I t’s mid-August, but—thanks to an epic slew of outdoor adventures both familiar and new—this week proves summer’s not done yet.
Monday, August 15
As of November 2015, Connecticut had its first “Kid Governor,” rising sixth-grader Elena Tipton. Like all dutiful politicians, she’s touring around speaking to her constituents. Today at 4 p.m., she stops at the Ives Main Library to explain her “Campaign for Kindness platform and how she and other students are working to make Connecticut a kinder state.” 133 Elm Street, New Haven. (203) 946-8130.
Tuesday, August 16
The New Haven Land Trust presents “An Evening with Feathered Friends” at the Quinnipiac Meadows/Eugene B. Fargeorge Preserve (1040 Quinnipiac Ave, New Haven). The itinerary includes a “bird walk” through the preserve’s wetlands/forest/grasslands and a “live bird of prey show including owls, hawks and kestrels.” 6 to 8 p.m. Free.
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Wednesday, August 17
Surprise: protecting the environment starts with your plate—mostly, the extent to which it leaves out the meat. The film Cowspiracy (2014), screening tonight as the last in Promoting Enduring Peace’s “Earth 2030: Envisioning a Sustainable Future” summer movie series, wonders why that should come as such a surprise in the 21st century. “[Uncovering] the most destructive industry facing the planet today and [investigating] why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it,” tonight’s 7 p.m. screening—held at Books & Company (1235 Whitney Ave, Hamden; 203-248-9449)—gets a 6:30 intro from Dr. Matthew Riley, a lecturer at the Yale Divinity School and Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies. $5 gets you admission plus a $5 credit with the host.
Thursday, August 18
“There’s magic in the woods,” Elm Shakespeare Company says about its 21st summer of presenting Shakespeare in Edgerton Park. Starting tonight and finishing September 4—with all shows at 8 p.m. and no shows on Mondays—the source material this time around is one of The Bard’s most popular: A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As always, there’s no admission fee, though donations are welcome, as are blankets, lawn chairs, picnics and “merriment” as early as 6:30. 75 Cliff Street, New Haven.
Friday, August 19
The 2016 Connecticut Open at the open-air Connecticut Tennis Center at Yale (45 Yale Ave, New Haven; 877-896-2908) brings two of the world’s top 10 and 11 of the world’s top 20 female racket-swingers to New Haven. The qualifying rounds, accessible for a mere $7 per ticket, get going today at 10 a.m., followed by the first round of the main draw ($26 adult; $13 junior) this Sunday at 11 a.m.
Saturday, August 20
From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Broadway Island hosts the first New Haven Chalk Art Festival, which invites “children, amateur artists, students, professional artists and artist groups” to create a “masterpiece” with chalk. Along the way, there’ll be Ashley’s ice cream, live jazz, a balloon artist and discounts throughout restaurants and retailers associated with festival organizer The Shops at Yale, plus live muraling by top local chalk artist Michael Micinilio. Free to attend.
During the same window, the 42nd annual Milford Oyster Festival entices oyster cultists with 35,000 oysters and the legendary rock group Blue Oyster Cult. The latter is co-headlining a long schedule of entertainment with another huge legacy act, the Marshall Tucker Band—and if that’s not enough nostalgia for you, there’s also a classic car show. The festival’s competitive angles run the gamut, from oyster shucking/eating contests to a “canoe and kayak race” to casual mini golf, while leisurely angles include beer and wine in two locations plus a massive 200-artist show of arts and crafts. Free to attend. For location and other logistical info, check the festival website.
Back in the city, from 4 to 9 p.m., the New Haven Green hosts “Opera-Palooza: An Evening of Arias and Apizza,” a.k.a. “a celebration of all things Italian.” The concert portion of the evening, featuring numerous conservatory singers from the likes of New England Music Conservatory and, naturally, Yale School of Music, is free to attend, with tickets to the “food emporium tent,” offering “samples of fresh food, wine, beer and dessert” from the likes of Goodfellas Restaurant and Thomas Hooker Brewery, going for $10 in advance or $15 at the door.
Sunday, August 21
T.J. Miller’s “Meticulously Ridiculous” standup comedy tour comes to College Street Music Hall for a three-act, 8 p.m. bill tonight. If Miller’s name sounds familiar, it may be because you’re a watcher of the HBO show Silicon Valley, where he plays the rarely decent, often hilarious head of a startup incubator. $25-30. 238 College Street, New Haven. (203) 867-2000.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations, prices and other details before attending events.
