Get in a holiday mood at the Mattatuck Museum in Waterbury Dec. 20

The Mattatuck Museum is pleased to celebrate the holiday season with a concert featuring renowned tenor Michéal Castaldo and guest soprano Marissa Famiglietti on Sunday, December 20, 2015 at 3:00 p.m.

Michéal Castaldo, a classical crossover tenor and light Italian opera singer, songwriter and composer, is an Italian-born Canadian who currently resides in New York. Castaldo studied voice with Maestro Pisapia, a protégé of the great Italian operatic tenor, Enrico Caruso. He also studied at Oakwood Collegiate Institute in Toronto and Berklee College of Music in Boston. Opening and performing with Castaldo is Waterbury native Marissa Famiglietti. Ms. Famiglietti has been featured as a guest artist with the Concert Pops of Long Island and has been heard on tour throughout the East Coast as duet partner to renowned tenor and recording artist Michael Amante. She is a graduate of the Bachelor of Music and Master of Music programs at the esteemed Manhattan School of Music in New York City, where she was featured in numerous leading operatic roles.

A limited number of tickets will be available at the door so purchase your tickets early. Before December 18, tickets are $15 for Members, $20 for Non-Members. On or after December 18, tickets are $25 for Members and $30 for Non-Members. VIP (1^st or 2^nd rows) are $35 each. Cash bar. Light food and one drink are included in admission. Full payment must be received by December 18 for the discounted price. To register contact (203) 753-0381 x 130 or email informationdesk@mattatuckmuseum.org. 

    

Located in the heart of downtown Waterbury’s architectural district, the Mattatuck Museum is a vibrant destination known locally and regionally as a community-centered institution of American art and history. The Mattatuck Museum hosts numerous changing exhibitions each year as well as a permanent collection, which features 300 years of work by American artists. Explore the region’s history through interactive displays in the history exhibit and examine the intriguing Button Gallery featuring 10,000 buttons from all over the world.

For more area information www.litchfieldhills.com

Polar Express Pajama Party @ Maritime Aquarium Norwalk

Make a special holiday family memory on the weekend before Christmas with tasty treats and a giant-screen thrill ride to the North Pole during The Maritime Aquarium’s “‘Polar Express’ Pajama Parties.”

–  Share a gourmet hot chocolate and other delicious treats with the train conductor during “ ‘Polar Express’ Pajama Parties” for families on Sat., Dec. 19 and Sun., Dec. 20 at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk.  Activities begin both days at 9 a.m., followed by the feature-length holiday IMAX^® movie “The Polar Express” at 10 a.m. For prices, reservations or more details, go to www.maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

The  “‘Polar Express’ Pajama Parties” on Sat., Dec. 19 and Sun., Dec. 20 begin at 9 a.m. with a hot chocolate bar courtesy of South Norwalk’s renowned Chocopologie Cafe & Bistro. Guests can decorate their handmade artisan hot chocolate with whipped cream and a selection of exotic toppings provided by The Village Market in Wilton. Plus, choose from a delicious spread of holiday cookies by J&L Bakery in Norwalk. 

“Pajama Party” partiers also can pose for photos with the Aquarium’s train conductor and visit with Aquarium educators whose hands-on displays will explore strategies that animals use to keep warm in winter – all before the feature-length movie starts at 10 a.m.

“The Polar Express” movie expands on the 1986 Caldecott Award-winning book by Chris Van Allsburg. The story follows a young boy who doubts the existence of Santa Claus.  On Christmas Eve, a locomotive magically arrives to take him and other doubtful children to Santa's North Pole headquarters. Tom Hanks provides the voices of five characters, including the train conductor and Santa Claus.

“‘Polar Express’ Pajama Party” tickets are $17 for adults and $15 for kids 3-12 ($15 and $13 for Aquarium members). Each show is limited to 310 seats, so advance purchase is strongly recommended. Buy online at www.maritimeaquarium.org or call (203) 852-0700, ext. 2206.

Can’t make it that weekend but still want to see “The Polar Express?”  The animated film plays on the Aquarium’s six-story screen at 4 & 7:30 p.m. Fridays & Saturdays and at 4 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 20.  (Note that it will play only at 4 p.m. on Dec. 4.)  From Dec. 26-Jan. 3, “The Polar Express” will show at 4 & 7:30 p.m. daily.

Because “The Polar Express” is an hour and 40 minutes long, tickets are specially priced at: $11.50 for adults; $10.50 for youths (ages 13-17) & seniors (65+); and $9.50 for children 3-12.  Maritime Aquarium members save $1.

To include a visit to the Aquarium with “The Polar Express,” tickets are $31.45 for adults, $28.45 for youths & seniors, and $22.45 for children.

For more area information www.visitfairfieldcountyct.com