PLAN ON IT
Best of the arts in the weeks ahead
BRIDGEPORT Holidays
Winter Wonderland Walk, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, 1875 Noble Ave. Nov. 28-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.
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 DecMarch. 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-ondemand catalog. 203-332-5052, housatonicmuseum.org
DANBURY
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
FAIRFIELD
Specials
“Right Before I Go,” featuring a cast of story-tellers including Vanessa Williams, Blair Underwood, Hari Nef, and Wilson Cruz, benefit performance hosted by Quick Center for the Performing Arts at Fairfield University and available for online viewing as an encore, through Nov. 30, all day. $20, free for Quick Center members. Benefits suicide prevention organizations. Tickets at quickcenter.com. thequicklive.com, 203-254-4010
GREENWICH
Holidays
Reindeer Festival, Sam Bridge Nursery & Greenhouses, 437 North St. Nov. 27-Dec. 22. MonSat 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
“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, Dec. 1-24. 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, gcsct.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
“MASKED/ UnMASKED,” by Serge Clement and Marina Kamena, Gilles Clement Gallery, 45, E. Putnam Ave. Nov. 29-Jan. 19. Hours: Tue-Sat 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. 203-489-3556, 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 203-856-9048.
“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 docentled Site & Landscape Tours to come. The Bush-Holley House remains closed. Reserve at greenwichhistory.org or 203-869-6899
“She Sweeps with ManyColored 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 houseonthehillexhi
bition.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
HARTFORD
Holidays
Holiday Light Fantasia, Goodwin Park, 1130 Maple Ave. Nov. 26-Jan. 3. Thu-Sun 5-10 p.m. $15 car (up to 10 passengers), $25 limousine, $50 mini bus (up to 30 passengers), $100 full size bus (31 passengers +). Drivethrough wonderland of holiday spirit that celebrate not only Christmas, but Hanukkah, New Years and Three Kings Day. Benefits Channel 3 Kids Camp. 860742-2267, facebook.com/HartfordHolidayLightFantasia/
NEW CANAAN
Visual Arts
“Peter Monaghan: Fold” solo exhibit, Heather Gaudio Fine Art, 66 Elm St. Through Jan. 9. 203801-9590, heathergaudiofineart.com
“Artists Sunday,” Carriage Barn Arts Center, 681 South Ave. Nov. 29, 11 a.m-4 p.m. Admission is free. Masks required. Indoor capacity is maximum twenty-five people. 203-594-3638, carriagebarn.org
“The Golden Door,” Silvermine Gallery, 1037 Silvermine Road. Through Jan. 16. In-person viewing, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Related events: Michelle Loh, New York City-based art advisor and gallery director will produce video interviews with the “Golden Door” artists that premier weekly. Schedule in advance at 203-9669700, ext. 3; silvermineart.org
NEW HAVEN
Holidays
“Eleanor's Very Merry Christmas Wish-The Musical,” virtual performance hosted by Shubert Theatre, Nov. 27- Dec. 27. 203624-0825, shubert.com
Fantasy of Lights, Lighthouse Point Park, 2 Lighthouse Road. Through Dec. 31. Sun-Thu 5-9 p.m.; Fri-Sat 5-10 p.m. $10 car, $25 minibus, $50 full-size bus. 203-777-2000, goodwillsne.org
NORWALK
Holidays
“Christmas Playtime at the Mansion,” Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum, 295 West Ave. Through Jan. 3. Wed-Thu, SatSun 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. 203-8389799, lockwoodmathewsmansion.com
“A Carriage House Christmas,” virtual event hosted by Carriage House Arts Center on Zoom, Dec. 1, 7-9 p.m. carriagehouseartscenter.org
RIDGEFIELD
Holidays
“A Christmas Carol,” Ridgefield Theater Barn, 37 Halpin Lane. In-person performances Nov. 28-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.
Stage
Broadway & Cabaret Series: “A Toast to Broadway,” virtual concert hosted by Ridgefield Playhouse, Nov. 28, 8 p.m. $35 for stream at home ticket. ridgefieldplayhouse.org, 203-4385795.
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. In-Person exhibits: “Rudy Shepherd: Somebody’s Child,” through Nov. 29. Timed-entry tickets or reservations required. “Twenty Twenty, “exhibit through Jan. 3. aldrichart.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
Loft Artists Gallery, 575 Pacific St. “Multiplicity-Psyche, Culture and Change in 2020,” virtual exhibit only runs through Dec. 1. Gallery hours: Fridays 5-7:30 p.m.; Saturdays 1-4 p.m. Facemasks required. 203-247-2027, loftartists.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
WEST HARTFORD Dance
Ballet Theatre Company’s “Through the Tulle,” exhibit showcases its vast collection of tutus and performance costumes in museums and galleries throughout New England. Open in its entirety at the Hill-Stead Museum in Farmington, through the end of the year. dancebtc.org
WESTPORT
Visual Arts
Pop-Up Art Exhibit, “2020 People Politics Planet,” 23 Jesup Road. (across from Westport Library). Through Nov. 30. Gallery hours: Thu 2-8 p.m.; Fri-Sun noon-6 p.m. 2020pppwestport.com
“World Peace Exhibit,” MoCA Westport, 19 Newtown Tpke. Through Jan. 17. $10, $5 students/ educators, seniors (60+), free children 12 & under, Military Personnel and Healthcare Providers with ID. 203-572-2720, mocawestport.org
“Westport In Focus,” online exhibit collaboration between the Westport Museum for History & Culture and Westport photographer Jerri Graham. The exhibit on social media platforms allows Westporters to tell their own stories about living in the town considered “ground zero” for the coronavirus epidemic in the state.