PLAN ON IT
Best of the arts in the weeks ahead
BETHEL
Holiday
Ring in Christmas and Hanukkah with a holiday concert, St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Dec. 22, 4 p.m. Free.
BRIDGEPORT
Holiday
Breakfast with Frosty and Friends, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave. Dec. 22. $25 nonmember, $20 member. Children 2 years old and younger are free. beardsleyzoo.org
“Rudolph,” Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St. Through Dec. 29. Tickets available by phone, in person at the box office, or online. 203-576-1636, dtcab.com
Stage
“Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” Downtown Cabaret Theatre, 263 Golden Hill St. Through Dec. 29. Showtimes: Fri 7:30 p.m.; Sat 5, 8 p.m.; Sun 4:30 p.m. Visit website for tickets. 203576-1636, dtcab.com
Visual Arts
“Love Past Death” Tribute to Peter Konsterlie, Framemakers Picture Framing & Art Gallery, 3004 Fairfield Ave. Through Dec. 203-3380332
BROOKFIELD
Holiday
Holiday Sale, Brookfield Craft Center’s Gallery Shop, 286 Whisconier Road. Through Dec. 31. Holiday ornaments, woodcrafts, glass crafts, jewelry, pottery, fiber works, and more.
“A Cozy December: Snowscapes and Still Lifes,” Library, 182 Whisconier Road. Through Dec. 29. 203775-6241, brookfieldlibrary.org
DANBURY
Holiday
Ride a Vintage Train to Visit Santa Claus, Danbury Railway Museum, 120 White St. Dec. 22. Trains depart every half-hour from 12:30-3 p.m. on Saturdays, 12:30-3:30 p.m. on Sundays. $12 ages 2 and up, free under 24 months. danburyrailwaymuseum.org
Danbury Brass Band presents a Christmas Concert, Immanuel Lutheran Church, 18 Clapboard Ridge Road. Dec. 22, 7 p.m. Free. Gifts will be given at the concert which will end by 8:30 p.m.
DARIEN
Visual Arts
“Katrin Waite: Inside the Outside World-Plus Two New Craft Artists,” Geary Gallery, 576 Boston Post Road. Tue-Sat 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Through Dec. 24, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m. 203- 655-6633, gearygallery.com
EAST HADAAM
Holiday
“An Unforgettable Nat King Cole Christmas,” Goodspeed Opera House, 6 Main St. Dec. 22, 2, 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $40. 860-8738668, goodspeed.org
EASTON
Holiday
“Magic of Christmas” Show, Spinning Wheel Restaurant, 109 Black Rock Tpke. Through Dec. 24. Visit website for showtimes and tickets. spinningwheelct.com
FAIRFIELD
Holiday
Holiday Express Train Show, Museum & History Center, 370 Beach Road. Through Jan. 5. Train Show hours: Mon-Thu 10 a.m.-1 p.m.; Fri evening 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat, Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Weekdays during school vacation: Dec. 23, 24, 26, 30, 31, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. $5 adults, $3 students/seniors, free members and children ages 5 and under. Related events: Tree Lighting, Dec. 6, 5-8 p.m. Cookies, cider, a craft. $3 per person, $10 for a family of four; “Candy House Workshop,” Dec. 14, 10 a.m., noon, or 2 p.m. Tickets required; “Choo Choo” story times every Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.; “Paint a Train” workshops; “Crafts & Cookies” every Friday afternoon; Polar Express-themed evening, Dec. 20. fairfieldhistory.org
“A Christmas Carol Experience,” Burr Mansion, 739 Old Post Road. Dec. 22, 29, noon, 2, 4 p.m.; Dec. 26, 6:30, 8:30 p.m. $40-$20. fairfieldhistory.org
Visual Arts
“Color in Motion,” Public Library Gallery, 1080 Old Post Road. Through Jan. 19. 203-246-9065, bskgallery@gmail.com, fairfieldpubliclibrary.org
“Cover to Cover: How People Bind Their Books” Exhibit, Pequot Library, 720 Pequot Ave. Through Feb. 9, during Library hours. 203-254-0123, pequotlibrary.org
“Winter Light,” artwork by members, Art/Place Gallery, 70 Sanford St. Through Jan. 31, noon-5 p.m. every day. 203-374-9720 or 646258-6912, artplacegallery.org
“Rodin, Truth, Form, Life,” Fairfield University’s Walsh Art Gallery in the Quick Center for the Performing Arts, 1073 N. Benson Road. Through Dec. 21. Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 11 a.m.-4 p.m. fairfield.edu
“From the Ground Up: Fairfield’s Foods,” Museum & History Center Spaght Gallery, 370 Beach Road. Exhibit runs through Jan. 5. 203259-1598, fairfieldhistory.org
GREENWICH
Dance
Ballroom Dance Party, Round Hill Community House, 397 Round Hill Road. Dec. 21, 7-11 p.m. $18. 203-8319382, ballroommagic.com
Holiday
Holiday Art Show and Sale, YWCA of Greenwich Gertrude White Gallery. Through Dec. 27.
Reindeer Festival & Santa’s Village, Sam Bridge Nursery and Greenhouses, 437 North St. Through Dec. 24. Photos with Santa, Carousel & Train Rides, Food trucks. Visits with Reindeer and the Christmas Shop, Mon-Sat 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. sambridge.com
Specials
Nature Yoga, Greenwich Audubon Center, 613 Riversville Road. Dec. 22, 10 a.m. $10 per session; Family Yoga, Dec. 22, 11:30 a.m. $10 adult, $5 children. Pre-registration required for either to Caroline Bailey at Caroline.Bailey@audubon.org or 203-900-3349.
Visual Arts
“Contemporary Realism,” Cavalier Ebanks Galleries, 405 Greenwich Ave. Through Dec. 31. Mon-Sat 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sun noon-5 p.m. 203869-3664, cavaliergalleries.com
“Scott Glaser and the Grid,” Greenwich Art Society Gallery, 299 Greenwich Ave. 2nd. fl. Through Jan. 3. Artist’s reception Dec. 12, 6-9 p.m.
“An American Story: Finding Home in Fairfield County,” Historical Society, 47 Strickland Road. Through Jan. 6. Gallery hours: Wed-Sun noon-4 p.m. greenwichhistory.org
“Collecting Reimagined: A 2D Curiosity Cabinet,” Bruce Museum, 1 Museum Dr. Through March 29. Museum hours: Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m. Closed Mon. $7 adults, $6 students up to 22 years, $6 seniors, free for members and children under 5. 203-869-0376, brucemuseum.org
IVORYTON
Holiday
“An Actor’s Carol,” Ivoryton Playhouse, 103 Main St. Through Dec. 22. Thu, Fri, Sat 2, 7:30 p.m.; Wed, Sun 2 p.m. $35 adult, $32 seniors, $20 students, $15 children under 12. 860-767-7318, ivorytonplayhouse.org
KATONAH, N.Y.
Visual Arts
“Sparkling Amazons: Abstract Expressionist Women of the 9th St. Show,” Katonah Museum of Art, 134 Jay St. Through Jan. 26. Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun noon-5 p.m. Closed Monday. 914-232-9555, katonahmuseum.org
KENT
Visual Arts
“Third Eye” paintings by Heather Scofield, Kent Memorial Library Gallery, 32 N. Main St. Through Jan. 10. 860-927-3761, kentmemoriallibrary.org
“New Nudes” Group Show, Craven Contemporary Gallery, 4 Fulling Lane. Kent Barns. Through Jan. 15. Weekends only.
MILFORD
Holiday
Pantochino Productions Inc. holiday musical, “The Gingerbreads of Broadway,” Milford Arts Council, 40 Railroad Ave. Through Dec. 22, 2 p.m. $22 online, $25 at the door. Cabaret seating at all performances. Bring your own food and drink. pantochino.com
Music
Milford P.V. O’Donnell Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann traditional Irish music session with uilleann piper Jerry O’Sullivan, button accordionist Séagda Coyle and fiddler Eugene Bender, St. Gabriel’s Church Hall, 26 Broadway, Dec. 19, 7:45 p.m. Free. BYOB. 203-876-9973
Visual Arts
“Milford Student Show,” Milford Arts Center, 40 Railroad Ave. Through Jan.17. Gallery hours: Thu 2-7 p.m.; Fri, Sat, Sun, noon-4 p.m. 203-878-6647, milfordarts.org
MYSTIC
Holiday
Lantern Light Tours, Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave. Dec. 20-22, 5-10 p.m. Tours begin every 15 minutes. $33 nonmembers, $28 members, $23 youth members, $28 youth nonmembers. Children under 3 free.
Visual Arts
“J.M.W. Turner: Watercolors from Tate,”Mystic Seaport Museum, 75 Greenmanville Ave. Through Feb. 23.
NEW BRITIAN
Holiday
Christmas with Billy Joel Tribute Parkway Diner, Trinity on Main, 69 Main St. Dec. 21, 7 p.m. $15, $10 kids under 12. 860-229-2072, trinityonmain.org
Stage
Connecticut Theatre Company with “Meet Me In St Louis,” Repertory Theatre, 23 Norden St. Through Dec. 22. Tickets start at $23. Dec. 20, 7 p.m., Dec. 21, 7 p.m., Dec. 22, 2 p.m. connecticuttheatrecompany.org or at the door the night of the show.
Visual Arts
“Interwoven: Labor, Innovation & Consumerism in New Britain’s Textile Industry,” New Britain Industrial Museum, 59 West Main St. On view. Gallery hours: Wed noon-4 p.m.; Thu, Fri 2-4 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 860-832-8654, director@nbindustrial
“Art in the Family-Retrospective and Current Work,” Art League of
New Britain, 30 Cedar St. On view.
Exhibit Figure Photography by photographers Larry & Faith Bilansky, Art League of New Britain, 30 Cedar St. Through Dec. 22.
NEW CANAAN
Visual Arts
“Hat Madness,” New Canaan Museum & Historical Society, 13 Oenoke Ridge. Runs through March 8. 203966-1776, nchistory.org
“HeART & Mind,” Silvermine Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Road. Through Jan. 12. silvermineart.org
“Into the Garden,” paintings by Christian Peltenburg-Brechneff, Carriage Barn Arts Center Gallery, 681 South Ave. On view. Gallery hours: Wed-Sat 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sun 1-5 p.m. 203-594-3638, carriagebarn.org
“Jessica Drenk: Second Nature” exhibit, Heather Gaudio Fine Art, 66 Elm St. On view. Free.
NORWALK
Holiday
“Holiday Gift Show,” Rowayton Arts Center, 145 Rowayton Ave. Through Dec. 24: Tue-Fri noon-5 p.m.; Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun noon-5 p.m. Christmas Eve 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Closed Mondays. Suggested donation $5, free admission with canned goods for Open Door Shelter. 203-8662744, rowaytonarts.org
“Toys, Trains, and Magnificent Trees: Illuminating Christmas at the Mansion,” Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave. Through Jan. 5. 203-838-9799, lockwoodmathewsmansion.com
Visual Arts
“The Trained Eye: The Art of Railroads & Stations,” Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave. Through Jan. 5. Wed-Sun noon-4 p.m. 90 minute tour $20, $18 seniors, $16 ages 8-18; 45 minute tour $10 adults, $8 seniors, $6 ages 8-18 years old. 203-838-9799, lockwoodmathewsmansion.com
“Under the Influence Members Exhibit,” Center for Contemporary Printmaking, 299 West Ave. Through Feb. 9. View hours: Tue-Sat 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun noon-5 p.m. Closed Mondays. Free. 203-8997999, contemprints.org.
“Seeking Peace and Calm?” SoNo’s Maritime Garage Gallery Winter Exhibit, 11 North Water St. Through Feb. 29. Free. Viewing hours: MonFri 9 a.m.-5 p.m. 203- 831-9063, norwalkpark.org/public-art
ORANGE
Visual Arts
“Waterworks XX,” students of Audrey Galer will display new watercolors, Case Memorial Library, 176 Tyler City Road. Through Dec.
RIDGEFIELD
Holiday
“It’s a Wonderful Life,” Ridgefield Playhouse, 80 E. Ridge. Dec. 22, 4 p.m. $12. Mary Owen, Donna Reed’s daughter will introduce the film and hold a Q&A. 203-438-5795, ridgefieldplayhouse.org
Visual Arts
Zoe Sheehan Saldana: “There Must Be Some Way Out of Here,” Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum, 258 Main St. Exhibit runs through May 17; “Weather Report,” through March 29; “Eva LeWitt,” Through April 5. 203-438-4519.
SHARON
Visual Arts
Jessie English “The Book of Hours,” Standard Space, 147 Main St. Through Jan. 12, Fri-Sun noon-6 p.m.
STAMFORD
Holiday
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service with a living crèche, First Presbyterian Church, 1101 Bedford St. Dec. 24, 5 p.m. Freewill offering; Musical prelude provided by our choir, hand bells, and string ensemble, Dec. 24, 9:30 p.m. Freewill offering. 203324-9522, fishchurch.org
“The Nutcracker,” Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St. Dec. 22, 1, 5 p.m. $75$50. 203-325-4466, palacestamford.org
Stage
“Shen Yun,” Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St. Dec. 25, 6 p.m.; Dec. 26, 2, 7:30 p.m.; Dec. 27, 1 p.m. $165$80. 203-325-4466, palacestamford.org
Visual Arts
Stamford Art Association Townhouse Gallery, 39 Franklin St. Through Dec.. Hours: Thu, Fri 11 a.m.-3 p.m.; Sat, Sun noon-3 p.m. 203-325-1139, stamfordartassociation.org
“How Many Tears Are Enough” exhibit addresses the aftermath of gun violence, UConn, Stamford Branch, 1 University Place, Through Feb. 6. 203-251-8400.
“Recollections” Retrospective Exhibit of Selected Artwork by Paul G. Larson, Loft Artists Galleries and Studios, 575 Pacific St. Through Dec. 22. Gallery hours: Sun 1-4:30 p.m. loftartists.org
TRUMBULL
Holiday
Bridgeport P.A.L. Christmas Village, P.A.L. Complex, 2 Quarry Road. Through Dec. 23. Daily 1-8 p.m. $2. Photo with Santa, $10. 203-5767604, e-mail paltrumbull@aol.com
WASHINGTON DEPOT
Holiday
“A Cabin Holiday,” Washington Art Association & Gallery, 4 Bryan Plaza. Through Dec. 24. Wed-Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Dec. 23, 24, 10 a.m.- 4 p.m. Related event: Holiday in the Depot, Dec. 13, 6-8:30 p.m. Gallery hours: Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun noon-4 p.m. Closed Mon. 860-8682878, washingtonartassociation.org
WATERBURY
Holiday
“Elf The Musical,” Seven Angels Theatre, 1 Plank Road. Through Dec. 23. $28. sevenangelstheatre.org
Visual Arts
“Maryna Bilak: Caring Hands,” Mattatuck Museum, 144 W. Main St. Through Jan. 5. Museum hours: Tue-Sat 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sun noon-5 p.m. 203-753-0381, ext. 130, mattmuseum.org WESTPORT
Holiday
Christmas Lessons & Carols, Christ & Holy Trinity Church, 75 Church Lane. Dec. 22, 5 p.m. No charge. Freewill offering received. Bring new socks, hats, and gloves for Trinity, New Haven’s Chapel on the Green. 203-227-0827, chtwestport.org/ tickets
Visual Arts
“The Kids’ Wall at Longshore Pool,” Library South Gallery, 20 Jesup Road. Through March 11. Related event: Art Spaces in Fairfield County Libraries, present “Art & Text,” a united exhibit featuring the work of local and regional artists runs through Dec. 31. For a listing of the individual participating libraries and their exhibit dates, see adobe.ly/2mn61Mh 203-291-4800, westportlibrary.org
WILTON
Books
Holiday Book Sale, Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road. Through Dec. 29, during regular library hours. 203762-3950, or online at wiltonlibrary.org.
Holiday
Great Trains Holiday Show, Wilton Historical Society, 224 Danbury Road. Through Jan. 20. $5 nonmember child, $10 nonmember adults. Free for all members of the Society. 203-762-7257, wiltonhistorical.org
Visual Arts
“A Harvest of Hues,” Library, 137 Old Ridgefield Road. Runs through Jan 2. 203-762-6342, wiltonlibrary.org.