S chool’s in and there’s markedly less to do in town as everyone ramps up to be educated again. But this is New Haven, so even on a slow week you can find plenty going on. Just don’t forget to do your homework.
Monday, August 27
Kids return to the public schools on Wednesday. Brace yourself for the absence of that dynamic young energy in your life with Integrated Wellness Group’s Parenting Workshop, “Preventing Tearful Goodbyes,” tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Mitchell Library, 37 Harrison St., New Haven. (203) 946-8117.
Tuesday, August 28
It’s not just back-to-school for the public schools: Yale begins classes tomorrow. So today offers a last chance to browse the art exhibits at the university’s many libraries before they’re crammed with students cramming. Yale’s Cushing/Whitney Medical Library has “WWII Food and Nutrition Posters” on display through Sept. 17, plus “Maternity Care in Pictures: A Portfolio of 31 teaching Charts Showing Safe Maternity Care, 1939” in the library’s rotunda. Through Sept. 22, the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library offers “Celluloid West,” an intriguing look at the ways cinema and popular culture have shaped our sense of the western United States. Find details on all the shows (and more) here.
Wednesday, August 29
New Haven Free Public Library continues its weekly Entrepreneur Series, explaining how to create and sustain a small business in this economy. Presented by New Haven SCORE, the Community Indicators Consortium and other area consultants. 5:30 p.m., 133 Elm St., New Haven. Free, but registration is required—call (203) 946-8130 x211.
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Thursday, August 30
On the first week of school, you can’t beat a club show headlined by School Boy Humor (pictured at top), led by twin brothers Phil and Anthony Evans and hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas.. Hamden’s own Voted Most Random are also on the bill, as are The Drive, Spots and Eryn Woods. 7 p.m. at The Space, 295 Treadwell St., Hamden. (203) 288-6400. $10.
Meanwhile, Lyric Hall hosts Live Music and Spoken Word tonight. Lyric’s antique store is still recovering from a devastating August flood which caused thousands of dollars worth of damage in the basement. But the performance space sparkles on. The open-mic sign-up for performers is at 7:30 p.m. Bring your talent and, as the website notes, “you may also bring your own refreshments.” 827 Whalley Ave., New Haven. (203) 389-8885.
Friday, August 31
New Haven Museum is on a roll. The new exhibition Cycle New Haven gets an opening reception today at the institution formerly known as the New Haven Colony Historical Society (114 Whitney Ave., New Haven) from 5:30-8 p.m. (203) 562-4183. Cycle New Haven chronicles how “New Haven has played a long and impressive role at the forefront of cycling in America.”
Following the opening, bike downtown for the rescheduled Shontelle concert, 8 p.m. Originally planned for New Haven Green, then rained out, the Barbados-born singer/songwriter (whose albums include Shontelligence and No Gravity) will now perform indoors at the Shubert (247 College St., New Haven; 203-562-5666). Six hundred and eighty tickets will be available on the day of the show, on a first-come, first-served basis.
Saturday, September 1
Today is the final day you can register to show your work at City-Wide Open Studios, which will consume New Haven for three weekends in October. Since this will be the 15th annual CWOS, overseer Artspace is especially seeking “artists who incorporate crystalline image” to mark this crystal anniversary.
While Open Studios is weeks away, a more immediate community-building exercise—using sports instead of art, and with a strong anti-violence, pro-teamwork theme—anchors a neighborhood festival today from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. outside Roberto Clemente Leadership Academy, 360 Columbus Avenue. Organized by Frontline Souljaz, Hoopin’ Not Shootin’ promotes sports and fair play as an alternative to less savory street activities. Besides a whole lot of basketball playing, the event features food, family activities, info booths and a Dunkin’ Booth, at which you can attempt to douse none other than New Haven Chief of Police Dean Esserman. Info at (203) 645-1004, (203) 675-0020 or (203) 676-8232.
Sunday, September 2
Scruffy soul shouter Kevin Saint James and his pals in the Legendary Café Nine All-Stars host a Sunday After Supper Jam at—where’d ya expect?—the legendary Café Nine. 7 p.m. 250 State St., New Haven. (203) 789-8281. No cover charge; all are welcome to bring an instrument or a voice and sit in, and it’s a great lead-in for Monday afternoon’s “Labor Day BBQ & Blues” bash at the same club.
Written by Christopher Arnott.
