Learn the Most Embarrassing Things about George Washington Through Improv

On a one dollar bill, George Washington may appear to be an imposing figure, but did you know that he, too, was embarrassing sometimes? Join the Litchfield Historical Society in welcoming Christina Frei on Wednesday, January 8 at 3:00 pm as we explore the Top 10 Most Embarrassing Things about George Washington!

No need to sit in front of a screen on this half-day—using games, magic, and comedy improvisation, participants will learn all about our first president. Through this funny and interactive program, your kids will learn all sorts of new and embarrassing historical facts to share at the dinner table. No stage experience is necessary!

Christina Frei is a motivational youth speaker and performer from Connecticut. She uses stories about the Founding Fathers and their “Revolutionary thinking” to turn children into confident leaders. A master at storytelling, Frei has also written a book, 5 Rockstars of the American Revolution: Surprising Stories and Big Life Lessons of the Founding Fathers. She has been featured on the History Channel, the Today Show, and NBC News.

This event is open to kids ages 9 and up, and is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Registration is required—please register by Monday, January 6 for this event by calling (860) 567-4501.

The Litchfield History Museum is located at 7 South Street, Litchfield, CT. For more information about this or other programs, please call (860) 567-4501 or www.litchfieldhistoricalsociety.org.  For area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Stepping Stones Museum for Children Announces 2014 Around the World Program

Exposure to the world’s diverse cultures and customs provides priceless educational opportunities for our children. Through the Stepping Stone Museum for Children’s highly popular and award-winning Around the World programming, families can explore the world without leaving Norwalk through cultural programs brought to life.

The Stepping Stones Museum for Children is proud to announce the 12 Around the World “destinations” selected for each month of 2014. Frequent Around the World participants will be able to achieve “World Traveler” status and attend an exclusive end-of-the-year event in December 2014.

Since 2009, Stepping Stones has been transporting children and parents to 12 different parts of the world each year. Each month, museum guests get an extensive look at a different country’s customs through their engaging, interactive Around the World Performance Series events featuring youth performers and professional artists and musicians and their Around the World Creative Kids offering hands-on cultural craft activities.

Throughout the month, the designated country is represented on the museum’s walls with a map display and travel guide, in the Multimedia Gallery with a short film and interactive digital media floor games broadcast at various times each day and in the Family and Teacher Resource Center with the Around the World Bookshelf offering children’s books about the featured country.  School vacation weeks are dedicated to Around the World programs and include special crafts, story times and activities.

From the program’s inception, participants have been receiving a keepsake Around the World “passport” that is stamped to keep track of each destination they have “visited.”   Stepping Stones registers each child’s passport to keep track of his or her participation.  If a child “visits” at least 6 countries during the year, he or she will receive “World Traveler” status and will be invited to the special World Travelers’ event in December 2014.

Experiencing the world’s diverse cultures can be enriching and rewarding. Below is the 2014 roster of countries that will be “explored” at the Stepping Stones Museum for Children located on 303 West Avenue, exit 14N or 15S off I-95 in Norwalk.  Museum hours are Labor Day through Memorial Day, Tuesday—Sunday and holiday Mondays from 10 am-5pm; and Memorial Day through Labor Day, Monday-Sunday from 10 am-5 pm. Admission is $15 for adults and children and $10 for seniors. Children under 1 are free. To learn more, call 203 899 0606 or visit www.steppingstonesmuseum.org

2014 Around The World Performance Series Schedule:

January 18, 2014

Ballet Los Pampas – Argentina 

February 15, 2014

Soro Bindi – Ghana

March 8, 2014

Inca Son – Peru

April 19, 2014

Kahana Hula – Samoa

May 3, 2014

Rossijanochka Folk Dance Troupe – Russia

June 21, 2014

Didgequest  – Australia

July 26, 2014

Music and Dance of the Scottish Highlands – Scotland

August 16, 2014

Surcari  – Chile

September (Date TBA)

Greek Mythology – Greece

October 25, 2014

The Catskill Puppet Theater presents The Lion’s Whiskers – Ethiopia

November 8, 2014

Shane Long – United States (Native Americans)

December 13, 2014

ABBA Girlz – Sweden

Beardsley Zoo welcomes three new Nigerian Dwarf goats!

A special way to celebrate the New Year is to visit Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo. The Zoo welcomed a special delivery in December: Nigerian Dwarf goat triplets – two males and one female.

Their mother, “Cupcake,” is two years old and their father, “Rodney,” is a year and a half old. The baby goats, known as “kids,” are all healthy and happy. They join two additional kids, a male and a female born in early November. All five kids will be on exhibit through Spring 2014, at which time they will be transferred to their new home at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence, Rhode Island.

Cupcakes’ kids eat hay and grains and will spend the next few months nursing. The kids are not named as of yet. Rodney is the father of all five kids. Visitors may remember that Cupcake and Peaches both gave birth to twins this past spring. Rodney was the father of those four goats, as well. All four were transferred to Louisville Zoo in Louisville, Kentucky in August.
About Nigerian Dwarf goats

Nigerian Dwarf goats are miniature dairy goats. The milk produced by these goats has higher butterfat content than their larger counterparts and tastes much sweeter. A doe (a grown female) can produce up to two quarts of sweet milk a day. Most females will grow to around 18 inches, while males can reach 23 inches. They weigh just around 75 pounds when fully grown and can be a full spectrum of colors, from black, brown, and white to spotted or striped. Bucklings (young males) may be fertile around 7 weeks of age, while mature females can breed as early as 8 months of age. These goats can breed year round as the gestation period is approximately five months.


Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo is closer than you think and 362 days a year from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Adult admission (ages 12 & older) is $12.00, children (ages 3 -11) and senior admission (62 and older) is just $10.00, and children under 3 years old are free. Zoo members also are admitted free. Parking at the Zoo is free of charge. For more information www.beardsleyzoo.org

First Night Danbury

First Night Danbury 2013-2014, presented by Family & Children's Aid and CityCenter Danbury, will salute the “Young at Heart.”  E

njoying its 24th year as CityCenter downtown's family friendly New Year’s Eve celebration, 

First Night takes place on New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31st, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm in Danbury downtown venues, all within easy walking distance. The highly anticipated event, often shared by three or four generations of family and friends who've been attending since 1989 from throughout the Housatonic Valley and beyond, annually provides everyone a chance to close out a year and begin anew, with community enthusiasm and lots of surprises.

First Night will offer more than 30 entertainments and activities over its youthful and high-spirited 4 hours. A Vaudeville at the Palace Danbury traditionally anchors the evening, this year starring ventriloquist Kenny Warren & his "smarty pants" sidekick Leroy Cool. Seen on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," this extraordinary vocal illusionist has been one of the best known opening acts for many of America's leading headline performers, including Jerry Seinfeld, Rosie O'Donnell, Richard Pryor, Robert Klein and Rodney Dangerfield. Of course, Leroy Cool is no slouch either. He's always by Kenny's side. They will be joined on the stage of Danbury’s 1928 vaudeville house by Connecticut's newest improv group, A Work in Progress, and the jaw-dropping stunts of LuckyBob. Music, Variety, Children’s Activities, Arts & Crafts, Novelties & Exhibitions are planned for every age group, every interest, and every entertainment. There’s Magic, Giant Puppets, Storytelling, Ice Sculpting, special workshops with the Danbury Whalers hockey team, and much more.

Other artists, activities and participants include: Teen rock band Marmalade Sky, two DJ's, Dave Wonsey's Drum Circle, the Easton Banjo Society, the New Hope Mass Choir, and 8-year-old aspiring engineer Leo Luning. Food Truck fare on Liberty Street will keep First Night revelers merry and warm!  And don’t forget to join everyone for the “Young at Heart” FINALE  at 7:30pm on Library Plaza  with carols and line dancing led by DJ Jim Fairchild, Linda Peck Juggling, Mortal Beasts & Deities Stilts & Large Puppets, Ice Matters’ Sculptures, and Hot Cider & Cookies courtesy of Danbury Parking Authority.

First Night buttons, perfect gifts for family, friends, neighbors, business colleagues and stocking stuffing, cost $10 – the price of a movie ticket! – or $8 (a discount of $2 each) if you purchase 20 or more. They are currently available Monday through Friday 10:00am to 5pm – and on Saturday, December 21st and Saturday, December 28th from noon to 3:00pm – at the CityCenter offices, 187 Main Street.  Buttons in bulk (20 or more) can also be purchased through special arrangement outside of regular business hours. Look for buttons on sale at local outlets, including 

Union Savings Bank locations in Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield and New Fairfield; Savings Bank of Danbury locations in Danbury, Bethel, Brookfield, Newtown, New Fairfield, and New Milford; Patriot Parking Garage, Danbury;  Danbury Library;  Danbury Museum & Historical Society;  Appearances Hair Salon, New Milford; and The Sweet Spot, New Milford.

 You can also purchase First Night buttons through PayPal by visiting www.citycenterdanbury.com For information, call (203) 792 1711.

First Night Venues & Performers

Artist bios and other program information are listed under the host site chronologically so that when you visit, you may check out what’s happening there all in one place. 

DANBURY ARENA 1Independence Way

Kids’ Crafts with Kerri LuBell (NY)

4:00 - 7:00pm

Go creative! Kerri’s clever arts and crafts creations have always insured that a child of any age goes home with playful memories... and a keepsake souvenir. 

Danbury Whalers Workshops (CT)

4:30 - 5:15pm & 6:00 - 6:45pm

Danbury’s own Federal Hockey League Champion Danbury Whalers, based at the Danbury Ice Arena, invite you into their home-on-ice for a whirlwind introduction to what they do best - Skate! Their name comes from the Hartford Whalers who were a professional ice hockey team based in Connecticut and played in Hartford from 1975-1997 before relocating to North Carolina. 

Public Skate (discount with button)

5:00 - 7:00pm

Admission is only $3 for everyone with a First Night button. If you don’t have your own skates, you can rent a pair for $4. Get on the ice tonight!

DANBURY LIBRARY 170 Main Street

Coconuts (CT)

4:00 - 5:15pm on the Main Level

A family-friendly music and comedy show that will have you laughing, clapping and singing along to the music of The Beatles, Four Seasons, Neil Diamond and lots of other classics. You’ll also hear hilarious parodies of some of your favorite songs. The band you won’t forget.

Marty the Magician with Lee Winters (NY)

4:00 - 7:00pm in the Farioly Room

Marty joins First Night Danbury with a decade with us under his top hat. A popular fixture on New Year’s Eve, his prestidigitation entertains children of all ages with a personal flair! He is past president of the Danbury Top Hatters Society of American Magicians. Kid Magician Lee Winters is a 2nd Place Winner at The Tannen's Magic Camp. 

Ice Matters (CT)

4:00 - 8:00pm on Library Plaza

A First Night staple, this award wnning ice carving company always captures First Night’s theme with artistry and good humor. A National Ice Carving Champion, owner Bill Covitz began his career as a graduating chef from the Culinary Institute of America. He now spends some of his time creating ice instruments on the mountaintops of Norway. 

The Storycrafters (NY)

5:45 - 6:30pm & 6:45 - 7:30pm on the Main Level

Jeri Burns and Barry Marshall have been working together as The Storycrafters since 1991. Their natural, energetic style has been featured in major festivals, schools and libraries in the US, Europe, and the West Indies. With awards from Parents Choice, The Oppenheim Toy Portfolio and Storytelling World, they specialize in original retellings and modern renditions of world folklore - crafted with pizzazz! 

DJ Jim Fairchild (CT)

6:00 - 8:00pm on Library Plaza

Jim has been packing dance floors for nearly 30 years for a laundry list of Who's Who. His clients have included Adam Yauch of The Beastie Boys, Sally Jesse Raphael & Michael Bolton, plus many others in the public's eye. Jim is one of the top DJ Entertainers in our region.

Mortal Beasts & Deities (CT)

6:00 - 8:00pm wandering Main Street beginning at Library Plaza. Parade with them back to Library Plaza for the closing gathering at 7:30pm

Mortal Beasts & Deities, led by Mark Alexander of northwestern Connecticut, 

has been creating Controlled Mayhem and Earnest Frivolity with their Larger Than Life  Puppets and Splendiferous Stilt Dancers around the United States and Internationally since 1996. Look for a Flock of Doves!  

Linda Peck (MA)

6:30 - 8:00pm on Library Plaza

Linda Peck will light up the night for First Night Danbury as Vincent Van Gogh’s “Starry Night.” Her  moving muse “has audiences spellbound” as she spins an orb on a parasol, all the while standing on a golden globe There may even be a meteor shower of light as Linda swings and juggles fire. 

“Young at Heart” Finale

7:30 - 8:15pm on Library Plaza

Featuring DJ Jim Fairchild, Linda Peck, Mortal Beasts & Deities, Ice Matters, and Hot Cider and Cookies courtesy of the Danbury Parking Authority. 

DANBURY MUSIC CENTRE 256 Main Street

Dave Wonsey (CT)

4:00 - 5:00pm

Dave has facilitated Synergy Drum Circles since 1996. Dave became a World Champion drummer at the age of 16. In a career that has him to Carnegie Hall at the Cathefral of St. John the Divine, he covers a variety of styles including Jazz & Rock, Orchestral Percussion & World Percussion... even Snare Drum for Bagpipe Bands. His communal Drum Circles always are an uplifting jam. Just show up and play, hard and loud. 

Masque Theatre (CT)

5:30 - 6:15pm & 6:45 - 7:30pm

Masque Theatre’s Larry Hunt is an actor, director, mask maker, and educator. He has performed throughout most of the United States, Canada, China, Japan, Australia, Poland, Denmark, Finland, Israel, Bulgaria, Serbia, Czech Republic and more. Since 1980, Larry has produced and performed his own original theater works that combine historical mask traditions with innovative approaches to body movement and improvisation. 

PALACE DANBURY 165 Main Street

Easton Banjo Society (CT)

4:00 - 4:30 pm, 5:00 - 5:30pm & 6:00 - 6:30pm in the Lobby

Entertaining audiences of all ages for over half a century since founded in Easton, CT in 1957, the group serves up an unique American sound, drawn mainly from the mid-1800's to the easily 1930's, with banjos, sousaphone, drums, and washboard. 

 

Kenny Wilson & Leroy Cool (NY)

Vaudevilles: 4:30 - 5:15pm; 5:30 - 6:15pm; 6:30 - 7:15pm

Seen on NBC's "Last Comic Standing," vocal illusionist extraordinaire Kenny Warren has been one of the best known opening acts for many of America's leading headline performers, including Jerry Seinfeld, Rosie O'Donnell, Richard Pryor, Robert Klein and Rodney Dangerfield. Of course, Leroy Cool is no slouch either. He's always by Kenny's side. The team's comic antics will headline the Palace Danbury vaudeville with A Work in Progress and LuckyBob. 

A Work in Progress (CT)

Vaudevilles: 4:30 - 5:15pm; 5:30 - 6:15pm; 6:30 - 7:15p

Connecticut’s newest improv group serving Fairfield County and based out of A Common Ground right here in the heart of downtown Danbury.  Members include founder James Diamond, improv veterans Andree Lambertson and Christopher Dube, and newcomer and rising star Ryan Cummins. Together they have over 40 years of combined improv experience. 

LuckyBob (MA)

Vaudevilles: 4:30 - 5:15pm; 5:30 - 6:15pm; 6:30 - 7-15pm

LuckyBob is perfect blend of magic, juggling and comedy. From beginning to end, LuckyBob's superb skill and affable personality will entertain, mystify and keep you wanting more. High-Energy, Jaw-Dropping Stunts and the wit of a seasoned comedian, LuckyBob proves he can do anything with his uncanny juggling skills.

ST. JAMES’ CHURCH 25 West Street

Linda Parker (CT)

4:00 - 4:45pm

Ms. Parker has sung at St. James Church for many years, performs with the Danbury Chorus, St. John’s Chorale in Washington CT, and at New Milford Fair Days. Her repertoire includes classical and sacred works as as pieces from the legenday Broadway songbook. A 2012 First Place winner of the National Association of Teachers of Singing award, Linda is currently a member of the Waterbury Chorale.

New Hope Mass Choir (CT)

5:15 - 6:00pm

The New Hope Baptist Church Mass Choir (Reverend LeRoy G. Parker) was formed in 2003. With their mission to spread the “good news,” The choir has had a long history of serving the Greater Danbury community and many other cities inside and outside of New Hope's  entire music ministry is comprised of the mass choir, the male chorus, the Praise Team, the Youth Choir and the Sounds of Joy children's choir. The choirs are under the musical direction of Minister of Music Brother Jonathan Hill and choir director Sister Corean Strong. 

Mad Hatters Barbershop Chorus (CT)

6:30 - 7:15pm

A non-profit fraternal organization the Mad Hatters are affiliated with the 24,000 member Barbershop Harmony Society.  Since 1966, Danbury's popular a cappella troupe has  promoted in song one of the city's historic industries, singing four-part harmony in the " barbershop style," featuring a rich repertoire of love songs, movie and Broadway Show tunes, folk, doo-wop, patriotic and 19th century vaudeville melodies. 

UNION SAVINGS BANK AT THE GALLERIA 225 Main Street

DJ/MC Man-u-iLL (CT)

4:00 - 7:30pm

Considered among Hip-Hop’s best, Man-u-iLL was discovered as the proprietor of iLL iNK Graphic & Printing Services on Main Street. “Music is a reflection of life, opinions, thoughts, and feelings... Words are power and my aim is to spark brain cells and move hearts.” 

Portuguese Traditional Games (CT)

4:00 - 7:30pm

Always welcomed at First Night and CityCenter events throughout the season, this group demonstrates the key components of games: goals, rules, challenges, and interaction. For the past 15 years under mentor Antonio Heitor, this group of young people find that the best feeling of all is when the older crowd expresses their memories of playing the same games.

Masque Theatre Istallation (CT)

4:00 - 7:30pm

A cascade of Larry Hunt’s exquisitely handcrafted and evocative masks. 

HEIRLOOM  ARTS THEATRE 155 Main Street at the end of Palace Walk

Marmalade Sky (CT)

4:45 - 5:30pm, 6:00 - 6:45pm

Jason, Josh and Ben - friends for over 10 years - started jamming together at Band Camp three years ago, where they met drummer Max.  The boys were later joined by Amber on vocals. Marmalade Sky has been rocking crowds throughout CT & NY, winning the Ridgefield BandJam competitions in 2012 & 2013. Audiences are wowed by the professional quality music, spot-on covers & remarkable originals. Most importantly, the band has fun! 

ESCAPE TO THE ARTS 293 Main Street

Craft Projects
5:00 – 7:00 pm
Fun new craft! Create and take home your own miniature yarn doll. Face painting will also be available.

Gallery Exhibition: For Emilie 
5:00 – 7:00 pm
View exhibit of colorful paintings created by artists of all ages in honor of former ESCAPE student and Sandy Hook victim Emilie Parker.   

PLAY N TRADE 147 Main Street

4:00 - 7:30pm

Video gaming (discount with button)

CULTURAL ALLIANCE OF WESTERN CT @287 287 Main Street

BlueBossa (CT)

4:30 - 7:00pm

This Danbury-based group plays bossa nova, Latin jazz, samba from Rio and folkloric traditional songs. The group featuresTom Wolff on guitar and flute, Colin Mayo on guitar, João Nunes vocals, Fernanda Franco vocals, Keith McDade on bass, and Jake Habegger on drums. A great way to celebrate Danbury’s rich Brazilian history. 

DANBURY INNOVATION CENTER 158 Main Street

4:00 - 7:30pm

The Danbury Innovation Center, newly opening, will be the home of the Danbury Hackerspace, Western Connecticut Score, and will be a co-working and event space. Guest innovator is Leo Luning, a third-grader at Hudson Country Montessori School.  His favorite activities are those where he can express his creativity using things he has learned about the world.  Inspired by seeing a 3-D printer at Danbury’s First Night last year, Leo not only wanted to use one, but built a 3-D printer himself! 

December Creature Cruises in Long Island Sound

Bundle up for a fun journey out onto Long Island Sound in hopes of seeing some of the seals that spend the winter just off our shores during The Maritime Aquarium’s new season of Winter Creature Cruises.

These invigorating cruises seek out the harbor seals and gray seals that have been coming down into the Sound each winter. Educators on board the research vessel Oceanic will point out these federally protected marine mammals and talk about their natural histories. They’ll also help identify such winter waterfowl as buffleheads, mergansers and long-tailed ducks.

The 2013-14 Winter Creature Cruise season kicks off the weekend of Dec. 28-29 and will be offered on many Saturdays & Sundays through April 5.  Dates and departure times will vary by the tide schedule.  Initial cruises are: Sat., Dec. 28 at 1 p.m.; Sun., Dec. 29 at 1:30 p.m.; and Sat., Jan. 11 at 1 p.m.  See the full season schedule at www.maritimeaquarium.org.

Tickets for a Winter Creature Cruise are $22.95, or $17.95 for Aquarium members.  Participants must be at least 42 inches tall.  We recommend that you bring binoculars and plenty of warm clothes!

Space on the Oceanic is limited so advance reservations are strongly recommended. Walk-up tickets will be sold, space permitting. The cruises depart from the dock outside the Aquarium’s IMAX movie theater.

For area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com.

Gregory James - Holiday Show

Gregory James Gallery - Fine Art & the Art of Framing located at 93 Park Lane road (route 202), New Milford, Connecticut, is pleased to announce its annual Holiday Art Show. The exhibit opens Saturday, December 14, and runs through Saturday, January 26, 2013.

The holiday show will feature Southbury, CT painter Thomas Adkins. Adkins recently painted a series of Lake Waramaug scenes.  The gallery is also pleased to exhibit several of Washington, CT artist Vincent Giarrano’s genre paintings of contemporary life. Other gallery artists will included Scott Zuckerman of West Cornwall, CT, Christopher Magadini of Croton-on-Hudson, NY, Aviary sculptor Bill Rice of Warren, CT, and many others. Gregory James Gallery’s Holiday Art Show is a great opportunity to give someone the gift of an original work of art.  The offerings are a perfect way to begin a new or enhance an established collection.

For more information, please call Gregory James Mullen at 860-354-3436, or visit their website: www.gregoryjamesgallery.com. The gallery hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10-6, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday 10-5, and Sunday 11-4 or by appointment.

For area information www.litchfieldhills.com