PLAN ON IT
Best of the arts in the weeks ahead
BRIDGEPORT Holidays
Winter Wonderland Walk, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave. Through Jan. 6. Safe, outdoor setting that includes Polar Palace, Fairy House Lane and Imagination Station, Poinsettia Pass, Winter Village Square, Snowman Park, Nutcracker Palace, Dreidel Drive, Gingerbread Boulevard, Kris Kringle Corner, Evergreen Lane, train display, custom artist and childrendesigned snowmen. Open seven days a week, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. $15 adults, $10 children age 3-11 and seniors over 62. Children under three are free. Masks and social distancing required. Tickets at beardsleyzoo.org.
Visual Arts
“In Accordion Time, Unfolding,” show by London Calling Collective, featuring mail art in the form of poetic accordion-fold books as well as diverse digital dialogues, the show reflects the bonds between artists as individuals and as a group as they reimagine community for life during and after a pandemic, Ursa Gallery, 100 Main St. Through Feb. 6, noon- 6 p.m. ursa.gallery
“Winter Wonderland” at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave. Zoo grounds will have 10 one-of-a-kind snowpeople sculptures from local artists on display at the Zoo from Dec-March. Online public vote to choose a first, second, and third place winner with cash prizes of $250, $125, and $75 respectively. beardsleyzoo.org jtaylor@beardsleyzoo.org.
“Scream and Shout,” the art of Carlos Bautista Biernnay, absurd fiber art influenced by the artist's personal reactions to events on 9/ 11 in the United States and in Chile, now online 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. 203-332-5052, housatonicmuseum.org
DANBURY Stage
Department of Theatre Arts at Western Connecticut State University will present “New Works-New Voices,” a virtual production series dedicated to amplifying the voices of marginalized and underrepresented playwrights and composers. Each show has been rehearsed, performed and edited entirely online, and will be broadcast via livestream. Each production will have two showings, or “performances,” through Dec. 6. Tickets for each performance are $5. Tickets at wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com.
Specials
Wish Upon the North Star, virtual fundraiser for Regional Hospice, Dec. 3, 7-8 p.m.. Benefits its forthcoming hospice space for babies and children. Silent auction features a virtual cooking class with Iron Chef Ming Tsai, a personal Zoom call with TikTok sensation Mark Anastasio and more. Register for the free event at makingthebestofeveryday.org
Visual Arts
“Postcards to an Island” Photo collages by Ann Nicholson Brown, Gallery at Still River Editions, 128 E Liberty St. Through Dec. 18. Regular gallery hours: Mon-Fri 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Open to 1 or 2 visitors from the same household at one time, masks required. 203-791-1474, stillrivereditions.com
Cultural Alliance of Western Connecticut is hosting an online show meant to uplift and show the strength of community members during crises of the past year. “Arts Are > Greater Than” is open to artists in Connecticut and New York. Exhibit will run through Jan. cawct.org
GREENWICH
Holidays
“Together at Home,” virtual holiday extravaganza hosted by Greenwich Historical Society’s Antiquarius, through Dec. 6. Event favorites include the Holiday House Tour, Holiday Boutique, Greenwich Winter Antiques & Design Show, Festival of Trees and Candlelit Evening Tours of Bush-Holley House. Virtual passport tickets are $250 for all events. Schedule and tickets at greenwichhistory.org/antiquarius
Virtual Greenwich Holiday Stroll, through Dec. 24. Innovative and informative way for local retailers and restaurateurs to connect with the community through 24 days of short videos highlighting their holiday merchandise, gift ideas, festive wares, services, signatures dishes, and celebratory cocktails. greenwichreindeerfestival.com
Music
Greenwich Choral Society announces its virtual performance, James E. Moore’s arrangement of “An Irish Blessing,” available for viewing through the Choral Society’s website, gcs-ct.org. Rehearsals on Zoom every Tuesday 7:30-9 p.m. until Dec. 15. Rehearsals are free. If interested contact admin@greenwichchoralsociety.org
Visual arts
“Tabula Rasa,” features pieces by Ben Quesnel, Greenwich Art Center's Bendheim Gallery. 299 Greenwich Ave. Through Jan. 5. Viewing hours by appointment, weekdays 10 a.m.-4 p.m., weekends noon-4 p.m. greenwichartscouncil.org
“MASKED/ UnMASKED,” by Serge Clement and Marina Kamena, Gilles Clement Gallery, 45, E. Putnam Ave. Through Jan. 19. Hours: Tue-Sat 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. 203489-3556, e-mail derdos@gclementgallery.com, gclementgallery.com
“Places We Love” oil paintings by Jennifer Williams, Galerie 888, 96 Greenwich Ave. Exhibit on display through Dec. 31, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. galerie888.ct@gmail.com 203-8569048.
“Animal Attraction” by Heidi Johnson, Greenwich Library Flinn Gallery, 101 W. Putnam Ave. Through Jan. 6. 203-622- 7947, flinngallery.com
Historical Society Museum Gallery, 47 Strickland Road. Advance reservations are required to visit the
museum galleries, and the number of visitors will be limited. Museum Store is also open. Library and Archives open by appointment only. Heirloom gardens and historic grounds open, and new docent-led Site & Landscape Tours to come. The Bush-Holley House remains closed. Reserve at greenwichhistory.org or 203-869-6899
“She Sweeps with Many-Colored Brooms:” Paintings and Prints by Emily Mason, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr. New exhibit on view through March 21; “House on the Hill: The Changing Face of the Bruce Museum,” Online version of the exhibit available at houseonthehillexhibition.com. Admission by advance reservation, with timed ticketing. Tue-Sun, 9:30-10:30 a.m. for self-selected individuals over the age of 65 or who are immunocompromised; Tue-Sun, 10:30-11:30 a.m. members. All remaining hours are unchanged. Mask or cloth face covering required. Museum store open. Online exhibits: “On the Edge of the World: Masterworks by Laurits Andersen Ring from SMK-the National Gallery of Denmark,” “Under the Skin,” and “House on the Hill: The Changing Face of the Bruce Museum.” 203-869-0376, brucemuseum.org
NEWTOWN
Holidays
Holiday Festival, Dec. 6-12. AtHome & Virtual Experiences, two in-person viewing days for the Festival of Trees. Elf Chats Live from the North Pole, The MerrymakersCarol-o-Grams, Edible Creations Competition, The Road to Disney Scavenger Hunt, Elf on the Shelf Competition, Festival of Trees, Secret Stocking Silent Auction, Letters to Santa, Bedtime Stories with Santa. For details visit newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org
NORWALK
Holidays
Jonathan Kruk's One-Man: “A Christmas Carol,” Music Theatre of Connecticut, 509 Westport Ave. Dec. 5, 11 a.m. In Person: $25 adults, $12.50 children. Live Stream: $25. 203-454-3883, musictheatreofct.com
“Christmas Playtime at the Mansion,” Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave. Through Jan. 3. Wed-Thu, Sat-Sun noon-2 p.m. $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 youth, free children (7 and under). Museum’s doll collection along with several vintage toys will be exhibited. First floor of the Mansion will feature Christmas trees decorated with period-appropriate ornaments, a dining table adorned with antique silver and china, several playful dolls and toy vignettes and Victorian gowns. Contemporary displays and trees also on display. Tours of the new exhibit will be on a limited basis due to the continued threat of COVID-19 and to achieve safe distancing measures. Tickets must be purchased online through the website. No walk-ins accepted. 203838-9799, lockwoodmathewsmansion.com
Visual Arts
Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave. is open daily from noon-2 p.m. The exhibit, “About Women,” in collaboration with Silvermine Arts Center will mark the physical reopening of the galleries, and will run through Jan. 3. $10. 203-838-9799, lockwoodmathewsmansion.com
RIDGEFIELD Holidays
“A Christmas Carol,” Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane. Inperson performances through Dec. 20, 8-10 p.m. Social distancing and masks required. Seating is still cabaret style and patrons may bring food and drink. Doors open one hour prior to curtain, reservations required at ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org.
Visual arts
“The Art of Giving Exhibit,” Ridgefield Guild of Artists, 34 Halpin Lane. Through Dec. 20. In Gallery and online. Registration required. 203-438-8863, rgoa.exhibitions@gmail.com
Exhibit “Frank Stella's Stars, A Survey,” on view in the Sculpture Garden and in the galleries, through May 9, 2021. Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St. aldrichart.org
SHELTON Holidays
“A Christmas Story-The Play,” Center Stage Theatre, 54 Grove St. In-person performances Dec. 4-20. Fridays and Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays 2 p.m.; and Dec. 17, 7 p.m. All health and safety protocools enforced. Visit website, or call for ticket information. 203-225-6079, info@centerstageshelton.org centerstageshelton.org
STAMFORD Visual Arts
“Rooted to Hope,” juried online exhibit offered by Stamford Art Association, through Dec. 17. Fundraiser in support of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations, an organization dedicated to the awareness of rain forests globally and to preventing their deforestation. stamfordartassociation.org
“BIOPHILIA: A Dialogue with Art, Nature and Science,” Museum & Nature Center’s Bendel Galleries, 151 Scofieldtown Road. Through Jan. 10. 203-977-6521, stamfordmuseum.org
“Faces of Pandemic Front Lines” presented by The Connecticut Society of Portrait Artists (CSOPA) in collaboration with Stamford Downtown, currently offers an online gallery, and a storefront display, 170 Bedford St. csopa.org