PLAN ON IT
Best of the arts in the weeks ahead
Comedy
Colin Quinn, Bridgeport Stress Factory Comedy Club, 167 State St. April 8, 7: 30 p. m., April 9 & 10, 7 & 9 p. m. $ 150-$ 50. Shows will follow all State guidelines for reopening. bridgeport. stressfactory.com
Specials
Colorblends House & Spring Garden, Colorblends, 893 Clinton Ave. Through May 16. Open daily from dawn to dusk. Colorblends Spring Garden features a half- acre garden bursting with 50,000 spring blub flowers of various types, all blooming in squence to create an ever- changing display over a six week period. Free. 888847- 8637, colorblendsspringgarden.com
Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave. events: National Zoo Lovers Day, April 8; Virtual Zoo Tots, April 14, May 12, June 9, 10: 30 a. m. $ 10. Register; Easter Sunday at the Zoo, April 4, 9 a. m.- 4 p. m.; and Endangered Species Day, May 15. Hours Daily: 9 a. m.- 4 p. m. Guests must wear a mask. Tickets are online purchase only and must be purchased prior to your visit. beardsleyzoo.org
Visual Arts
“ARTcade downtown pARTy, A day of art, music, design and vintage,” Arcade Mall, City Lights Gallery, and Ursa Gallery, April 24. City Lights and Ursa Gallery are hosting companion exhibits: City Lights exhibit, “Pandemic Art;” and “Here Comes the Sun” at Ursa Gallery. Ricardo Reyes of Cosmic Jibaros and Savor City presents his ensemble Latin Americana, musicians include Ricardo Reyes on guitar and vocals, Dan Tressler of fiddle and vocals, Obanilu Allende on percussion, Rich Zarkowski on upright bass, Jeff Smith on banjo. Vending at the Arcade, noon- 6 p. m. Art galleries open until 7 p. m. The night ends with WPKN radio spinning discs at the Arcade. citylightsgallery.org, bridgeport- arttrail. org
“divine knowing art exhibit” Guest Curator Natasha Kuranko, City Lights Gallery, 265 Golden Hill St. Through April 17. Gallery hours: Wed- Fri, noon- 5 p. m., Sat noon- 4 p. m. Exhibit also on the City Lights website. citylightsgallery.org
“Photorealism: Fixing the Fleeting Moment,” Housatonic Museum of Art on the Housatonic Community College Campus, 900 Lafayette Blvd. New exhibit on view through Dec. 2021; “The Roots of Abstraction,” exhibit on view through Aug. 31, 2021. An appointment to visit the museum is necessary, and visitors must be prepared to comply with social distancing rules and wear protective face masks. Housatonic Museum of Art will also make the exhibit available as a slideshow, virtual tour and as a print- on- demand catalog. 203332- 5052, housatonicmuseum.org
BROOKFIELD
Visual Arts
Juried High School Student Art Exhibit, Brookfield Craft Center’s Lynn Tendler Bignell Gallery, 286 Whisconier Road. Through April 18. Gallery hours: Tue- Fri noon- 5 p. m.; Sat 11 a. m.- 5 p. m.; Sun noon- 4 p. m. It will also be available to view online. brookfieldcraft.org or call 203- 775- 4526 or info@ brookfieldcraft.org.
DANBURY
Specials
Art Workshop Series: “Intuitive Watercolor” presented by painter Abbie Rabinowitz, virtual livestream program hosted by Western Connecticut State University Department of Art on Zoom, April 9, 3- 5 p. m. $ 25. Registration required at bit.ly/3u5SCp8
DARIEN
Dance
“Sculpting Harmonies” East Coast Contemporary Ballet Live Dance & Music Event, Darien Arts Center, 2 Renshaw Road. April 10, 7 p. m.; April 11, 1 & 5 p. m. $ 40. Maximum capacity of 30 people per performance. Mask- wearing and social distancing will be in practice. All performers will also be wearing masks. Tickets at bit.ly/3cyKbwI
Visual Arts
“Observations in Abstract” works by Caroline O’Callaghan, Geary Gallery, 576 Boston Post Road. Through April 31. In- person exhibit. Gallery hours: Wed- Sat 9: 30 a. m.- 5 p. m. 203- 655- 6633, gearygallery.com
FAIRFIELD
Comedy
Fairfield Comedy Club hosts Gianmarco Soresi, J. B. Percival Co., 63 Unquowa Road. April 8, 6 & 8 p. m. $ 29. fairfieldcomedyclub.com
Films
Oscar Shorts- Live Action, Fairfield Theatre Company Warehouse, 70 Sanford St. April 11, 7: 45 p. m. $ 15. fairfieldtheatre.org
Specials
“What Climate Change Means for Connecticut” by Yaprak Onat, Ph. D., hosted by Humanists and Freethinkers of Fairfield County, April 12, 7 p. m. Register at bit.ly/hffcCIRCA
Visual Arts
“Unique Expressions” group exhibit featuring paintings by artists, Gaby Collins- Fernandez, Gary Petersen, Kelsey Shwetz, and Yorgos Stamkopoulos, Hollis Taggart Gallery, 330 Pequot Ave. Through May 8. Masks required and all COVID protocols followed. Gallery hours: Wed- Sat 9: 30 a. m.- 4: 30 p. m.; Sun 9 a. m.- 2 p. m. info@ hollistaggart.com, 212- 628- 4000.
Virtual Money Smart Art Show for Grades 6- 12, hosted by Fairfield Public Library on Zoom, April 13, 4: 15- 5 p. m. In honor of Money Smart Week, create a piece of art on a budget. We will give you a library bucks budget and you pick the art supply items you would like to purchase with your library bucks. Library provides your selected crafty items and you use those items ( and only those items) to create a piece of art. Register by April 9, 4: 15 p. m. Vote for your favorite at the Art Show on Zoom. Amazon gift card awarded to the artist whose piece receives the most votes. Registration required. fairfieldpubliclibrary.org
Art/ Place Gallery seeks area artists interested in applying for membership. If interested you must contact Judith at judith. lambertson@ gmail. com. Then bring 6- 10 recent works to the gallery, May 20, noon- 1 p. m. for consideration. Gallery is located on Sanford St. Gallery is open daily from 11 a. m.- 5 p. m. artplacegallery.org
“Outside” show by Art/ Place members, Fairfield Theater Company building, 70 Sanford St. On view in the gallery daily 11 a. m.- 5 p. m. until futher notice. 203- 3191404
“By Design: Theater and Fashion in the Photography of Lalla Essaydi” art exhibit featuring photos by Lalla Essaydi, 3- D virtual tour and audio guide, presented by Fairfield University Art Museum’s Walsh Gallery in the Quick Center for the Performing Arts, on view through the museum’s website, through May 21. thequicklive.com fairfield. edu/ museum
GREENWICH
Films
Focus on French Cinema, the annual Francophone film festival presented by the Alliance Française of Greenwich, will screen 10 premiere films in French with English subtitles, April 21- 30. FFC will feature the Cinema of Belgium. Visit website for schedule of films and tickets. focusonfrenchcinema.com
Lectures
“Women in Contemporary Science: How to STEM the Leaky Pipeline,” virtual webinar hosted by Bruce Museum on Zoom, April 8, 7- 8: 30 p. m. Free. Register at brucemuseum.org or call 203869- 0376, ext. 311.
Visual arts
Bruce Museum is temporarily closed to the public. Visit website for updates and to view exhibits and related activities. 203- 8690376, brucemuseum.org
MILFORD
Music
Milford Performance Center Drive- In Live Concert Series: Stone Flower- Santana Tribute, Connecticut Post Mall Sears Front Lot, April 9, 7 p. m. $ 95-$ 55. Tickets are based on a per car basis with up to 4 people in a car. Food trucks. Keeping each car socially distant will allow for up to 4 people to sit outside the car with a barrier of a car and distance between vehicles for a safe and enjoyable concert experience. Backup FM transmission. 203- 723- 3672. Tickets at milfordperformancecenter.org.
NEW CANAAN
Specials
“Enclaves of Modernism: Houses From Chicago To New Canaan,” virtual presentation hosted by The Glass House on Zoom, April 19, 7 p. m. Register at theglasshouse.org
Visual Arts
“Sagerman and Clement: HighPerformance Color” paintings by Robert Sagerman and sculpture by John Clement, Heather Gaudio Fine Art, 66 Elm St. Through May 1. 203- 801- 9590, rachael@ heathergaudiofineart.com. heathergaudiofineart.com
“Texture + Transparency,” virtual tours and online programming hosted by The Glass House, available on the website. theglasshouse.org
“Through Our Eyes IX New Canaan High School Art Exhibit,” Carriage Barn Arts Center, 681 South Ave. Exhibit will also feature a juried selection of work by NCHS Alumni. In gallery & virtually online. Gallery hours: Wed- Sat 10 a. m.- 3 p. m.; Sun 1- 5 p. m. Admission is free. Masks required. 203- 5943638, carriagebarn.org
“Devine Frequent See” solo exhibit of evocative oil paintings by Russell Ritell, Silvermine Gallery, 1037 Silvermine Road. Through April 23. In- person viewing. CDC and CT State guidelines will be followed. Exhibit can also be viewed online. silvermineart.org
NEW MILFORD
Visual Arts
“Emergence” New works by Gallery25 artists, Gallery 25 and Creative Arts Studio, 11 Railroad St. Through May 30; & Paintings from “When the Snow Flies,” through April 25. Gallery hours: Sat- Sun 10 a. m.- 4 p. m. gallery25ct.com
NORWALK
Films
Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk IMAX Theater, 10 N. Water St. opens its new 4D Movie Theater. 3D glasses send the action spilling off the screen and over audiences, with additional sensory special effects, such as scents, bubbles, wind, mists and more. Two films: BBC Earth’s “Shark: A 4D Experience” at 15 minutes after each hour, and “Ice Age: No Time for Nuts 4D” at 45 minutes after each hour, weekdays, and on weekends & holidays, the movies will run alternatingly every 20 minutes starting at 10: 20 a. m. 4D movie tickets: $ 7 per person, $ 6 members. Tickets optional in addition to Aquarium admission. Aquarium admission: $ 26.95 adults, $ 24.95 seniors ( age 65+), $ 19.95 children ( ages 3- 12). COVID precautions include reduced capacity, physical distancing and required face masks. See the entire movie schedule, and reserve tickets at maritimeaquarium.org.
Music
Jim Clark Presents “A Tribute to Ira and George Gershwin,” virtual concert hosted by Norwalk Public Library on Zoom, April 10, 3 p. m. To register and receive the link e- mail clahey@norwalkpl.org.
Specials
“Sensory- Friendly Evening,” Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St. April 8, 5: 30- 7: 30 p. m. To be supportive of children and adults with special needs who may find a visit to the Aquarium too stressful, lights in the Aquarium will be lower, and music and other sounds will be turned down or off, and the Aquarium will show movies in the new 4D Theater without special effects. Discounted admission for the Sensory- Friendly Evening: $ 17 adults, $ 15 seniors ( 65+), and $ 12 children ( 3- 12). Tickets for a 4D movie, $ 7. Limited guest capacity, masks required. Advance ticket sales online with timed entries. 203- 852- 0700, maritimeaquarium.org
Visual Arts
“A Slug’s Life: Facing the Climate Endgame,” Maritime Aquarium, 10 N. Water St. Through June 13. Exhibit features forms and adaptations of animals from ocean reefs, discover the important warnings they can tell us about climate change. The exhibit blends live marine animals with sculptures of a type of sea slug called nudibranchs by New Haven artist Gar Waterman, plus photos by divers from around the world. Limited guest capacity, masks required, ticket sales online with timed entries. $ 26.95, $ 24.95 age 65+, $ 19.95 ages 3- 12. Free with admission. 203- 852- 0700, maritimeaquarium.org
“Spring Juried Show” taking place at Rowayton Arts Center through April 10. rowaytonarts. org
“Health, Healing & Addiction in 19th Century America,” LockwoodMathews Mansion Museum, 295
West Ave. April 8- Oct. 17. Related Event: Virtual Talk on collecting rare medical artifacts by Dr. Donald Blaufox, Professor and University Chairman Emeritus of the Department of Nuclear Medicine at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, April 11, 2 p. m. “Socially Distant Art: Creativity in Lockdown,” April 8- Aug. 29, and will be held in the Billiards Room. For more information on schedules, tour tickets and programs visit lockwoodmathewsmansion.com, 203- 8389799.
RIDGEFIELD
Films
Great Art on Film Series: “Mavrick Modigliani,” Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge. April 8, 7 p. m. $ 12: 50; Family Series: “Monsters vs. Aliens,” April 10, 4 p. m. $ 12-$ 10. Masks and social distance required at all times. 203- 438- 5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org
Stage
The Met Opera Encore in HD: Classical Series with “Madama Butterfly,” Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge. April 8- 13, 1, 4 & 7 p. m. $ 15. When you buy a ticket, you must choose a date & time to watch the screening. Just like a live show, you can ONLY watch on the date & time you select. Purchase touchless print at home ticket go online to ridgefieldplayhouse.org, visit or call the box office. 203438- 5795.
Visual Arts
“After the Mobile,” a two- part solo exhibit by artist Tim Prentice that features twenty indoor works, five outdoor works, and a video portrait of the artist, presented both in the Museum’s galleries and Sculpture Garden. The indoor exhibit on view from through Oct. 4, and the outdoor installation on view from Sept. 19, 2021- April 24, 2022. “Frank Stella's Stars, A Survey,” on view in the Sculpture Garden and in the galleries, through May 9. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St. aldrichart. org
STAMFORD
Visual Arts
“The Artistry of Fans Exhibit” and “Stamford's Toy Chest Exhibit,” Stamford History Center, 1508 High Ridge Road. Duel exhibits on view through June 1. For visiting hours visit stamfordhistory. org, 203- 329- 1183.
WESTPORT
Stage
Westport Country Playhouse announces an all- virtual 2021 Season, featuring a new comedy and a Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award- winning drama, two archival productions recorded in HD video, and four Script in Hand playreadings. The all- virtual season will open in June. Script in Hand playreadings begin in April, and continues in June, Oct. & Dec. For information and to purchase tickets to the virtual season, visit westportplayhouse.org, leave a message on the box office voicemail at 203- 227- 4177, or email boxoffice@ westportplayhouse.org
“Rent Control,” virtual Script in Hand playreading written and performed by Evan Zes, hosted by Westport Country Playhouse, premieres April 26, 7 p. m., available on- demand April 27- May 2. Virtual tickets are $ 20 individual, $ 40 pair, $ 80 household streaming experience. Each purchase entitles the ticket buyer to one individual link. Tickets at westportplayhouse.org, leave a message on the box office voicemail at 203- 227- 4177, or email at boxoffice@ westportplayhouse.org
Visual Arts
“Smash” Exhibit devoted exclusively to the videos of contemporary artist Marilyn Minter, MoCA Westport, 19 Newtown Tpke. Through June 13. $ 10, $ 5 students/ educators, seniors ( 60+), free children 12 & under, Military Personnel and Healthcare Providers with ID. 203- 572- 2720, mocawestport. org
“Vanishing Species Vanishing Murals,” outdoor gallery in downtown Westport. Murals on exterior walls visible to shoppers, diners, and visitors, and will depict a different endangered animal species. Locations: courtyard at Bedford Square; next to Jeera Thai on the back of Sconset Square; Post Road below Amy Simon Fine Art, and along the handicapped ramp at the front of Anthropologie. amykaplanartwork@gmail.com
Westport Library, 20 Jesup Road. Online exhibit, “Westport’s Suffragists- Our Neighbors, Our Crusaders.” westportlibrary. org