'BIG READ' EVENTS IN BRIDGEPORTThe Barnum Museum presents "Shadows Around the World: Puppet Performance" with Jim Napolitano of Nappy's Puppets, Sat 2 p.m., at the museum, 820 Main St. 331-1104.Memoir writing event Sat 2 p.m., Bridgeport Public Library, Burroughs-Saden Classroom, 925 Broad St, free. 576-7403.

"Little Read: "Half and Half" by Lensey Namoika, Sat 10:30-11:30 a.m., Bridgeport Public Library's North Branch, 3455 Madison Ave., Bridgeport. 576-8113.

"Hollywood Highlights Chinese-American Families" with the film "Dim Sum" (comedy, 1985) Sat 1 p.m., Bridgeport Library, 924 Broad St. 576-7403.

MOTHERS-DAUGHTERS TEAIn celebration of Shelton's 2008 Big Read selection, Amy Tan's "Joy Luck Club" a free mothers and daughters tea Sat 2 p.m., Stockbridge's Gourmet Cheesecakes, 509 Howe Ave., Trumbull. Live Chinese music. Ages 12 and up please. www.plumblibrary.org.

DOGWOOD FESTIVALThe 73rd annual Dogwood Festival is Fri-Sun, around the Greenfield Hill Congregational Church, Fairfield, with crafts, food, music, and more. 259-5596 for schedule, rates and directions and parking information.

MOTHER'S DAY ART SHOW AND SALEFriends of Hall-Brooke present their 6th annual Mother's Day Art Show and Sale a special preview Fri 5-7 p.m.; gala Sat 5-8 p.m.; Sun noon-4 p.m., at 47 Long Lots Road, Westport. Free admission to all events. 221-8885.

'STATE OF THE ARTS' EVENTThe Black Rock Art Center will host it's second annual State of the Arts round table discussion today 7 p.m., at the center, 2838 Fairfield Ave., Bridgeport. With moderator Ryan Odinak, Executive Director of Fairfield Arts Council. Open to public. 367-7917.

'SLOWING DOWN' AUTHOR IN STRATFORDAuthor and therapist Abby Seixas, LMHC, Med., presents "Finding the Deep River Within: The Art of Slowing Down in a 24/7 World" Fri 7:30-9 p.m., Christ Church Stratford, 2000 Main St. 375-4447.

MOTHER GOOSE EVENTMother Goose Mother's Day Fair Sat 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, 526 Amity Road, Bethany. Tag sale, jewelry, games, food and peach cobbler. Rain or shine. 393-0066.

CHINESE YOUTH OPERAChildren's Beijing Opera Troupe performs Fri 7 p.m., Eastern Middle School, 21 Hendricks Ave., Greenwich. $20, $15 students and children. www.creativeconnections.org.

CIRCUS IN HARTFORDRingling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey: Over the Top today 7 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m., 7 p.m.; Sat 11 a.m., 3, 7 p.m.; Sun 1 and 5 p.m., XL Center, One Civic Center Plaza, Hartford. $15.25 and up. 368-1000.

'FEET TO THE FIRE' FESTIVAL"Feet to the Fire" Eco-Arts Festival Sat noon-5 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park, Newfield Street, Middletown. Emphasis on climate change. (860) 685-3355.

EVENTS AT TEMPLE ISRAEL Shabbat Experience Fri 7 p.m, with dinner. 14 Coleytown Road, Westport. $18, $13 children. Also, Erev Shabbat Service with Rabbi Andrew S. Davids on "Politics and People: A Reform Zionist Perspective as Israel Turns 60" Fri 8 p.m.; Pop Shabbat for ages 2-7 Sat 9:15 a.m. 227-1293.

EASTON EVENTS "String Fingers" Fri at 7 p.m. at the Bradley Hubbell House, 535 Black Rock Turnpike, in a fundraising reception for the Easton Arts Council's juried art and sculpture show. Proceeds from both the reception and art show sales will help the restoration of the Bradley Hubbell House and further the arts in Easton.

Admission to the catered reception is $25 per person. 261-0175.

The art show is free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat and Sun and 11 and May 17 and 18.

The Easton Garden Club's annual Garden Mart will be held Sat from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Firehouse Green, at the intersection of Sport Hill and Center roads.

There will be more than 600 perennial plants in pots priced from $2 to $10. An "Ask the Experts" table will be staffed by knowledgeable club members to assist less experienced gardeners.

There will also be hanging baskets, Mother's Day gift plants, herbs and an assortment of rare and hard-to-find annuals. There will also be a baked goods booth. The Garden Mart will be held rain or shine. 371-4457.

EARTH DAY IN FAIRFIELDAn Earth Day Celebration will be held Sat from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Fairfield Warde High School on Knapps Highway. More than 80 exhibitors.

BUDDHIST EVENTCall for schedule and rates of other events. 268-3863.

CRUISES TO SHEFFIELD ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE IN NORWALK HARBORThe Norwalk Seaport Association presents ferry rides from the ferry dock at Washington and Water streets, South Norwalk, Sat and Sun, holidays May-Sept. 28; Mon-Fri June 23-Aug. 29. $20, $12 children, $5 children ages 3 and under. 838-9444 or visit www.seaport.org.

TRINITY Healing and Meditation Circle Fri 7:30 p.m., Newtown Congregational Church, 14 West St., Newtown. $15. www.trinityproduction.org.

QUASSYFor Mother's Day, mothers with children get free ride wristband and chicken dinner.At Route 64, Middlebury. General admission free, wristbands $19.95, $15.95 children, parking $5. $9 for Saturation Station and Beach. 1-800-FOR-PARK.

LAKE COMPOUNCEOpens Sat 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Hours this weekend: at the park, At 22 Lake Ave., Bristol. $33.95, $24.95 children; $16.95 seniors. (860) 583-3300.

WISDOM HOUSE"The Gift of My Mother: Celebrating Anne Morrow Lindbergh" with her daughter Reeve Sat 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. 229 East Litchfield Road, Litchfield. $35.Labyrinth walks, retreats offered. (860) 567-3163.

On Tuesday, May 13th from 6:00-8:30pm, Stamford Downtown merchants will be hosting a special "Open House" to welcome in the busy spring wedding season. This early evening event is designed for brides, grooms, their family & friends and event planners. The evening will feature special events at each of the participating venues such as . . .

A "Marisa Bridals" trunk show with 10% off all Marisa Bridal gowns at The Bridal Suite.

Music & Hors Devourers at James Daniel Entertainment & Video. Come meet some of the hottest D.Js, bandleaders and event producers in Fairfield County.

Stop in and meet the golf professionals/owners of Downtown Golf. Be a part of their wedding registry or plan a bachelor/bachelorette party.

Pick up a wedding/shower gift or plan to register at Bedford's latest gallery Artistic Hand Blown Glass.

JAZZ CONCERT IN TRUMBULLFive Peas in a Podd, of the Hartt School of Music, present jazz Sat 7:30 p.m., Trumbull Congregational Church, 3115 Reservoir Ave., Trumbull. Reception follows. $10, $5 teens, children free. 268-2433.

QUARTETTO GELATOEnsemble Quartetto Gelato Sat 8 p.m., Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, 200 Barlow Road, Fairfield. With an opera tenor. $30-$40. 254-4010 or 1-877-ARTS-396.

TRIBUTE TO HARRY CHAPINA tribute concert to Harry Chapin with the Steve Chapin Band Fri 7:30 p.m., Shubert Theatre, 247 College St., New Haven. With Bill Pere and his L.U.N.C.H. Ensemble. $18-$20. 562-5666.

JIM BRICKMAN AT SHUBERTJim Brickman Sun 3 p.m., Shubert Theatre, 247 College St., New Haven. $35-$60. 562-5666.

GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRAGlenn Miller Orchestra Sun 7 p.m., Rich Forum, 307 Atlantic St., Stamford. $31-$39. 325-4466.

PANIC AT THE DISCOThe Honda Civic Tour with Panic at the Disco, Motion City Soundtrack, The Hush Sound and Phantom Planet Sat 7 p.m., Chevrolet Theatre, 9 South Turnpike, Wallingford. $35. 368-1000.

GILKYSON, GORKA AND EBERHARDTEliza Gilkyson, John Gorka and Cliff Eberhardt today 8 p.m., Seabury Center, 45 Church Lane, Westport. $35, $5 youth. 222-7070.

ROBERTA PIKET IN MILFORDPianist Roberta Piket Fri 8 p.m., Milford Center for the Arts, 40 Railroad Ave. South. With Billy Mintz on drums, Tony Marino on bass. $12. 878-6647.

SPRING CONCERT IN MILFORDLauralton Hall's annual spring concert today 7:30 p.m., Parsons Auditorium, 70 West Main St. With "Lion King" medley. Free. 877-2786.

STAMFORD YOUNG ARTISTSStamford Young Artists Philharmonic Sun 7 p.m., Palace Theatre, 61 Atlantic St., Stamford. www.syap.org.

AT RIDGEFIELD PLAYHOUSEGin Blossoms, with guest One Lone Car, Fri 8 p.m. $55. "Sleeping Beauty" Sat 11 a.m., 2 p.m. $15. At 80 East Ridge. 438-5795 or www.ridgefieldplayhouse.org.

MUSIC AT SILVERMINE TAVERNThe Bearcats Dixieland jazz buffet dinner today 6:30-9:30 p.m. No music charge; The Ted Rosenthal Quartet Fri 8-10:30 p.m.; The Giacomo Gates Quartet Sat 8-10:30 p.m., 194 Perry Ave., Norwalk. $8. 847-4558 or www.SilvermineTavern.com.

ORCHESTRA NEW ENGLANDOrchestra New England's "Music for the Theater" Fri 8 p.m., Battell Chapel, College and Elm streets, New Haven. With conductor James Sinclair. Violin concerto by Mark Kuss, soloist Eric Pritchard. $20-$40. 562-5666.

NEW HAVEN SYMPHONY GALAThe New Haven Symphony Orchestra's annual gala fundraiser "Splendor of the Seasons," Sat 6:30 p.m., Yale University Commons, New Haven. Cocktails, dinner, live auction. $200. 931- 2997 or www.newhavensymphony.org.

NEIGHBORHOOD MUSIC SCHOOLGreater New Haven Youth Ensembles Spring Concert Sun 2:30 and 4 p.m. at Battell Chapel, College and Elm streets, New Haven. Free. 624-5189 or www.nmsmusic.org.

CHESHIRE CONCERTCheshire High School Jazz Invitational Fri 7 p.m., Thorp Auditorium, 525 South Main St. Jonathan Law High School jazz band also performs. $10-$15. 699-9494.

AT UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORDArlo Guthrie in "Music for a Change," a benefit concert, today 8 p.m., Lincoln Theater, 200 Bloomfield Ave., West Hartford. $35-40. Benefits Huntington's Disease Society. (860) 768-4228 or www.musicforachange.com.

NEW YORK WOODWIND QUINTETThe Treetops Chamber Music Society presents the New York Woodwind Quintet Sat 6 p.m.; Sun 4 p.m., Treetops Studio, 359 Merriebrook Lane, Stamford. $40. 979-6051.

JAZZ IN BETHELPete Walrath Trio Sun 5-7 p.m., Pizza Lauretano, 291 Greenwood Ave., Bethel. $5. 792-1500.

BETHEL MUSIC CENTERThe Bethel Music Center reopens with celebration today, Fri 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sat 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., 273 Greenwood Ave., Bethel. Demonstrations, classes, more. 792-4304.

BEN FOLDS AT WEST CONNSinger/songwriter/pianist Ben Folds with guest Julia Nunes Fri 8 p.m., O'Neill Center, Lake Avenue Extension, Danbury. $27. 837-8499.

WCSU Orchestra's "Mother's Day" concert Sun 3 p.m., Western Connecticut State University, 181 White St., Danbury. 837-8350.

AT THE PALACE, WATERBURYWaterbury Symphony Orchestra presents "Leroy Anderson Centennial Pops Celebration" Sat 8:15 p.m. $20-$75; Mother's Day Soul Classic with Freddie Jackson, Russell Thomkins Jr. and the New Stylistics, and more Sun 7 p.m. $55-$65. Natalie Cole Tues 7:30 p.m. $40-$70; Lyrics Cabaret follows Tues 9:30 p.m. $10. At 100 East Main St. 755-4700 or www.palacetheaterct.org.

COAST GUARD MUSICUnited States Coast Guard Concert Band presents "Made in America" Sun 2 p.m., Leamy Hall Auditorium, Mohegan Avenue, New London. Free. (860) 701-6826.

AT GARDEMike Super Magic and Illusion Sat 7 p.m. $15-$20.325 State St. New London. (860) 444-7373 or gardearts.org.

AT FOXWOODS In the Fox Theatre: United States Fight League MMA Fri 7 p.m. $40-$150. In the Atrium Lounge: Steve Smith and the Nakeds today 8:30 p.m.; Fri and Sat 9:30 p.m.; Double Fisted Sun-Wed 8:30 p.m. In the Club: Back to Back today-Sun 8 p.m. At Route 2, Mashantucket. 1-800-200-2882 or foxwoods.com.

AT MOHEGAN SUNMohegan Sun Boulevard, Uncasville. In the Arena: Mary J. Blige and Jay Z: Heart of the City Tour today 7:30 p.m. $95-$150. In the Cabaret: Albano's Spring Fling Dance Thing Fri and Sat 7:30 p.m. $30. Petula Clark Sun 7:30 p.m. $50. In the Wolf Den, where shows are free: Decade by Dezyne today, Mon 7 p.m.; Sheena Easton Fri and Sat 8 p.m.; The Marshall Tucker Band Sun 7 p.m.; Stone Canyon Tues 7 p.m.; Rush Hour Wed 7 p.m. 1-888-226-7711 or www.mohegansun.com.

AT WESLEYANAnthony Braxton today 8 p.m., Crowell; Organ Romp today 10 p.m., Memorial Chapel; West African Drumming and Dance concert Fri 3 p.m., Crowell Hall; Ives Vocal Marathon — "Songs of Peace and War" Sat 8 p.m., Memorial Chapel, $5. At Washington Terrace, Middletown. (860) 685-7871.

Coffeehouses

BRANFORD FOLK MUSIC SOCIETYThe Branford Folk Music Society presents Inca Son Sat 8 p.m. in the auditorium of the First Congregational Church of Branford, 1009 Main St., Branford Green. Peruvian ensemble with music and dance of the Andes. $16, $14 members and $3 for children. 488-7715 or visit http://folknotes.org/branfordfolk/
WHEN:Tuesday, May 13, 2008, 6:00-8:30pm
PLACE:Black & white balloons along Bedford Street will designate participating Bedford Street merchants who include

Artistic Hand Blown Glass, 168 Bedford Street
Bridal Suite, 95 Bedford Street
Downtown Golf, 125 Bedford Street
James Daniel Entertainment & Video, 125 Bedford Street
Reflection's Salon, 227 Bedford Street, 2nd floor
Schakolad Chocolate Factory, 172 Bedford Street
Restaurants offering "specials" for the evening's include
The Brick House Bar and Grill, 244 Bedford Street
Republic Grill, 235 Bedford Street
Remo's Brick Oven Pizza, 35 Bedford Street
Flowers by Ruth Ridgeway Events & pastries by DiMare Pastry Shop
For more information call Lynn McGee at The Bridal Suite 203-964-1404