S tudents around the city return to school this week. But summer’s not over, and we’ve got the outdoor fun to prove it.
Monday, August 26
From 8 to 10 p.m. on Broadway Island (near Crêpes Choupette), the Yale Student Salsa Society holds this summer’s final installment of Salsa Under the Stars, a salsa dance practice session that’s free and open to all. The soundtrack comes courtesy of DJ Christie, who “specializes in Latin, Hip Hop and Top 40.” Free; weather permitting.
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Tuesday, August 27
If you didn’t know, now you do: the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce is an astonishing 225 years old. To celebrate, the business development and advocacy organization is throwing a 225th Anniversary Summer Celebration Bash from 4 to 7 p.m. at the much younger Canal Dock Boathouse (475 Long Wharf Dr, New Haven; partially pictured above). Organizers promise “a festive summer evening” of “delicious food tastings, wine and spirits samples, celebration cake and live music—all while networking and mingling with over 200 members of our regional community…” $55, or $45 for the Chamber’s members, who are officially dubbed “partners.”
Wednesday, August 28
Aiming to perform “the music of the Swing era” as if that era were still in full swing, the seven-piece Survivors Swing Band begins a free hourlong show at 6:45 p.m. on the East Haven Town Beach (148 Cosey Beach Ave, East Haven). “Bring your lawn chairs and beach blankets and enjoy the music!”
Thursday, August 29
Elm Shakespeare Company, whose annual weeks-running Shakespeare in the Park production—this year, of The Comedy of Errors—finishes this coming Sunday, is throwing a fundraising gala before tonight’s free 8 p.m. performance in Edgerton Park (75 Cliff St, New Haven). Starting at 5, the affair, titled Feast & Frolic in the Park, features plenty of food and drink (apparently a cocktail luge is in the mix) as well as an auction. Tickets start at $125, with encouragements in the form of heavy discounts offered to first-timers ($75) and younger attendees ($50).
Friday, August 30
Given New Haven’s leftward lean, the winner of the city’s Democratic mayoral primary is virtually assured a victory in the general. So you could argue that the primary really decides who the next mayor will be. With the primary vote fast approaching on Tuesday, September 10, you may want to hear from the two remaining candidates—incumbent Toni Harp and challenger Justin Elicker—themselves. You can do that during a free and public mayoral candidate forum from 7 to 8:30 p.m. in Yale’s Sudler Hall, which is on the second floor of William L. Harkness Hall (100 Wall St, New Haven).
Meanwhile, starting at 8:30 p.m., you can take in the last outdoor screening of the city’s 2019 Friday Flicks series, wherein a different family-friendly film is shown in a different public park every Friday night. Tonight’s movie is the original animated version of Beauty and the Beast, and the location is Scantlebury Park (139 Ashmun St, New Haven). Free.
Saturday, August 31
The 39th annual Odyssey Festival celebrates Greek traditions and culture at St. Barbara Greek Orthodox Church (480 Racebrook Rd, Orange; 203-795-1347). Held yesterday, today and tomorrow from noon to 10 and Monday from noon to 7, the festival promises customary and gourmet food, cooking demos, a marketplace, cultural presentations, traditional dance performances and lessons, live music, kids’ activities and a raffle. Free to attend.
Sunday, September 1
For three hours starting at 5:30 p.m., New England Brewing Company (175 Amity Rd, Woodbridge; 203-387-2222) offers a chance to try beers you can’t easily find in bars or stores. It’s a “rare and vintage bottle tasting fundraiser,” whose beneficiary is Smilow Cancer Hospital. $45.
Written and photographed by Dan Mims.
