N ew Haven’s extracurricular activities this week would look good on a college application, covering historical, literary, visual, culinary and musical arts—plus genetic science.
Monday, April 11
The last events in the lead-up to the Yale-hosted United Nations Global Colloquium of University Presidents, whose main two-day program begins tomorrow, happen tonight. First, at 7 p.m., Irina Bokova, director-general of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization—UNESCO, which leads the body’s charge to protect world heritage sites—presents “a lecture on confronting significant threats to the world’s cultural heritage.” Afterward, at 8 p.m., a large panel of academics from around the world discusses the coming colloquium’s theme of cultural preservation, including the question, “What gets saved, where, and who decides?” Zhang Auditorium, Yale School of Management. 164 Whitney Avenue, New Haven.
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Tuesday, April 12
Long Wharf Theatre’s second annual Moments & Minutes Festival, intended to “showcase visual art, spoken word poetry and monologues devised by students from all over the area,” begins at 7 p.m. on the playhouse’s main stage. Also meant to underscore Long Wharf’s educational programs—which serve 5- to 6,000 students each year, according to managing director Josh Borenstein—the event features 23 performers from local schools and the work of “a dozen” young visual artists “from across the region.” Free. 222 Sargent Drive, New Haven. (203) 787-4284.
Wednesday, April 13
Gateway Community College’s C.O.O.K. (“Chefs of our Kitchen”) series gives attendees the privilege of watching area culinary whizzes whip up some chow. Tonight’s guest chef is a bit of a wildcard: Wiley Mullins, head honcho at Fairfield-based Uncle Wiley’s Specialty Foods, which specializes in seasonings meant to make food that’s good for you taste, well, good. Before the cooking demo, attendees can rub shoulders with Mullins and each other during a cocktail reception “featuring an abundant selection of gourmet hors d’oeuvres.” After the demo, there’s a three-course meal “prepared by Gateway Culinary students under the chef’s direction.” All the goings-on happen in or near Café Vincenzo, “Gateway’s cozy, elegantly appointed demonstration kitchen and dining room.” $65. 20 Church Street, New Haven.
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Thursday, April 14
Tonight at the Main Ives Library (133 Elm St, New Haven), the Yale Science Diplomats, a group of graduate students in the sciences, presents “Hacking the Genetic Code: Editing Our Destiny.” Prompted by the emergence of CRISPR, “a new DNA editing tool poised to revolutionize biology, medicine and industry,” the event features three Yale researchers discussing big questions like these: “Can we use CRISPR to cure diseases, develop new crops, revive extinct species or even engineer designer babies? If we can, should we?” 6:30 p.m. Free.
Friday, April 15
Painter, cartoonist, filmmaker and longtime New Havener Tony Juliano is moving to Minneapolis, so he’s putting on Ciao!, a free going-away exhibit tonight from 7 to 9 in Lyric Hall (827 Whalley Ave, New Haven; 203-389-8885). After that it turns into a $10 going-away party, with live music as eclectic as Juliano’s art. The bill includes quirky singer-songwriter Ashley Hamel, “string quartet rock band” The Tet Offensive and “indie disco punk” group Super Scenics.
Saturday, April 16
Redscroll Records (24 N. Colony Rd, Wallingford; 203-265-7013), one of the few remaining brick-and-mortar music retailers around, is celebrating Record Store Day, which is today, and its ninth birthday, which was Tuesday, with an outdoor tent full of exclusive Record Store Day vinyl releases from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Food trucks G-Monkey and Hardcore Sweet will also be there, giving buyers something other than vinyl to put on their platters.
Meantime, College Street Music Hall (238 College St, New Haven; 877-987-6487) is having a weekend almost as varied as Redscroll’s racks. Yesterday it hosted funky “urban soul” legend Tower of Power with Jen Durkin & The Business (8 p.m.; $40-75). Tonight it’s got theatrical metal-ish act Ghost—like a necromancer priest threw Metallica and Bauhaus into a cauldron and stirred—with Tribulation (8 p.m.; $25-32). Tomorrow the stage is young four-time Grammy winner and innovative throwback Esperanza Spalding’s to rock, though she’ll do it jazzily, starting with the bass in her hands and the instrument in her throat (8 p.m.; $32-35).
Sunday, April 17
Broadway Open Markets, a springtime series of open-air marketplaces in Broadway Triangle, opens for the season today from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Organizers promise “handcrafted items from more than 20 Connecticut artisans,” including “pottery, scented candles, soaps, men’s and women’s apparel, home goods, decor and so much more,” with a live soundtrack courtesy of the Greg Sherrod Band.
Written by Dan Mims. Image is a still from the music video for Esperanza Spalding’s “Good Lava.” Readers are encouraged to verify times, locations and prices before attending events.
