pm, tickets $18 adults, $15 seniors & students.

Yale Repertory Theatre, 1120 Chapel St (at corner of York), New Haven. Call 203-432-1234.

dance of the holy ghosts: a play on memory, March 17-April 8 (previews to March 22, opening night March 23), curtain Mon-Sat 8 pm, mat Wed &S at 2 pm, tickets $30-$50, group rates available; March 17, First Friday, 7 pm, pre-show presentation by members of creative team w/ complimentary pizza & soft drinks; March 23, Opening Night Celebration, post-performance party at Playwright Irish Pub & Restaurant; March 25, post-matinee Talk Back, audience invited to discuss play w/ members of cast & creative team.

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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.

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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.