Weekend Planning Guide: April 2-3, 2011

(Editor's Note: There's plenty to do in and near New Canaan this weekend. Following are Patch recommendations from our 'Just Kidding' and 'Get Out' planners that ran earlier this week.)

Gary, Indiana has nothing on New Canaan!  is coming to town and will be performed by our very own Saxe Middle Schoolthespians. It's a perfect family show — catch the final performance today, April 2, at 2 p.m. 

Here's a musical of a different feather. Join Big Bird, Elmo, Abby Cadabby and friends at the  performance of "1-2-3...Imagine!" at the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Through April 3

How do Puffy Maple French Toast, Muffins and Strawberry Butter, Breakfast Health Cookies and Bacon and Vegetable Omelets sound? Your 8-14-year-old will learn to make these tasty treats in the An Early Spring Breakfast cooking class held in the Stamford kitchens of Aux Delices. 4-6 p.m. on April 3                          

Get a jump on Easter with the mixed media workshop for 5-8-year-olds atSilvermine Arts Center. Bunnies will be created out of a chunk of clay and adorned with all sorts of fun materials. 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. on April 3

Your older kids will love the  workshop, also at Silvermine Arts Center. This class for 8-12-year-olds will introduce the young artist to the large sketchbook using a variety of materials, techniques and manipulations to explore mapping, journaling and taking risks. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on April 3

And that's not all at Silvermine Arts Center this weekend. Your graffiti-loving teen (ages 12 to 15) can put that passion to good use in the  workshop, where participants, working with craypas and large paper tacked to walls, will examine the history of graffiti and experience the art form in a big way. 1-3 p.m. on April 2

Expand your little one's horizons at the  held at the New Canaan YMCA where families will explore different cultures through interactive activities, live entertainment, dance and an eclectic array of food from faraway lands. New this year will be the Chinese School of Stamford which will display a Chinese Dragon and will share customs about school, clothing and life in China. It's free and will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. on April 3

Authors on Stage: Amy Chua and Jed Rubenfeld

• Where: New Canaan Library (Lamb Room), 151 Main Street, New Canaan
• When: Sunday, 5 p.m.
• Why go: Amy Chua, author of “Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother,” received considerable press for her latest release that reveals her experiences in implementing the “extreme parenting” methods often used in China, her native land. View the full press release on the library’s website. Jed Rubenfeld, author of “Death Instinct,” will discuss his new literary thriller that fuses historical fact with fiction. He “explores one of the greatest unsolved puzzles of the American past,” according to this press release.  
• Price: Free. Registration required. To reserve a seat call 203-594-5040 or register online 

Jazz Concert with Bennie Wallace and Friends

• Where: Silvermine Arts Center, 1037 Silvermine Road, New Canaan
• When: Sunday, 4 p.m.
• Why go: Enjoy a jazz concert with Bennie Wallace, a musician at the heart of the jazz scene for more than 30 years, featuring Lissy Newman. Proceeds from the concert will benefitKEYS, which provides free music instruction to under-served children in Bridgeport. For more event information and tickets visit http://www.keysmusic.org, call 203-761-0150 or emailkeys.bridgeport@gmail.com
• Price: $20/Silvermine and Guild Artist members and faculty; $25/non-members

• Where:, 11 Farm Road, New Canaan
• When: Saturday, 7-9 p.m.
• Why go: More than 90 New Canaan High School seniors will model prom and collegiate-wear fashions at this year’s event fashion event parading a “Project Runway” theme. The dress designs of three students will be featured. For more information 
• Price: $15/students, $20 at the door; $50 per family

CIVIL WAR-RELATED EVENTS

• Where: , 224 Danbury Rd., Wilton
• When: Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Why go: Ever wonder what it was like to be a soldier during the Civil War? Here’s your chance to find out, as “Wilton High School senior Mike Kaelin leads a re-enactment demonstrating a Civil War encampment with the 14th Connecticut Regiment taking place on the society’s grounds. A lecture by fellow senior Brian Caswell takes place at 1 p.m. This Living History Day event complements the society’s new exhibit, “America’s Civil War Retrospective” open Tuesdays-Fridays 10-4, Saturdays and Sundays, 1-4 (closed Easter) through May 13. For more information .
• Price: Reenactment and exhibit are free for WHS members, $5 for non-member families.

• Where: Darien Historical Society, 45 Old Kings Hwy. N.
• When: Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; daily Tuesday-Friday through May 31
• Why go: The Darien Historical Society opened this exhibit in its Scofield Barn last weekend to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. Exhibit organizer Ken Reiss “chronicles the men from Darien who fought in the war through personal letters and memorabilia, as well as historic background on regiments and battles.  The second part of the exhibition offers a background on Fitch's Home for Soldiers, the first veterans' home in the country.” For details visit http://historical.darien.org, email info@DarienHistorical.org or call 203-655-9233.  

• Price: Members free; suggested donation for non-members.

Ridgefield Fights the Civil War

• Where:  132 Main St., Ridgefield
• When: Sunday, 4-6 p.m.
• Why go: Charlie Pankenier, a student of the Civil War for most of his life, will discuss what the North/South conflict meant for Ridgefield, describing “the dramatic, poignant and largely untold story of how our town fought the war, what it was like to be a Ridgefield foot soldier and the sacrifices of families on the home front,” according to Keeler’s announcement  For more information visit www.KeelerTavernMuseum.org or call 203-438-5485.
• Price: $15/general admission, $10/members