Friday
YWCA Greenwich will honor 10 women leaders at the 2012 BRAVA awards luncheon Feb. 3 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. The BRAVA Awards, established in 1977, honor accomplished women for their achievements as proven executives and recognized leaders in their fields. Sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses, organizations and individuals interested in recognizing, celebrating and promoting women’s professional advancement and achievement. For sponsorship, tickets or additional information, call Samantha Conetta at 869-6501, ext. 102. Or order online at www.ywcagreenwich.org.
Just in time for Lincoln’s birthday, the Greenwich Historical Society and Greenwich Library will feature a screening of the Robert Redford-directed film “The Conspirator” at 8 p.m. Feb. 3, to be followed by an appearance by the film’s screenwriter, James Solomon, at 7 p.m. Feb. 7. “The Conspirator” is about a little-known aspect of the Lincoln assassination: The case of Mary Surratt, a Southern woman tried for taking part in the conspiracy to assassinate the president and reluctantly defended by a Northern attorney. Solomon will discuss his inspiration and subsequent research for the screenplay, 18 years in the making. He will also touch upon his conclusions regarding the guilt or innocence of Surratt. Both events at Greenwich Library Cole Auditorium, 101 W. Putnam Ave. Admission is free. Seating is first come, first served.
Saturday
Greenwich Library will kick off its inaugural “Take Your Child to the Library Day” Feb. 4. Special giveaways, activities and crafts will be held at each of the branches. At the main library, there will be a Theatreworks performance of Charlotte’s Web at 2 p.m. in the Cole Auditorium. Cos Cob Library will play I SPY all day with clues to find fun items and pictures. All those who complete the game will have their names entered into a drawing for a special prize. There will also be music for children at 10:30 a.m. and a Gingerbread Man Hunt at 2 p.m. At the Byram Shubert Library, children will be encouraged to enjoy a book and a slice of pizza. All branches will participate in a “Love Your Library” bookmark contest. For a full list of activities and crafts, visit www.greenwichlibrary.org/children.
The Annex Youth Center of Greenwich, located at 38 Field Point Road, will present the all-male a cappella group the Colgate 13 at 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Proceeds will benefit the Annex. Suggested donations are $20 per person, $50 per family. For more information, call Mark Curtis at 203-536-1092.
Chabad of Greenwich will host its annual fundraising gala Feb. 4 at the Hyatt Regency Greenwich. The festivities begin with a dinner buffet and a giving tree at 7:30 p.m., with tributes and entertainment following at 9 p.m. Elon Gold, a Los Angeles-based comedian, and the Maccabeats, a musical group, are the evening’s entertainment. Chabad members Nancy and Jeff Sturza will be “Guests of Honor” for their demonstrated leadership and volunteerism in the Chabad Greenwich community. Tickets are $360 per person. Families and corporations interested in taking out an ad in the gala journal are invited to contact the Chabad. For more information on attending this year’s gala, learning about the many activities and educational programs at Chabad of Greenwich or becoming a member, call 203-629-9059.
In conjunction with its latest exhibition, “Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos and Toys in the Attic,” the Bruce Museum will host “Walter Wick: Larger than Life” from 10:30 to 11:15 a.m. Feb. 4. Children 3 and up, along with their adult caregivers, are invited to see some of Walter Wick’s pictures projected on the big screen for an interactive observation experience. Guided by a museum educator, families will work together to solve some of Wick’s picture-book riddles. Copies of the books will be available in the museum store. Free with museum admission. The exhibit shows from Jan. 28 to April 22. For reservations, call 203-869-0376.
The Alliance Française of Greenwich will present a screening of “La Clé des champs” (The key fields) from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Feb. 4 at Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road. In the French countryside, a young boy discovers a pond outside the village which soon becomes his secret Eden. He returns, fascinated, day after day, and discovers a whole unknown world, populated by strange creatures. Through vivid imagery, the filmmakers take us on an adventure into the heart of an ecosystem close to us, yet totally unknown to us. This event is part of the Alliance Française’s Focus On French Cinema. Film in French with English subtitles. For a trailer, visit www.lacledeschamps-lefilm.com. All ages. $15/adult. $10/child. RSVP required. Contact Jeff Cordulack at 203-869-5272 ext. 239.
The Junior League of Greenwich is hosting its third annual Casino Party at the Nathaniel Witherell nursing home from 2 to 4 p.m. Feb. 4. Residents will try their luck at bingo, black jack, slots, roulette and a money wheel. Members of the community are encouraged to join volunteers from the Junior League of Greenwich, Greenwich High School and Girl Scout Cadette Troops 50737 and 50387 to cheer them on. Festivities abound with music, games and entertainment as volunteers emcee and play games alongside the 40 senior residents. The party uses tokens and prizes instead of real money. Residents will enjoy refreshments reflecting casino, Mardi-Gras and Valentine Day themes. For more information or to join the Junior League of Greenwich, contact the JLG office at 203-869-1979 or visit www.jlgreenwich.org.
Sunday
The Breast Cancer Alliance junior committee will host a “Get Fit for a Cure” fundraising event from noon to 2 p.m. Feb. 5 at Equinox gym, 16 Old Track Road. The event will raise funding to support breast health services and breast cancer support at the Hospital of St. Raphael in New Haven. Teens will sign up in teams of four people to relay for two hours per team. Events include cycling, yoga, and Zumba. Adults can register individually or in teams of two. Adults and teens can sign up by contacting info@breastcanceralliance.org, and teens can also enroll via Facebook. Cost: $50 per adult, $50 minimum for each teen team, $15 for individual teen. Call 203-861-0014 or visit www.breastcanceralliance.org.
JCC Greenwich and A Class Act NY will present a one-day “Wicked” acting workshop for kids and teens from 1 to 5 p.m. Feb. 5 at Carmel Academy. Actor Ben Cameron, who has starred in “Wicked,” “Aida” and “Footloose,” and a talent manager will work with budding thespians on scenes, songs and a dance combination from their favorite Broadway show, in addition to their own audition song. All skill levels welcome. Ages 7 – 17. Space is limited. Call JCC Greenwich to register at 203-552-1818 or visit www.jccgreenwich.org.
The Abilis Family Rock Show, starring Abilis Band Jam, a musical performance group of young people with and without autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities, will rock the Stamford JCC, 1035 Newfield Ave., beginning at 2 p.m. Feb. 5. Special guests will be the Swingset Mamas of Sirius Satellite Radio fame. Proceeds benefit Abilis Family Resources, a program of Abilis (formerly Greenwich ARC), the nonprofit serving people of all ages in the Greenwich-Stamford area with developmental disabilities. Bobby Laman, a Greenwich jazz musician, will direct the show. Tickets are $15 and available at www.abilis.us/rockshow. For more information, contact smyth@abilis.us.
Audubon Greenwich will host a series of first-Sunday bird walks from 9 to 11 a.m. through March 4 at Greenwich Point. A monthly bird walk along the Long Island Sound shore. Leaders will bring spotting scopes and help locate and ID wintering birds in the rich variety of habitats at Greenwich Point. Beginners welcome. Held in collaboration with Wild Wings, the Bruce Museum and Audubon Greenwich. Meet at the second concession stand. Wear warm clothes and bring binoculars. No charge or RSVP required. Questions? Call Cynthia Ehlinger at 203-413-6756 or Meredith Sampson at 203-637-9822.
Ongoing
New York artist Judith Gwyn Brown’s “New York Series” will be on view through Feb. 12 at the Greenwich Arts Council’s Bendheim Gallery, located on the second floor of 299 Greenwich Ave. The exhibition includes ten framed oil-on-canvas paintings that tell the stories of New York City, as well as other paintings and drawings for sale. In addition, Brown is offering commissioned pet portraits; examples are on view. A portion of proceeds from the portraits go to P.A.W.S. of the Vineyard, a nonprofit pet adoption service in Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., to help fund a spay/neuter program. Gallery hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Fri; noon to 4 p.m. Sat-Sun. Admission is free. For more information, visit www.greenwicharts.org.
The Greenwich Historical Society invites you to check out “Everyday Heroes: Greenwich First Responders” Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. “Everyday Heroes” chronicles the history of Greenwich’s fire, police and emergency medical services. The exhibition delves into headline-making Greenwich disasters from 1873 to 2010, examines how first responders dealt with past emergencies and illustrates how first response practices have evolved as the combined result of firsthand experience and technology. Kids can try on real equipment and learn what it takes to become a first responder in a hands-on gallery. Closed Christmas day. Members free. Nonmembers: Adults $10; seniors and students $8; children under six free. Through Aug. 26. Storehouse Gallery, 39 Strickland Road, Cos Cob. For more information, visit www.greenwichhistory.org or call 203-869-6899.
The Bruce Museum will present the exhibition “Bijoux: The Origins and Impact of Jewelry” from July 16 through Feb. 26. The exhibition features an array of different types of jewelry, as well as samplings of minerals, precious stones and other materials from which artists have created an infinite variety of human adornment. The exhibition investigates the wide range of materials used to make jewelry, delves into the genesis of these natural materials, and explores the economic and environmental impact of our universal attraction to sparkle. The jewelry on display comes from all over the globe, including Myanmar and India. For more information, visit www.brucemuseum.org.