W hether Norse mythologizing or medieval play-acting, imagination’s the ticket—in addition to any actual tickets you might need to buy—this week in New Haven.
Monday, May 8
From 6 to 8 p.m., the local artist Michael Sloan—whose illustration work has been published extensively, in the Village Voice, The New Yorker, the New York Times, Forbes, Barron’s, Newsweek, Sports Illustrated, Reader’s Digest and US News & World Report, among others—headlines the opening reception for his new art exhibit at the Mitchell Branch Library (37 Harrison St, New Haven; 203-946-8117), where he’s giving a talk. The star of the art itself is Sloan’s alter-ego: the horn-haired scientist Nimbus (pictured above in painted form), who travels through time, space and other dimensions in Sloan’s clever comic/graphic novel series The Zen of Nimbus. Free.
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Tuesday, May 9
The sound of Swedish heavy metal band Amon Amarth, which headlines College Street Music Hall tonight and has a long-running obsession with viking lore, is hard-hitting but not as aurally punishing as it could be, so you can enjoy its sailing guitar solos, slick blast beats and deep, mighty roars for a whole set. Opening the 8 p.m. bill is Goatwhore, whose smithing produces a sharper, fleeter sort of metal that’ll enchant headbangers, moshers and other speed fiends. 238 College Street, New Haven. (877) 987-6487. $25-27.
Wednesday, May 10
Tonight’s free 9:30 concert at BAR (254 Crown Street, New Haven) is the calm that follows the storm. The headliner is Tall Heights, a “progressive-folk” duo singing reflective words in mellifluous harmonies. The second act is Henry Jamison, an artist with an old pedigree but a contemporary and compelling take on singing-songwriting. The opener is Oh, Cassius!, a Bridgeport-based duo that’s a little bit folk, a little bit old-country, a little bit pop, delivered with a cabaret-ish intimacy.
Thursday, May 11
In time for summer, the Yale Science Diplomats present “Eat, Play, Fun: The Science of a Perfect Weekend” at the Ives Main Library (133 Elm St, New Haven; 203-946-8835). Starting at 6:30 p.m., the hourlong talk given by three Yale scientists covers “the amazing science of some of the things we do for fun,” like “playing a favorite game with our friends or families, going out for a drink or listening to our favorite songs.” Free.
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Friday, May 12
On the third floor of the Henry C. Lee Institute of Forensic Science at the University of New Haven (300 Boston Post Rd, West Haven), the famous forensics expert Henry C. Lee offers a surprisingly inexpensive daylong seminar on “Big Data and Solving Crime.” Joined by special guests Philip Chen, an independent IT consultant and teacher at California State University, Fullerton, and Paul Connick, District Attorney for Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, the session starts at 8 a.m. and finishes at 4:30 p.m., followed by “a reception… where attendees can meet the speakers.” Tickets cost $25, or $15 for UNH students.
Saturday, May 13
The 20th Westville Artwalk began in earnest last night from 7 to 10, with open art galleries and a block party centered around Central Avenue and Fountain Street. The bash features a “dance party, wearable art fashion show and beer garden,” the latter running from 7 to 9 and costing $20 ($15 in advance). Today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., to a soundtrack of live music, an outdoor Artist and Artisan Market on Central Avenue features more than 20 vendors, while nearby Lyric Hall hosts a six-vendor Artisan Market, from 5 to 10 last night and 10 to 5 today. Guided or independent tours of more than 20 art stops around Westville happen from noon to 4, while at least 15 other activities, from acrobatics demonstrations to interactive sculpture to an Elm Shakespeare Company performance, aim to inspire and delight attendees.
Sunday, May 14
Robin Hood’s Faire, an evolving mashup of swashbuckling theatricality, medieval-style excesses and professional and amateur cosplay that pops up annually in the area, opened yesterday and continues today at the North Haven Fairgrounds (290 Washington Ave, North Haven). From 11 a.m. to 7 p.m, entertainments include a “pub sing,” stunt jousting, standup comedy, live music, circus feats and a discrete Robin Hood-centric storyline playing out across the day. Participatory activities range from archery tag to “knights school” to archery and axe throw contests, while fantastically named vendors sell weapons, fashions, magical instruments and, of course, food and drink. Single-day and “season pass” tickets cost $15 and $35, respectively, or $10 and $25 for attendees between the ages of 7 and 15.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
