B ar bingo and a bar party bookend the work week before the International Festival of Arts & Ideas works it for Labor Day Weekend.
Monday, August 30
It’s bingo night at Dive Bar (24 Ocean Ave, West Haven; 203-933-3483; no cover), just a life preserver’s throw from the beach. “Prizes every round!” 7 to 9 p.m.
Wednesday, September 1
Communication decides the fate of the world during the next Movies in the Plaza screening in Pitkin Plaza (Orange Street north of Chapel), featuring critically acclaimed sci-fi drama Arrival (2016).
sponsor message
Thursday, September 2
Local novelist, Yale alum and past Daily Nutmeg subject Chandra Prasad heads to RJ Julia (768 Boston Post Rd, Madison; 203-245-3959; free) for a book signing and author talk at 6 and 7 p.m. Her latest novel, released not a month ago, is Mercury Boys, an alchemical blend of science, magic, history and adolescence whose protagonist makes a discovery that wins her catharsis and friends, at a cost.
Meanwhile, at 6:30 on the cafe patio at Ives Main Library (133 Elm St, New Haven; 203-946-8130; free), percussionist Mark Zarrillo aims to foster “expression and connection” with an all-levels group drumming experience. “Bring your own drum if you have one.”
Friday, September 3
The dream of the ’90s is alive at Elm City Social (266 College St, New Haven; 475-441-7436; no cover), where, from 3 p.m. to close, a 1990s party features “a rooftop DJ and themed drinks.”
If a good band name is one that stands out, then Mega-Illegal Leg Farm have nailed it. Made up of local ECA students, the band’s musical identity isn’t as sharp, “cover[ing] a wide range of genres.” Find out what that means at 5:30 this evening on the deck at Best Video (1842 Whitney Ave, Hamden; 203-287-9286). No cover; tips encouraged.
Saturday, September 4
As the Delta variant surges, Saint Barbara Greek Orthodox Church (480 Racebrook Rd, Orange) is doing an “express” version of its annual Odyssey celebration of Greek food and culture today and tomorrow. That means a “drive thru” instead of a sitdown, where “we kindly ask all food to be pre-ordered for curbside pickup… and enjoyed in the comfort and safety of your own home.”
Today and tomorrow, with COVID protocols and a vaccination station in place, the International Festival of Arts & Ideas puts on Arts for Labor: Celebrating New Haven’s Helping Hands, a main stage-only mini-festival on the New Haven Green. Today’s 5 p.m. bill starts with Stratford-based SCSU alum Tafari Turner, stage name DJ Fire, who specializes in “Kompa, Zouk, Dancehall, Soca, Salsa, Samba and African beats.” Next up are The Tines, whose songs “White Sedan / Red Earth” and “In the Morning You Will Find It,” from late 2020, are laidback and poetic like a montage of a pleasant summer day where you did a lot but didn’t have much to do. Finally, Dawn Tallman, whose show-stopping set at the main festival in June had barely begun before rain literally stopped the show, returns with her major gospel talent in the headlining spot. Free; registration “strongly” encouraged.
Sunday, September 5
Today’s Arts for Labor lineup, starting at 4 p.m., is longer and more complicated, featuring “dance performances by Fairfield’s Team Leggoo and Hamden’s Mulan Dance Ensemble, poetry by Connecticut poets Josh Brown and Darlene Kascak, and musical performances by Ecuadorian accordion virtuoso Paco Godoy, Brooklyn’s Kennedy Administration, and LA’s up-and-coming superstar Durand Bernarr.” Bernarr’s scheduled performance last June was finished by rain before it could even begin, though his work emceeing the June festival’s Hair Show gave New Haveners a taste of his undeniable talent and charisma. Free; registration “strongly” encouraged.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims. Image features Dawn Tallman during her rain-shortened Arts & Ideas performance in June. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
