W elcome to 2017, which has dancers, musicians and artists for starters.
Monday, January 2
Alisa’s House of Salsa (912 Whalley Ave, New Haven; 203-562-5472) isn’t wasting any time in 2017. Tonight at 7:30 it’s the studio’s first “Bachata Monday” of the year, where maestra Alisa Bowens herself is teaching “the latest moves, turns and partner work” related to the Dominican-turned-global dance style. Welcoming walk-ins, the class costs $20, with a volume discount for packages of six or 12 sessions.
Tuesday, January 3
Workforce Alliance’s American Jobs Center (560 Ella T. Grasso Blvd, New Haven), which aims to “connect people with jobs or training and employers with skilled workers,” is hosting the next class in its “Next Steps” program today from 9:30 a.m. to noon. “Is your criminal record a barrier to employment? Got laid off or tough finding a job? Need skills and resources to gain employment?” Then this might be for you. Read up on the free class’s registration and documentation requirements here.
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Wednesday, January 4
Oddball alt-pop duo The Furors, which has been caffeinatedly bouncing around New Haven’s music scene for more than 30 years, performs at Best Video (1842 Whitney Ave, Hamden; 203-287-9286) tonight at 8. Given the voluminous and uncommon entertainment the band delivers, the show’s $5 cover is a steal.
Thursday, January 5
You thought the holidays were over, but not for many Christians. Tomorrow, January 6, is Three Kings Day, celebrating the appearance of three wise men who the stories say brought gifts to a newborn Jesus Christ. A day early, from 4 to 6 this afternoon, the Wilson Branch Library (303 Washington Ave, New Haven; 203-946-2228) is offering “fun for the whole family” in the form of “stories, crafts, food and music.” Free.
Friday, January 6
After a decade of its own in New Haven’s music scene, groovy “New Wave-tronica” band Cosmic Dust Bunnies is going on “indefinite hiatus.” But not before leading one last show at Toad’s Place (300 York St, New Haven; 203-624-8623), which starts at 8 p.m. and features performances by “some of our favorite artists who have helped us grow throughout the years:” Lespecial, The Mushroom Cloud and Kyle Roberge, whose new effort is titled Black Data. $15, or $10 in advance.
Saturday, January 7
About 18 months after Luminous Flux, their first joint exhibit in Fairhaven Furniture’s River Street Gallery (72 Blatchley Ave, New Haven; 203-776-3099)—a small slice of which is pictured above—sculptor Hayne Bayless and paper artist Liz Pagano, as well as their shared fine-art lamp-making endeavor Sideways + Askew, are back for Luminous Flux (and other stories) II. With at least some of those “other stories” told by monotype printmaker Oi Fortin, the show gets an artist’s reception today from 5 to 8 p.m. Free.
At 7 p.m. at Best Video (1842 Whitney Ave, Hamden; 203-287-9286), local “world music/folk band” Dr. Caterwaul’s Cadre of Clairvoyant Claptraps plays the music of The Simpsons. Joined by “special guests,” the program includes compositions by Danny Elfman, who did the cartoon’s iconic main theme, and Alf Clausen, who organizers note has “actually been the driving musical force” behind the show. $8.
Sunday, January 8
In the middle of a comeback/commemoration tour honoring its 1996 platinum album Hot, jazz big band the Squirrel Nut Zippers—which may ring a bell for its part in the “Swing Revival” of the 1990s, with the likes of Big Bad Voodoo Daddy and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies—headlines an 8 p.m. show at The Ballroom at The Outer Space (295 Treadwell St, Hamden; 203-288-6400) tonight. The opener is Davina and The Vagabonds, a bluesy act that says it “brings edgy nostalgia to older generations and fresh new music to younger ears.” $35, or $30 in advance.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
