C hristmas falls right in the middle of the week this year, with a handful of belated holiday goings-on helping it last through the weekend. Music, lights, big meals and cookies: ’tis the season.
Monday, December 23
Today at noon, co-working space The Bourse’s long, open layout hosts an event with a title that’s nearly as lengthy: “A Hands-On, Do-It-Yourself Approach to Business and Economic Development for the Rest of Us,” and that’s not even getting into the subtitle. Clearly, speaker Rod Stevens has a lot to say—about urban revitalization, reclaimed workspaces and startup strategy, among other topics. Free. 839 Chapel St, 2nd Fl, New Haven; (203) 980-8202.
Tuesday, December 24
When you’ve played a monthly last-Tuesday concert for two and a half years straight, it must be jarring to realize that the next one falls on New Year’s Eve, and that your backup date, the Tuesday before, is Christmas Eve. But the show must go on. Stacy Phillips and His Bluegrass Characters (and his dobro and fiddle) go on at The Outer Space tonight at 7:30 p.m. Free.
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Wednesday, December 25
Merry Christmas! If you celebrate the holiday, you’re probably spending it between church and home. If you don’t, or if you’re looking for a shot of multiculturalism before or after the big Christmas meal, you might head over to Congregation Mishkan Israel (785 Ridge Rd, Hamden; 203-288-3877), which is hosting a concert by klezmer big band Nu Haven Kepelye at 4 p.m. “Listen, dance, sing and be joyful,” the congregation’s website says. Admission is $7 for adults, $5 for kids and seniors and $20 total for families of four or more.
Thursday, December 26
It’s not uncommon to feel a little blue the day after the big day, but these guys take it to another level. With their high-energy, high-tech brand of musical comedy, the painted rascals of Blue Man Group drum the post-Christmas doldrums away at the Shubert (247 College St, New Haven; 203-562-5666) tonight, opening a six-day, seven-show run at 7:30 p.m. $15-125.
Friday, December 27
The festive light displays (such as the ones pictured above) along the mile-long route of this year’s Fantasy of Lights, put on by Easter Seals Goodwill Industries in Lighthouse Point Park (2 Lighthouse Rd, New Haven), have been dazzling carfuls of often pajama-clad families since November 22. Admission is $10 per car, with 3D glasses—new this year—available to help the installations pop at an extra $2 a pop. This is the last weekend to get over there, as the displays are coming down after next Tuesday, December 31. The lights’ll be on from 5 to 10 p.m. tonight and tomorrow, and from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday.
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Saturday, December 28
Tonight at Foxon Firehouse Hall (200 Main St, East Haven), the East Haven Sons & Daughters of Italy’s second annual “Jingle Mingle” fundraiser promises a live DJ, “lots” of catered Italian food, raffles and your drink of choice. Literally: it’s BYOB. To buy tickets, which are $20, call (203) 627-6580 and ask for Dawn, or email [email protected]. The event lasts from 7 to 11 p.m.
Sunday, December 29
Santa’s not the only one with a thing for cookies. St. Brendan Church (455 Whalley Ave, New Haven; 203-865-0561) is having a “Christmas Carol Sing” at 4 p.m. today with a party afterwards. Admission is free, but the church asks attendees to “bring a plate of their favorite Christmas cookie to share.”
Written by Dan Mims. Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
