December 3 and 4, 2011

Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend on Greenwich Avenue

Shop, Dine, Save and Be Merry as you stroll downtown Greenwich with family and friends to celebrate the 3rd annual Greenwich Holiday Stroll Weekend, December 3 and 4. Enjoy carolers, musicians, professional ice sculptors, face-painting, complimentary holiday refreshments and horse-drawn carriage rides. Visit live reindeer and get your photos with Santa at McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center. Over 100 participating merchants offering holiday promotions and refreshments. PARKING IS FREE! Shoppers are encouraged to make a donation to Kids in Crisis at all participating stores. Look for the Lucite donation boxes. Visit Live reindeer and photos with Santa at McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center.

10 AM: Greenwich Holiday Stroll Kick-off
11 AM - 6 PM: Special promotions, food and beverages featured in downtown Greenwich merchants
11 AM - 6 PM: Live Music featuring Holiday Carolers and WGCH AM 1490 simulcast
12 Noon - 3 PM: Horse Drawn Carriage Rides
12 Noon - 3 PM: Ice Sculpture Competition
3:15 PM: Ice Sculpture Competition Judging Begins
4:00 PM: Ice Sculpture Competition Winners Announced!
Visit Live Reindeer and Photos with Santa at McArdle’s Florist & Garden Center

12 Noon - 5 PM: Special promotions, food and beverages featured in downtown Greenwich merchants
Noon - 5 PM: Ice Sculpture Competition ice carvings on display
12 Noon - 5 PM Live Music featuring Holiday Carolers and WGCH AM 1490 simulcast

Location: Downtown Greenwich, CT. Click here for a listing of participating merchants »

December 3 through 4, 2011

Greenwich Holiday Art Show and Champagne Reception - Arch Street

You Are Invited To A Champagne Reception featuring paintings by Will McCarthy on Friday, December 2nd, from 5:00 to 8:00 pm. Also a "Meet The Artist Open House" will take place on Saturday, Dec 3rd from 11:00 to 5:00 pm and on Sunday, Dec. 4th, from 12:00-4:00 pm. SM HOME is located just off Greenwich Avenue on Arch Street.

SM HOME
70 Arch Street
Greenwich, CT 06830
Please RSVP to (203) 629-8121
www.sandramorganinteriors.com

December 2 — 3, 2011

New Canaan Chamber of Commerce: Holiday Stroll

December 3, 2011

Old Greenwich First Light Festival

December 3 — 4, 2011

Silvermine Arts Center: Holiday Art Sale

Wonderful gifts are available in a variety of media created by the talented students and faculty of the School of Art. Original works, all available at attractive prices, include ceramics, prints, paintings, photography, sculpture and wearable art such as jewelry, scarves, felt hats and handbags. In the spirit of the season, a portion of the proceeds for all sales support the School of Art Children's Scholarship Fund. Saturday, December 3, 2011 from 10:00 to 4:00. Sunday, December 4, 2011 from 1:00 to 5:00.

Silvermine Guild Arts Center
1037 Silvermine Road, New Canaan, CT
Phone: (203) 966-9700
www.silvermineart.org/holidaysale

December 4, 2011

Heights & Lights Holiday Tree Lighting

From twenty-two stories high above Stamford Downtown, watch and cheer for Santa Claus as he makes his daredevil descent, twisting and flying from the top of Stamford’s tallest office building, Landmark Square. Then follow Santa for an evening of holiday fun with the Activities for Kids Chorus directed by Jerry Pia and the annual holiday lighting ceremony. The event takes place on Sunday, December 4th at 5 pm, Landmark Square and Latham Park, Stamford, CT.

Stamford Town Center
(203) 348-5285
www.stamford-downtown.com

December 4, 2011

25th Annual Holiday House Tour —
Westport Historical Society

A self-guided odyssey of Architecture, Art and Antiques, in five marvelous homes including a festive post-tour wine & hors d’oeuvres celebration and silent auction. Please join the Westport Historical Society to celebrate the day’s pleasures at a savory hors d’oeuvres & silent auction party, Twilight Soirée, at yet another fabulous home, specially decorated for this event. Stroll around, sample the wines and hors d’oeuvres, enjoy the live music, place a bid or two. Tickets may be picked up at the Westport Historical Society, Mon. Nov. 28 to Sun., Dec. 4, 2011, 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets will not be mailed. Events will be held, snow or shine. Tickets are $50 Non-members, $40 Members, $55 Day of Tour.

Westport Historical Society
25 Avery Place, Westport, CT
(203) 222-1424
www.westporthistory.org

December 6 and 7, 2011

Antiquarius 2011 — Holiday House Tour & Boutique

The 2011 lineup features five fabulous homes ranging from the shore to the back country that will run the gamut from contemporary chic to classic elegance and will highlight the work of emerging new talent as well as recognized names in the design community. In addition to the Country Club buffet lunch, Grab & Go box lunches will be available for pickup at the Boutique. (Advance reservations are required for both box and buffet lunches.) Tuesday, December 6th, 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm: Meet designer Katie Ridder for a book signing and informal discussion of her latest work. Passed light hors d'oeuvres and cash bar. Wednesday, December 7th: Holiday Boutique, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Private Club, 19 Doubling Road, Greenwich, CT. Holiday House Tour: Wednesday, December 7th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Antiquarius is the umbrella for a series of major fundraising events for the Greenwich Historical Society held annually in late fall. Support for Antiquarius provides funding for the Historical Society’s education programs that serve more than 4,000 visiting school children. Visit www.hstg.org for full details.

Greenwich Historical Society
39 Strickland Road, Cos Cob, CT
(203) 869-6899
www.hstg.org

December 9 and 10, 2011

New Canaan Holiday House Tour: "Homes for the Holidays"

The 2011 “Homes for the Holidays” House Tour will take place on Friday, December 9 and Saturday, December 10. The tour features five spectacular homes of historic, cultural, or architectural significance, each festively decorated by professional interior designers. Your ticket allows for access to the tour on both Friday and Saturday. Tickets are $75 if purchased in advance, $85 if purchased the day of the event. Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Click here to take a sneak peak at the homes on the tour »

Newcomers Club of New Canaan
www.newcanaannewcomers.com

December 9 and 11, 2011

Bush-Holley House by Candlelight: Special Holiday Tours

Bush-Holley House will once again be decked out in its holiday best as docents in period costumes conduct special tours that weave a spell of Christmas past at "the old house". Visitors will be treated to apple cider and holiday goodies in the Storehouse Gallery shop. Join the Greenwich Historical Society for this beloved holiday tradition. Special Holiday Tours: Friday, December 9th and Sunday, December 11th. Tours every quarter hour from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. No reservations required. Free to members. Non-members: $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and students; children under six free.

Storehouse Gallery
Greenwich Historical Society
39 Strickland Road, Cos Cob, CT
www.hstg.org

December 11, 2011

Victorian Holiday Open House: Lockwood-Mathews Mansion

On Sunday, December 11th, the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum invites visitors to a festive family event and four full hours of entertainment, all in the spirit of an old-fashioned community celebration sponsored by the Xerox Foundation and Stew Leonard’s. Admission is only $5 for the entire family attending any and all events throughout the day.

1:00 — 1:30 p.m. — The Holiday Open House opens with a concert by the Norwalk High School Chamber Singers. The Chamber Singers are a top, award-winning, vocal performance group.

1:30 — 2:30 p.m. — "Punch’s Holiday Adventure" will delight children and adults with many of the characters and routines of Holiday Season’s puppetry and feature renowned master of traditional live puppet performance, Fred Greenspan.

2:30 — 3:30 p.m. — By popular demand, the "Doll and Teddy Bear Victorian Tea Party" returns. This is a chance for children to have lots of fun, dress up, bring a favorite bear, a doll, or a toy and practice good etiquette, as the Mansion continues its tradition of High Tea during the Holiday Season. Volunteers will be dressed in Victorian costumes and serve tea, cider, and seasonal treats to children and their favorite friends. Proper attire for this very elegant, one-of-a-kind party is recommended. Girls and their dolls are more than welcome to wear their best tiaras and pearls. A tea party bingo will end this joyful and playful event with lots of prizes. (Seating limited - Reservations required by December 8 for the Tea Party.)

3:30 — 4:30 p.m. — A holiday favorite, Santa Claus will be closing the Holiday Open House and spend a full hour at the Mansion greeting children and reading their wish lists before he heads back to the North Pole.

Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum
295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT
(203) 838-9799
www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com

December 13, 2011

Join Chef Jehan deNoüe, resident chef at Albano Appliance & Service in Pound Ridge, NY, as he works his magic on the stage of the Ridgefield Playhouse. Born and raised in France, Jehan deNoüe has almost 40 years of experience in the cooking and restaurant business and will prepare a classic holiday meal, that will start with a sumptuous cheese platter, and include chateaubriand, a special holiday punch and decadent dessert. In the lobby there will be make-up tips from Adam Broderick Salon & Spa,Cheese from 109 Cheese, Wine from Cellar XV and great gift ideas from Lyn Evans Potpourri Designs, Rockwell Art & Framing and Stell and Dot Jewelry. Tues., 12/13/2011 - 7:30pm. Ticket Price: $15.00.

www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org/event/Holiday-Cooking-Chef-Jehan-De-Noue

Ridgefield Playhouse
80 East Ridge
Ridgefield, CT 06877
Phone: (203) 438-5795
www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org

Through December 17, 2011

The Rye Arts Center’s Annual Arts Faculty Exhibit

This annual event offers the public an opportunity to see recent work from The Rye Arts Center’s exceptional faculty of teaching artists. The Rye Arts Center boasts a vibrant community of teaching artists that have shown throughout the New York metropolitan area, as well as across the United States. Each artist has a selection of recent works drawing from their area of expertise. The Rye Arts Center is a community-based not-for-profit organization whose mission is to inspire interest and maximum participation in the arts. They are committed to offering programs that are characterized by artistic tradition, educational value, and a spirit of innovation.

Gallery Hours: Tuesday: 9:30 – 3:30 pm, Wednesday – Friday: 10:00 – 4:00 pm, Saturday: 9:30 – 3:30 pm.

The Rye Arts Center
51 Milton Road
Rye, New York 10580
Phone: (914) 967-0700
www.ryeartscenter.org

Through December 23, 2011

Craft USA: Silvermine Arts Center

Craft USA celebrates craft as art. It is recognized as an exhibit of merit where original works of art made by hand are showcased. The competition draws over 1000 entries and over 400 artists from coast to coast working in various mediums such as ceramics, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, paper, wood, basketry and mixed media. This year’s juror is Holly Hotchner, Director of the Museum of Arts and Design (MAD) in New York City, where she has been since 1996. Exhibition runs through December 23rd.

Silvermine Guild Arts Center
1037 Silvermine Road, New Canaan, CT
Phone: (203) 966-9700
www.silvermineart.org/craft-usa

December 31, 2011

First Night: Westport/Weston

First Night Westport/Weston is a community-wide celebration of New Year's Eve through the arts. Over thirty events featuring performances for children, teens and adults are presented throughout downtown Westport.Family theater, horse drawn carriage rides, teen entertainment at Toquet Hall until midnight, circus acts, face painting, Chris Coogan live jazz, rockabilly, blues piano, a magic genie, an open mike and fireworks at 8:30 p.m. and midnight are just some of what the town has on tap to ring in 2012. The festivities begin at 4 p.m. and run straight through until the clock strikes twelve. Buttons cost $15 each but will be available at $10 from December 1 through December 14th. Buttons may be purchased on the web site or in person. Click here for locations.

First Night: Westport/Weston
P.O. Box 745, Westport, CT 06880
(203) 341-1041
www.firstnightww.com

November 19, 2011 — January 2, 2012

Festive Christmas Celebrations at the Newport Mansions

Spectacular decorations will soon deck the halls of The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House, as The Preservation Society of Newport County prepares to welcome visitors for Christmas at the Newport Mansions, from November 19, 2011 through January 2, 2012. Holiday music, tours, shopping events, a holiday dinner dance and visits from Santa Claus will bring the season to life at three of America's grandest historic houses.

Decorations at the mansions include decorated Christmas trees of various sizes, dozens of wreaths, hundreds of yards of garland and thousands of flowers, including poinsettia plants, lilies, roses, carnations and potted palms. Period-style ornaments are used to decorate many of the trees, and white candles illuminate the windows. There will be several new features to the decorations this season, including an elaborate, custom-made Nativity scene to be displayed in the Gold Room of Marble House, with figures dressed in gold, green and ivory fabric to coordinate with the window coverings and upholstery in the room.

Three Houses Open Daily: Christmas officially arrives at the Newport Mansions on Saturday, November 19. The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House will be fully decorated and open daily for tours, except Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, through January 2, 2012. A Winter Passport ticket providing daytime admission to all three houses can be purchased for $28 for adults, $9 for children 6-17. Children under the age of 6 are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.NewportMansions.org, or at each property.

The Preservation Society of Newport County
424 Bellevue Avenue
Newport, RI 02840
(401) 847-1000 ext. 131
www.NewportMansions.org

Through January 8, 2012

A Grand Victorian Holiday at the Mansion

The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum will celebrate the Holiday Season with an array of educational programs and events to be enjoyed by the entire community. The “Grand Victorian Holiday at the Mansion” will start on Friday, November 25, 2011, the day after Thanksgiving, with the unveiling of three exhibits: Toys and Trees of Christmas Past: 1850s to 1900s will explore the development of the Christmas holiday during the Victorian era in America; Bountiful Poinsettias: Florence Mathews’ Holiday Tradition, will feature a display of holiday blossoms in reverence to one of the original owners of the Mansion; and Dining Customs of the 1850s & 1860s: à la Française will introduce visitors to the dining customs that were popular in the mid-19th century. Curated by Stacey Danielson, LMMM Curatorial Consultant. November 25, 2011 through January 8, 2012. Wed-Sun from 12-4 p.m. $10 Adults - $8 Seniors - $6 (8-18 yrs old).

Lockwood Mathews Mansion Museum
295 West Avenue, Norwalk, CT
(203) 838-9799
www.lockwoodmathewsmansion.com

February 3, 2012

Stamford Museum and Nature Center: South American Adventure

Join Chris Evers, director and founder of Animal Embassy, for this exciting look at the incredible and varied wildlife of South America. Meet a variety of South American Animal Ambassadors representing diverse habitats and reflecting the amazing diversity of life on Earth. Discover how these creatures adapt to unending challenges in their own unique ways, and see some of the unique strategies that have helped these animals to survive in their particular environments. Then, explore the Pantanal region of Brazil with Chris' amazing photographs and stories. Learn about conservation issues as you view images of one of the world's largest wetlands. View photos of Jaguars, Giant Otters, Toucans, Hyacinth Macaws and Caimans.

Pre-registration is required. Space is limited, please call (203) 977-6521 to register. Members: $5.00, Non-Members: $8.00. 6:00 to 6:45 pm (Ages 3 - 6), 7 to 8 pm (Ages 6 & older).

Stamford Museum & Nature Center
39 Scofieldtown Road
Stamford CT 06903
(203) 977-6538
www.stamfordmuseum.org

April 17 — 20, 2012

The New York Tabletop Show

See the finest names and newest trends in Tabletop Giftware at Forty One Madison. Giftware, Dinnerware, Flatware and Housewares brands of exceptional design and quality. Pre-Registration is open exclusively to the trade, including Wholesale Buyers, Designers, Chefs and the Hospitality Industry. Pre-registration will expedite your check-in process, and automatically subscribe you to our mailing list for occasional updates. Please note that your photo identification and appropriate business identification will be required to enter the building.
Click here to Pre-Register.

The New York Merchandise Mart
Forty One Madison Avenue
New York, NY

Varoius Dates

Culinary Classes

Join Clarke, Connecticut's kitchen resource center as they celebrate their recently opened cooking school, The Clarke Culinary Center. Learn to cook with some serious techniques and culinary secrets from your favorite restaurants. Classes range from $50 to $85 per person and include all food, equipment and tastings. Reservations are required. Please check web site to confirm dates and times: www.clarkecorp.com/ChefSeries

The Clarke Culinary Center
64 South Main Street
South Norwalk, CT
(800) 842-5275 Ext. 206
www.clarkeculinarycenter.com

On-Going: Exhibit: New Canaan Architects — 1953-1983

Exhibited on the second floor of the New Canaan Historical Society's Town House is an overview of thirty years of work by New Canaan architects. Most of the works selected for this exhibit are located out of New Canaan, for as their fame spread, commissions took the architects far and wide, and their styles developed in a variety of architectural expressions. Included among the works in the exhibit are personal interpretations of the International Style, restorations, eclecticisms, and Post-Modern allusions to our past.

The New Canaan Historical Society, 13 Oenoke Ridge, is open Tuesday through Saturday: 9:30 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. On Saturdays, the gallery is closed between 12:30 and 2 p.m. For further information, call (203) 966-1776 or visit www.nchistory.org

On-Going:

The vision of the Stamford Center for the Arts is to be the regional arts center for exciting entertainment that enhances and enriches the cultural, educational, economic, and social life of the community. The SCA strives to achieve this vision by demonstrating integrity in all work and relationships, providing service and quality in all activities, fostering and promoting diversity of thought, ideas and culture, providing stewardship for the Stamford Arts community, emphasizing outreach in our community, and offering creativity in all endeavors. Major funding provided by the Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism. Click here to view the upcoming show schedules.

Stamford Center for the Arts
61 Atlantic Street
Stamford, CT 06901
(203) 325-4466 www.stamfordcenterforthearts.org

On-Going:

Exhibition: Reframing American Art: The Roy R. Neuberger Collection

The works of art included in this exhibition are selections from Roy R. Neuberger’s (American, born 1903) generous gift to Purchase College, State University of New York, which helped to establish the Neuberger Museum of Art. In addition to the many iconic paintings and sculptures for which the collection is known is a presentation of photographs, drawings, and prints never before exhibited. Bold groupings and expanded texts shed new light on the aesthetic and social commitments of leading American artists in the middle of the twentieth century.

Neuberger Museum of Art
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577
Phone: (914) 251-6117  www.neuberger.org

On-Going:

Exhibition: The African Collection of the Neuberger Museum of Art

The African Collection of the Neuberger Museum of Art provides an introduction to the richness and complexity of the artistic traditions of Africa.

Focusing on central Africa, the collection spans a broad geographic range from Mali to Mozambique, offering artistic insight into more than thirty cultures.

Of the major works on display, many come from the collection of the late Lawrence Gussman, a notable collector and resident of Scarsdale, New York. Among them are a very rare harp, indeed the only anthropomorphic harp of the Tsogo peoples of Gabon known to be in an American museum, and two forceful Fang reliquary guardian figures.

Visit the AFRICAN ART WEBSITE www.neuberger.org/africanArt, which showcases many outstanding examples from the collection, including 360 degree views of several objects.

Neuberger Museum of Art
735 Anderson Hill Road, Purchase, NY 10577
Open: Tuesday - Sunday, 12 - 5 pm
Phone: 914.251.6100 (Mon. - Fri., 8:30 am - 5:30 pm)
Phone: 914.251.6117 (Sat. - Sun., 12 noon - 5 pm)
www.neuberger.org

Various Dates:

IMAX Films: Maritime Aquarium

It’s been circling the earth – and advancing our understanding of the universe – for nearly 20 years. The Hubble Space Telescope returns to Fairfield County and shares its celestial wonders in this incredible new IMAX® movie. Through the power of the immersive IMAX format, audiences will almost feel the weightlessness of space and the weighty task facing the space-walking astronauts assigned to carry out the final mission to update the telescope. “Hubble” also offers an incredible never-before-seen “flight” through Hubble imagery, providing a first-person journey from the Orion Nebula to the far reaches of our universe. The 43-minute film is rated G, and is suitable for all ages. 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. /daily.

"Mysteries of the Great Lakes", a new IMAX® movie at Norwalk's Maritime Aquarium, lets you bask in the beauty of America's "inland seas" and join scientists working to reintroduce an ancient species. The film celebrates one of Earth's greatest freshwater ecosystems, and is a rallying cry for the lakes' continued protection. The Maritime Aquarium features an 2-D IMAX® Theater with a six story high screen. Huge, crisp images make you feel like you’re inside the action; and the 10,000-watt digital propietary surround-sound audio system completes a total immersion movie experience. Noon and 2 p.m. /daily.

Maritime Aquarium
10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT
To confirm show times, call (203) 852-0700
www.maritimeaquarium.org

On-Going Exhibit:

New Exhibit: Maritime Aquarium

Explore our important relationship with fish – past, present and future – in “Go Fish! Long Island Sound & Beyond,” a permanent new exhibit featuring live local species and interactive displays, at The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk. Centerpiece of the exhibit is a new 30,000-gallon tank stocked with cod, striped bass, Atlantic salmon, tautogs, wolffish and spiny dogfish sharks. Soon to be added to the tank is an enormous 7-foot Atlantic halibut, the largest species of flatfish on our coast.

Maritime Aquarium
10 North Water Street, Norwalk, CT
To confirm show times, call (203) 852-0700
www.maritimeaquarium.org

On-Going:

The world’s leading performing arts center, Lincoln Center is the home to twelve different independent resident arts companies. From the grandeur of The Metropolitan Opera to the jubilant spirit of Jazz at Lincoln Center, there is something for everyone. Discover the wide array of programming presented by Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (entitled "Lincoln Center Presents”) through the American Songbook series; Great Performers; Lincoln Center Festival; Lincoln Center Out of Doors; Midsummer Night Swing; the Mostly Mozart, Tully Scope, and White Light Festivals; family events; and the Emmy Award-winning Live From Lincoln Center broadcasts.

Lincoln Center
20 Lincoln Center Plaza
New York, NY
(212) 875-5000
www.new.lincolncenter.org

Philip Johnson Glass House Tours

The the Glass House introduces three new tours and launches a new program, third Thursdays, in addition to its existing tour options. Three new two-hour tours ($45 each) offer visitors the opportunity to dive deeper into the essential elements of the 47-acre site - architecture, art and landscape – by focusing on the unique details surrounding the fourteen structures and the world-class private art and design collection.The architecture tour offers guests the opportunity to learn how the Glass House campus serves as a 50-year Diary of architectural history by exploring the architects, theories and history; buildings, materials and technologies; and preservation challenges of Modern architecture.

Third Thursdays: Conversations in Context: Leading minds in the fields of architecture, art, design, history, landscape and preservation will serve as hosts of this special curated tour. They will provide narrative, interpretation, and personal inspiration while walking the Glass House site with an intimate group of visitors. Following the tour, guests will gather for a reception on the site. ($150 per person, per evening.)

Philip Johnson Glass House
199 Elm Street
New Canaan, CT
www.philipjohnsonglasshouse.org