PLAN ON IT
Best of the arts in the weeks ahead
BRIDGEPORT
Comedy
Gary Owen, Bridgeport Stress Factory Comedy Club, 167 State St. Dec. 17, 7: 30 p. m.; Dec. 18, 19, 6 & 8 p. m. $ 210-$ 70. Shows resume indoors with 50% capacity, and following all State guidelines for reopening. bridgeport. stressfactory. com
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 children- designed 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.
Music
“A Light in the Darkness,” virtual concert recorded at The Klein Memorial Auditorium, featuring pianist Tiffany Poon and twenty- seven GBS musicians, all socially distanced, under the direction of conductor Eric Jacobsen, will be available for athome viewing beginning Dec. 19, 7 p. m. $ 23. Tickets at gbs.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. 12, noon- 6 p. m. ursa. gallery
“Winter Wonderland” at Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave. Zoo grounds will have 10 oneof- 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.
DANBURY
Holidays
Danbury Music Centre: Virtual Messiah Concert, performed by Danbury Concert Chorus, on Danbury Music Centre’s Facebook page and website, Dec. 20, 3 p. m. Free. Donations accepted. danburymusiccentre.org
“From SAINT to SANTA,” virtual program hosted by Danbury Library on Zoom, Dec. 17, 6 p. m. Exploration on how St. Nicholas, a Turkish bishop, evolved into one of Christianity’s most beloved saints, and see how in American artwork Nicholas changed again, into Santa Claus. 203- 7974505, danburylibrary.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
Reindeer Festival, Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North St. Through Dec. 22. Mon- Sat 8: 30 a. m.- 5 p. m. Santa's three Reindeer this year, Dasher, Dancer and Vixen. Santa will be staying at the North Pole this year for the health and safety of all of the children and their families. Pick out your Christmas tree, holiday plantings, Christmas Shop for festive, fun, unique holiday gifts. 203- 531- 3047, greenwichreindeerfestival. com
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
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. 203- 4893556, 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
Exhibit of children’s book illustrations from the archives of artist, illustrator, and author James Stevenson, “Fun / No Fun: Children’s Book Art,” through April 18; “She Sweeps with Many- Colored Brooms:” Paintings and Prints by Emily Mason, Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr. 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 selfselected 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. 203- 869- 0376, brucemuseum. org
MYSTIC
Holidays
Lantern Light Village, Mystic
Seaport Museum, Dec. 18, 19, 5- 9 p. m. In lieu of general admission, tickets are $ 33 adults ( ages 13 and up), $ 28 youths ( ages 4- 12). Ages 1- 3 are free. Outdoor, free- roaming experience designed to celebrate the best of both the contemporary and 19thcentury holiday seasons. Visitors are required to wear masks and observe social distancing while at the Museum. Tickets online at checkout. mysticseaport. org/ all/ tickets.
Holiday Lights Spectacular, Olde Mistick Village, 27 Coogan Blvd. Through Jan. Mon- Thu 10 a. m.- 8 p. m.; Fri & Sat 10 a. m.- 9 p. m.; Sun, 11a. m.- 6 p. m. Face coverings required and social distancing is maintained in our wide open campus of stores. oldemistickvillage. com
NEWTOWN
Holidays
Virtual Holiday Fundraiser, hosted by Town Players of Newtown, Dec. 20, 2 p. m. Program includes “Always Anastasia,” a one- act mystery, followed by old- fashion holiday caroling. Donate $ 10 or more and receive a link to watch the show. Donate at donorbox. org/ tp2020
NORWALK
Comedy
Vic DiBitetto, Wall Street Theater, 71 Wall St. Dec. 18, 8 p. m. $ 25; Mark Normand, Dec. 20, 6 p. m. $ 25. Limited live audience. In- person tickets which are limited are on- sale online at wallStreettheater. com and live stream tickets are on- sale at wallstreettheater. live
Holidays
Spectacular Strings Holiday Concert, virtual performance by string members of Norwalk Symphony Orchestra, on YouTube Premier, Dec. 18, 7 p. m. $ 20 adults, $ 5 students. Tickets at norwalksymphony. org
“It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” Music Theatre of Connecticut MainStage, 509 Westport Ave. Through Dec. 20. Fridays, 8 p. m.; Saturdays, 2, 8 p. m. & Sundays, 2 p. m. Performances in- theatre and live stream. In- person tickets $ 65$ 35 and can only be purchased by calling the MTC Box Office at 203454- 3883. Live- stream tickets $ 25 and may be purchased online at musictheatreofct. com/ wonderfullife2020. e- mail: admin@ 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). 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. 203- 8389799, lockwoodmathewsmansion. com
Music
“Musical Afternoons with Jim Clark,” jazz concert series hosted by Norwalk Public Library on Zoom: “The Songs of Christmas: Songs and Film Clips from Classic Christmas Movies,” Dec. 19, 3 p. m. Register by e- mail to clahey@ norwalkpl. org. 203- 899- 2780 ext. 15133.
Visual Arts
“Days to Remember: Members Exhibit,” Center For Contemporary Printmaking, 299 West Ave. In- gallery through Feb 21. Related event: “William Evertson: Mythologies,” recognizes the work of member William Evertson’s woodcut prints. Free. Admittance is by timed entry. Contact CCP to reserve a timeslot at 203- 899- 7999. E- mail: info@ contemprints. org
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- 8389799, lockwoodmathewsmansion.com
STAMFORD
Holidays
Venetian Holiday music featuring a Vivaldi piccolo concerto, brass music by Gabrieli, and some tunes to put you into the holiday spirit, virtual performance by Stamford Symphony, Dec. 20, 3- 4 p. m. Mulled wine demonstration included. 203- 3254466, stamfordsymphony. org
“The Best Concordia Conservatory Christmas Musical Movie,” Concordia Conservatory’s filmed production starring current and past Conservatory students, Dec. 19, 7- 8 p. m. $ 25. Purchase the link to the broadcast premiere online at bit. ly/ 33HGLD0 and by phone at 914- 395- 4507.