Weekend Activities: Music, Animals & Art

(Editor's Note: In case you missed them when we posted them earlier this week, here are some weekend activities going on in New Canaan and nearby. Want more information? It's just a click away...)

From Just Kidding (originally posted Wed. March 23):

Help feed the sting rays and sharks at a Behind-the-Scenes-Tour at The Maritime Aquarium. You'll see just what it takes to operate an aquarium, from the jellyfish "nursery" to the "fish kitchen" where meals are prepared for the aquarium's fishy residents. Participants must be 10 years and older. March 26  

Here's a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon: bring the family to the Newtown High School in Sandy Hook to catch a concert featuring Grammy award-winning folk singer, Tom Chapin. Opening the concert will be his Rising Stars, talented young performers from the area. 3:00 on March 27  

For another musical option on Sunday, visit with the Stamford Symphony's woodwinds who will perform at the Stamford Museum and Nature Center for the hugely popular 45-minute interactive program, Explore the Orchestra: Slither and Shimmy. Your 4 to 8 year-olds will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with the musicians and their instruments, and then visit the snakes, toads and lizards to see how they slither, shimmy and shake to their own music. Reserve now, as space is limited. 1p.m. and 2:30 p.m. March 27.

Get those little ones slithering as well, at the New Canaan Library where they will move to the music offered by the popular. Ages 0-5, 1:30 - 2:15 p.m. on March 26

If you have teenagers who are drawn to art, send them to at Silvermine Arts Center, where they can indulge in a day of non-stop drawing with models in sustained poses and still life set-ups. This is a unique opportunity to work alongside Silvermine faculty, Guild Artist members and students, open to all skill levels, 16 and older. Tables, easels, drawing horses, drawing boards and basic drawing supplies will be available. Two sessions during 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on March 26

From Get Out (Originally posted Thursday, March 24):

“Through Our Eyes” New Canaan High School Art Exhibition

• Where: , 681 South Ave, New Canaan
• When: Fridays, 12-4 p.m.; Saturdays and Sundays, 1-5; also Tuesdays 1-4 (display ends April 12)
• Why go: Dozens of advanced art students at the high school have submitted their work as part of this invitational exhibition coordinated by Jeanne McDonagh, who teaches AP Digital Media, Advanced Digital Media, Documentary Photography and Photoshop Design at NCHS. As a teacher, it is wonderful and even breathtaking to view what our students do everyday exhibited in a professional gallery setting. Sharing the work with the community allows all to see how the students visualize their ideas, how they explore, experiment and ignite their inner spark to create their own personal voice,” McDonagh writes. Her comments and student art may be viewed here. For  information visit the Carriage Barn 
• Price: Free, open to the public

• Where: , Talmadge Hill Road (at the corner of Lapham Road), Darien
• When: Sunday, 4 p.m.
• Why go: Enjoy this musical performance including classical music and original compositions with Don  Wallace, clarinetist Vincent Oneppo and the Haven String Quartet. All proceeds from the concert will benefit KEYS, which provides free music instruction to under-served children in Bridgeport. For more event information visit http://www.keysmusic.org, call 203-761-0150 or email keys.bridgeport@gmail.com
• Price: $25 donation requested

 Sheep Shearing Demonstration

• Where: Ambler Farm, 257 Hurlbutt Street, Wilton
• When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
• Why go: Nutmeg and Clover are ready for their spring shearing. Watch the demonstration and “learn how wool is carded and spun into yarn” as demonstrated by the Wilton Historical Society.
• Price: $10 per person