11 Interlaken Road, Lakeville, CT 06039. Phone: 860-435-3775.

The ninth season of the Hotchkiss School Summer Portals Chamber Music Series opens with its  first concert  July 2, 2012 at 7:30PM in the Katherine M. Elfers Hall at the Esther Eastman Music Center.  Portals music artistic director Melvin Chen and the 2012 Portals resident quartet, three of whom are new to the program will perform works by Gideon Klein, Clara Schumann and Antonin Dvooak.  Admission to the concerts are free.  Check the website for further concerts during the month of July.

38 Curtis Road, Washington, CT 06793. Phone: 860-868-0518.

Horticulture and Gathering were not just for nourishment. Native American gardens and fields also yielded raw materials to make baskets, bags, toys and a variety of useful and decorative items. The artifacts on display are from all Across America.

100 Maple St, Bristol, CT Phone: 860-583-6070.

TV, War & Cinderella reviews the events and trends of the early 1950s and its impact on the clock and watch industry, as well as the community of Bristol.  Content will extend from the close of World War II up to the mid-1950s. Members of ACWM are invited to a special opening reception of the exhibit TV, War, & Cinderella between the hours of 6:00 and 7:30pm on Friday, April 13th.  See the exhibit before the general public does!

7 South Street, Litchfield, CT Phone: 860-567-4501.

The Hour of Conflict will examine the ways in which the American Civil War im­pacted the residents of Litchfield, Con­necticut in the 1860s. The Litchfield Historical Society in­vites visitors and families of all ages to examine these questions through let­ters, diaries, photographs, and artifacts from the Historical Society's collec­tions. Articles carried by local soldiers, everyday objects used by Litchfield's children, and items related to Dr. Josiah Gale Beckwith and the Litchfield Peace Movement are just some of the col­lection pieces that will be highlighted. The museum is open Tuesday-Saturday, 11 to 5 and Sunday 1-5. The admission costs are $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students, and children over 14. Members, law students, and children under 14 are free. These prices include the cost of admission to the Tapping Reeve House and Law School.

5 Wykeham Road, Washington, CT 06793. Phone: 860-868-7756. Fax: 860-868-7247.

"Art from the Earth: Early American Stoneware" features over one hundred forty pieces of uniquely decorated stoneware, made in the Northeast between 1780 and 1880, from the collections of Edwin and Thayer Hochberg, David Behnke & Paul Doherty, and Edward & Judith Kelz. Stoneware, known for its durability, was considered the perfect material for making sturdy household necessities such as jugs, crocks, jars, pots, pans and became a staple of American life during the nineteenth century. The elaborate and unusual cobalt blue designs on stoneware are the reason these once utilitarian goods are now cherished as Folk Art. The clay also lent itself to the production of more decorative items such as dolls, vases, ink bottles and figurines which are included in this display. Led by artistic director Chris Zaima and designer Sandy Booth this exhibit features wall murals by local artists Keith Templeton and John Pitts, the former scenic artist at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City. Large and elaborate examples of stoneware are creatively displayed on beautiful antique tables, cupboards and armoires from Monique Shay Antiques of Woodbury. Many of the items in this exhibit are for sale including the furniture from Monique Shay and all of the Hochberg stoneware, with a percentage of every sale donated to the Museum. The exhibit is funded in part by a grant from The Community Foundation of Northwest Connecticut, in collaboration with the Connecticut Humanities Council. It will be on display through October 14, 2012. Associated stoneware lectures will take place every month. View www.gunnlibrary.org for more details about the exhibit and programs. Admission to the museum and its programs is free. The museum is open to the public Thursday through Saturday 10am-4pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm.

229 E. Litchfield Rd., Litchfield, CT 06759. Phone: 860-567-3063.

Works based on the Zen Buddhist Ox Herding Series about the spiritual journey to discover one’s true self. Gallery hours: Monday through Saturday10:00 am - 4:00 pm.

144 West Main St., Waterbury, CT Phone: 203-753-0381.

This exhibition is organized by Eric Denker, Ph.D., senior lecturer at the Smithsonian's National Gallery and includes ninety-five works: etchings, preliminary drawings, etching plates, sketchbooks, and photographs. Reflections and Undercurrents focuses on the art of Ernest David Roth (1879-1964). Roth was one of the most significant etchers of the first half of the twentieth century. This exhibition places the art and artist in the broader context of American and European etchers of the period.

132 Main Street, Ridgefield, CT Phone: 203.438.4519.

Six projects by artists working with salvaged materials and reclaimed objects. These works complement the series of solo FOUND exhibitions currently in the galleries by artists Barrão, Jim Dingilian, Roy McMakin, Regina Silveira, Kathryn Spence, and Xu Bing.

43 Main Street, Danbury, CT Phone: (203) 743-5200, .

On Saturday, June 9, the Danbury Museum & Historical will host a full day of events celebrating the opening of their 2012 Summer/Fall exhibit 'Covering All the Bases: A Pictorial History of Danbury Baseball.'  The day begins at 10:00 a.m. at 43 Main Street as the exhibit officially opens to the public. The display features a national timeline of events runs parallel to a local history timeline that illustrates significant Danbury baseball images, news and events. Featured prominently are vintage photos from the archives as well as items on loan from personal collections. At 1:00 p.m. the public is invited to attend a Vintage Base Ball game at Westerners Field in Rogers Park. The Newtown Sandy Hooks will host the Westfield Wheelmen. Authentic uniforms, music and food will be part of the ball game that will be played by 1886 rules. Tickets will be sold at the gate for $3.00. At 6:30 p.m. cheer on The Danbury Westerners NECBL team as they host 'Danbury Museum Night' at Rogers Park. Admission to the game is $5 at the gate with $2 of every ticket sold to benefit the museum.

26 Commons Drive, Litchfield, CT 06759. Phone: 860-361-6700.

The Litchfield Saltwater Grille will host Wednesday Wine Tasting Classes--$35 per person includes appetizers by Chef Albert Clugston III designed to pair with the evenings featured wines.  The  June 13th wine class will feature Oregon's Willamette Valley with Jim Morrison Pinot Noir--The Heartbreak Grape; Wednesday, June 20th--Behind the Scenes: The Style and Influence of Wine Importer Kermit Lynch with Doug Rankin; Wed., June 27th features Wine and Food Pairing, Wed., July 11th Piedmont, Italy with James Morrison; Wed., July 18th Wines of Spain with Paul Burne, Wed, July 25th The Many Faces of Riesling; Wed., August 8th France's Loire Valley with Donna Hutchinson and finally Wed., August 15th Champagne and Sparkling Wine.  Call to register for the class of your choice.