From haiku to Harry Potter cosplay to dog and cat (and maybe lizard) photos with Santa, you can do it yourself this week, albeit with helping hands.
Monday, December 10
Yaleโs Luce Hall (34 Hillhouse Ave, New Haven) is hosting a pair of haiku workshops led by Japanese poet Sho Otaka. The first, starting at 11:30 a.m., is only for โadvanced Japanese learners.โ But the second, happening from 4 to 6 p.m., is for โeveryone,โ thanks to the presence of an interpreter. Free.
Musical improvisation isnโt normally associated with the organ, but it is today from 4 to 5 p.m. at Trinity Church on the Green (230 Temple St, New Haven; pictured above), where students at Yaleโs Institute of Sacred Music are giving โa one-hour improvisatory recital.โ Free.
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Tuesday, December 11
At Fussy Coffee (290 Winchester Ave, New Haven), Shelton-based Rustle Floral Co. is leading a holiday centerpiece workshop starting at 6:30 p.m. A $50 ticket gets you โbushels of holiday foliageโฆ along with a galvanized pail container, gilded holly, pine cones, ball ornaments, cinnamon sticks, red berries and ribbonโ to play with, as well as โone drink (beer, wine or coffee) and family-style apps.โ Just be sure to bring your own clippers.
At 7 p.m., the Institute Library (847 Chapel St, New Haven; 203-562-4045) is putting on the latest installment of its Listen Here series, in which actors with the New Haven Theater Company read short stories curated by editors of the New Haven Review. The theme this time is โThe Price We Sometimes Pay,โ and the stories are DH Lawrenceโs Rocking-Horse Winner and Michael Lowenthalโs Ordinary Pain. $10 suggested donation.
Wednesday, December 12
At Geronimo (271 Crown St, New Haven; 203-777-7700), which boasts โthe largest
Or, from 6 to 9, you can drink your fill at Amaranteโs Sea Cliff (62 Cove St, New Haven; 203-467-2531), where a gingerbread house workshop, whose $60 tickets include candy-covered house fixings as well as โunlimited wine, soft drinks and light bites,โ is being led by โour award-winning chefs.โ Along the way, an โexpert chocolatier will be demonstrating the art of tempering chocolateโ and constructing a Belgian โchocolate Swiss chalet,โ which will be given to one attendee as a grand prize.
Thursday, December 13
Described as โa popup market with free live performances, arts and craft demonstrations and photo opportunities,โ the city is launching a four-day Holiday Village outdoors in Temple Plaza (between Chapel, Temple, Crown and College Streets), happening from noon to 7 p.m. through Saturday and noon to 6 on Sunday. Items for sale are set to include home and holiday decor, beauty products, locally authored books, handmade toys, puzzles and vintage music records.
Wizardfest, which aims to recreate an adult, muggle-friendly version of the Yule Ball from Harry Potter lore, starts at 7 p.m. at Space Ballroom (295 Treadwell St, Hamden). Components include DJed dancing, โtrivia, games,
Friday, December 14
Yesterday through Sunday at Long Wharf Theatre (222 Sargent Dr, New Haven; 203-787-4282)โwith three 8 p.m. showtimes through Saturday, plus a 3 p.m. matinee that day and a 2 p.m. one on SundayโAnne Tofflemire, a longtime veteran of the stage whoโs also a Yale School of Drama lecturer and Neighborhood Music School instructor, presents โA Midwinter Nightโs Dream,โ performing โa glittering concert of
Saturday, December 15
โโฆ from the enchanting party where
After seven years, local show producer Taco Hut is shutting down, but not before one last hurrah. Located at The State House (310 State St, New Haven) and billed as โa celebration of love, diversity, Latinx unity and boundless musical energy,โ the show features locally connected acts JOATA, a.k.a. Taco Hut founder Josรฉ Oyola-Vรฉlez, and Ceschi, whose โsignature mix of hip hop, pop and folk music is heavily influenced by Caribbean nueva trova.โ Rounding out the bill are punk/glam band Corner Soul and singer-songwriter Ani Cordero. 8 p.m. $12.
Sunday, December 16
In an annual tradition at the New Haven Animal Shelter (81 Fournier St, New Haven; 203-946-8110), your furbabiesโand possibly furless companions, like a past gecko who came throughโcan get a photo with Santa from noon to 3, though youโll be the one taking the picture. โLight refreshmentsโ will be available and donationsโof money, or of โanimal treats, food, toys and accessoriesโโaccepted.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Image depicts the nave of Trinity Church on the Green. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.